Prayer Guide
- Sunday, May 24th -- Pentecost Sunday: Almighty God, we remember on Pentecost that You sent Your Holy Spirit upon the first followers of our Lord Jesus and filled them to overflowing. We would ask that You would do the same for us, here at Asbury Church. Fill us again, oh God! We are in deep need of Your indwelling Presence in us. Take away our dryness and rot. Remove from us our lethargy and apathy for the spiritual things of Christ. Fill us with the true River of Life that can only come from You! We ask this in the Name Above All Names, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
- Monday, May 25th: Prayerfully read/listen to Luke 24:45-49 with Acts 1:12-15. Based on these Scriptures, what were the primary activities of the followers of Jesus in those days as they waited (note the number of people gathered – v. 15)? Do you think these actions affected the coming of the Spirit? In other words – what if they all just scattered throughout Jerusalem, stayed apart from one another, and sat around doing nothing? How important was it that the Body remained together and in one accord? What does this tell us?
- Tuesday, May 26th: Prayerfully read/listen to Acts 2:1-4,6,11, and 41 (or vv. 1-41 if you have time). Note that, when they gathered for the 10 days between the Ascension and Pentecost, there were 120 people (Acts 1:15). By the end of the day on Pentecost, the Lord, “add that day about three thousand souls.” (2:41 NASB). What would you have been thinking if you were one of the original 120? Would you have welcomed all of that change? What would we do if Asbury suddenly had an influx of 3,000 people? How can we rely on the Holy Spirit so that we are obedient to whatever changes God wants to bring into our lives, whether personally, in our families or work, in our church, or in other areas?
- Wednesday, May 27th: Prayerfully read/listen to Acts 2:42-46. Note specifically how often the people were taking the actions that are listed in these verses: sometimes? Occasionally? Once in a while? Underline or circle what the Scriptures say about these moments. What does this tell you about how the Holy Spirit was moving among the people at that time. Do you think that was a sort of, “one and done” experience; that it was unique to that time and place in the life of the church? Why or why not? Is it possible for the Holy Spirit to move among the people of Asbury in a similarly profound way? What might happen?
- Thursday, May 28th: Prayerfully read/listen to Ephesians 5:18 – why are we told to be filled (imperative) with the Spirit and not be filled with wine and alcohol? Why does Paul use this comparison? Have you ever been filled with alcohol, or been around someone who has? What was that like? How did the alcohol affect you or that person? Based on what you know about inebriation, why is being filled with the Holy Spirit a similar experience – but so much better?!
- Friday, May 29th: Prayerfully read/listen to Ephesians 1:3-14. Write down every blessing Paul lists in this passage that belongs to us as a result of our belonging to Christ Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Was there anything new to you that you did not already know about? What does Paul say specifically about the Holy Spirit in these verses? What is astonishing to you about what Paul reveals to us in this passage? Take some time to pray through these verses!
- Saturday, May 30th: Review each of these Scriptures, questions, and prayers that you have worked through this week. Which one, or which theme, resonated with you? Pray through these things again as the Spirit leads you!
- Sunday May 31st:Lord God, You alone are the Giver of every good and perfect gift. There is no variation or shifting shadow with You. We can always trust Your character, because You never change. You are always good, always loving, always compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in mercy, truth, forgiveness, and justice. We can come to You with every concern, knowing that You will alwaysrespond quickly in the best possible way for Your glory, others’ gain, and our good. Thank You for Your faithfulness towards us. Amen.
- Monday June 1st: Prayerfully read or listen to John 2:1-12. This wedding occurred at the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. He was not yet well-known as a preacher or teacher, let alone as a miracle worker. The people at the wedding simply knew Him as a family friend. Imagine yourself as a wedding guest. Do you think you would know what was going on as you took a glass of this amazing wine? What do you suppose the guests were saying to one another? Do you think “word got around” as to what happened, or do you think the guests never found out? What would you think if you had known Jesus your whole life (perhaps their family and yours were friends), and then found out what He had done?
- Tuesday, June 2nd: Prayerfully read or listen to John 2:1-3. Some scholars speculate that there are a couple of possibilities as to why the wine gave out: a) Jesus brought His disciples and the family wasn’t expecting the extra people or b) they were rather poor and couldn’t afford very much. Regardless, the wine gave out, and in that culture, this would result in a massive humiliation for the family. Jesus’ mother comes to Him with this problem. Compare her statement of the problem to your prayers. How is her statement the same/different? Are you able to simply and succinctly state your need before the Lord? How does her statement encourage you?
- Wednesday, June 3rd:Prayerfully read or listen to John 2:4-5. Note how Jesus addresses His mother. Does it bother you that He did not call her “Mother,” or “Mom” or something along those lines? What do you think He might have been trying to convey to her by NOT referring to her in that way, even if there was affection in His voice? What do you think He meant by telling her, “My hour is not yet come (NIV)?” Even with all of this, why did Mary feel comfortable enough to tell the servants, “Do whatever He tells you to?”
- Thursday, June 4th: Prayerfully read or listen to John 2:3-9. Note carefully the sequence of events. Mary went to Jesus and told Him what the problem was (prayer). Then Jesus told the servants what to do, and they did it (obedience). They took it to the headwaiter, who tasted “the water turned to wine…” Does Scripture say exactly when the water was turned to wine? What is the connection between prayer and obedience? How have you seen this play out in your own life?
- Friday, June 5th: Prayerfully read or listen to 2 Kings 5:1-14. How does this story also fit with Mary’s admonition, “Do whatever He tells you?” (John 2:5) Have there been times in your life when you thought the Lord was telling you to do something, but it seemed so crazy, you did NOT do it? How does Naaman’s story fit with that? Do you think the servants at the wedding thought it was crazy taking water to the headmaster? What are ways you can learn to trust the Lord’s voice and follow in obedience in the future? Spend some time praying through this with the Lord.
- Saturday, June 6th: Review each of these Scriptures, questions, and prayers that you have worked through this week. Which one, or which theme, resonated with you? Pray through these things again as the Spirit leads you!
How's Your Prayer Life?
Are you praying on a regular basis? Are you meeting Him and sharing your heart? Whether you are or you aren't, we all need help when it comes to a consistent and meaningful prayer life.
Prayer is one of the most important things a Christian can do. It is a time we are communicating with God, and while there is deep theological meaning in prayer, it doesn’t have to be something that is complicated or difficult. It’s something anyone can do anywhere at any time.