Using a Bible story to lead into prayer
- Published Date
- Written by Site Admin
In a Bible, read the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5:1-14 (or follow the link to read it online).
Although he was outwardly powerful and successful Naaman had a burden to bear...
...so we pray for those who, despite appearances, bear heavy burdens or dwell in a place of loneliness, guilt or despair. May they find determination, forgiveness and hope in You, Lord
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
She was a captive and a slave, but the servant girl didn’t hesitate to speak up about the power of God at work in her land through Elisha...
...so we pray all who are called to speak out in Christian ministry here in Cromer - David, James and Paul, the retired clergy, the Readers, and ourselves as we live and speak the good news of God’s redeeming love. Through our words and actions, may our families, friends and colleagues find their salvation in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
Naaman and his master misunderstood where the real power lay and, instead, put their trust and hope in the king of Israel...
...so we pray for those who are seeking fulfilment and purpose in their lives, but are looking in the wrong place, and for those who through our Christianity Explored courses are searching for answers. May they find what they are looking for - purpose, direction and redemption - in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
The king of Israel misunderstood the king of Aram’s request, and was angry because he thought that Aram was looking for trouble...
...so we pray for those troubled places of the world, where a word misunderstood, an action misconstrued or an attitude misrepresented leads to tension, anger, hatred or war. May they work to find forgiveness, peace and reconciliation in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
Elisha’s message brought reconciliation, understanding and a clear message of hope to Naaman and the king...
...so we pray for those who are peacemakers, those who work for reconciliation in broken families and divided communities, and those whose words and actions speak clearly of the hope that is to be found in Jesus. May they find strength, wisdom and clarity of purpose in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
Naaman was stressed and angry and lost his sense of proportion because things did not work out the way he had expected...
...so we pray for those who are anxious, depressed or overworked, and for whom everything is out of proportion and out of control. May they be uplifted and refreshed, and find a new sense of direction and purpose in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
Once again, Naaman’s servants served him well, calming him down and pointing him in the right direction, where he found healing and wholeness...
...so we pray for the sick and the dying - especially those that we know - their families and friends and those that care for them, the bereaved. May they find comfort, healing and wholeness in You, Lord.
Through our lives and by our prayers, your kingdom come.
What we celebrate here, Lord God, in the life of this church is yours, not ours. Yours its strength and hope; yours its faith and high endeavour. All is yours, and you are all in all. Take the strength and the weakness of our church, and let both speak of your glory. Take the hopes and the fears of our church, and let both bring us nearer to you. Take the excitement and the routine of our church, and let both be means by which your work is done. Here, in worship, we offer you your own. Christ be praised. Amen.
