Take It All - Worship
I. Importance of Worship
. more than praise & worship
. Prayer, meditation, communion, scripture reading, art
II. Time of Meditation
. 2 minutes in silence
III. Prayer Stances - Explain posture, purpose
. Form groups of 3
Read 1 Ti 2:1-4
1Ti 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
It is both our duty and our privilege to do this today.
Our duty because God commands us to pray;
Our privilege because he invites us to pray.
A. Prayer of Confession (Kneeling)
. Each person kneel
. Confess & Commit ourselves
. Kneeling is a stance of humility
The Bible teaches that when we bow our knees, we are bowing our hearts. It’s a position of humility. “If my people will humble themselves and pray . . . So as we come in confession and surrender, I want to invite you to join me by kneeling, if you’re physically able.
1 minute on own
Followed by prayer written by me for sins of the nation:
Father, you have told us in your Word to search and try our ways and turn again to you (Lam 3:40). And so we kneel before you today as individuals, as a congregation, and as Americans (Neh 9:2-3). We come with humble hearts, aware of our sins and failings (Ps 51:3). We have trampled upon your grace and taken for granted your mercy and forgiveness (Heb 10:29).
You know what we are made of (Ps 103:14). You know the content of our character (1Sam 16:7). You know that, left to ourselves, our hearts will turn to evil (Ge 6:5). We willingly admit that. Our secret thoughts, our secret desires . . . our secret lives bring us shame when exposed to the light of your truth (Ps 90:8).
We confess and plead guilty in thought and deed to our personal sins and the sins of our nation: Sexual immorality, impure thoughts, addiction to pleasure, drunkenness, greed and idolatry, occult activities, hostility, jealousy, gossip, and envy (Gal 5:19-21). We have taken innocent lives, and trampled on the sanctity of marriage (Mal 2:16). We have mismanaged your creation on one hand, and have worshiped creation rather than our creator on the other (Ro 1:23,25).
We have sinned against you and have done what is evil in your sight, so you are right when you judge and justified when you discipline us. (Ps 51:4) But you are a great and merciful God, full of compassion and mercy (Joel 2:13). And you have promised that if we confess our sins, you are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9). And so, Father, just as we have confessed, we ask you today to forgive us. We ask you to heal us. We ask you to restore to us the joy of salvation and renew a right and steadfast spirit within us (Ps 51:12). Transform us by renewing our minds (Ro 12:2) so that we might think the way you think and value what you value (1 Co 2:16). Give us hearts that are right and true and noble. And help us, Lord, to live lives that are pleasing to you (Eph 4:1) and that reflect the character of Christ to the world (2 Co 3:18). We ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.
. . . Now, Lord, as we come to you to intercede, please teach us to pray. Amen B. Stand in the Gap (standing)
#1. Pray for USA, Gov't, State, City, Local, President, etc
God, our leaders are human. We give them the authority to make decisions for the world. But they are human beings - just like us. Make them wise, God. Make them honest and kind. Give them courage. They make choices that none of us would ever want to make. Guide them. Be their example. Show them that all things work together for good for those who love you. We want to show the world that love is stronger than hate. That belief in you is stronger than indifference toward you. That light is stronger than darkness. Fill our leaders with wisdom, God. Place a reassuring hand on their shoulders when they make decisions. Let them see with clear eyes and them listen with open minds and hearts. Give them strength. Give us all strength. Amen
#2. Pray for PWUMC - Staff, Ministries, members
God, this building is brick and stone and glass, but your CHURCH is the people who will walk through the doors. We have worked hard to get to this point, God. Thank you for being with us. Let this building be a temple. Let it be a sanctuary in every sense of the word. Let it be a place we use to reach out to the rest of the world, rather than a place where we hide from it. God, your love is not new. Help us show the world your love. Let us use this place to feed the hungry, shelter the suffering, seek the lost, and lift those who are down. Thank you for bringing us to this sport, Lord. There is so much we can do from here. Amen.
#3. Pray for Families - Mom's, Dad's, siblings, extended families
God, when families get along, it's like a sweet smell from the kitchen. When families work together, it's like summer day with the windows down and a good song on the radio. But families are made of people, God. WE all have fears and doubts. We all have joys and expectations. help us to bring all those into focus. help us see the ways we can laugh together instead of the ways we clash like fingernails on chalkboards. Give us the space when we need it, even if it's in the middle of a crowded room. Help us to hold our tongues and not say things to hurt each other. We are family. We care for each other. Help us to get along with those we are closest to. Amen.
C. Hold Each Other Up (Arms help up)
Two minutes to explain from Ex 17:10-13
In Exodus 17, the people of God were attacked by a vicious but cowardly enemy – the Amalekites. It was during the early days of the exodus journey. The Bible says that when Israel “was weary and worn out,” these enemies attacked them from behind and “cut off all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God” (Dt 25:18). The Amalekites attacked those who were innocent and defenseless.
The Amalekites were terrorists.
Reading from EX 17:10 “So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. [11] As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. [12] When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset. [13] So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
What happened here? Moses sent the army to fight the enemy. But while the army fought a physical battle, Moses fought a spiritual battle.
Why? Because physical wars are won on the spiritual battlefields.
Today we fight the same spiritual enemy. In cowardice, this enemy still attacks the innocent and defenseless ones. He lacks the courage to take on an army head-on. And like the children of Israel, we have a battle to fight on two fronts. Yes, we must support our troops as they defend us against our human enemies. But we must also fight the spiritual battle, just like Moses did, by lifting our hands and our voices together in united prayer.
1 Timothy 2:8 “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer.”
While one person prays, the other two people hold his or her arms up, like Aaron and Hur.
#1. Pray for our schools - PH, PHS, Lakeview, Congress, Plaza, Antioch, Barry, Platte County
#2. Pray for our neighborhoods, neighbors, communities
#3. Pray for our Peers/Friends
D. Hands on, Sit down
. Each person takes a turn sitting while the others are praying, one pray aloud
. God's blessing, protection, provision, favor for each others lives and ministry
E. Hold hands
. Pray for Flite Ministries
. Ministry, Staff (Roy & Rachel), Adult Leaders, Student Leaders, all students, Sunday School
IV. Communion & Giving
. Ginger to lead