Laboring in Prayer
This part should take approximately 20 minutes.
Read by Leader
Turn to 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 and we will each read two verses. This is a unique story of how God did all the work and all God's people had to do was give praise.
Notes
All turn to 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 and read two verses each until complete.
Read by Leader
Who will reread 2 Chronicles 20:17? Someone else read 2 Chronicles 20:21-22. Another read Psalm 106:47.
Notes
Three volunteers read: verses 17; another verses 21-22; and a third person reads Psalm 106:47.
Read by a Volunteer
¹⁷ Ye shall not need to fight in this battle; set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.
²¹ And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for His mercy endureth for ever.
²² And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and thy were smitten.
⁴⁷ Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from among the heathen, to give thanks unto Thy holy name, and to triumph in Thy praise.
Read by Leader
Our New Testament passage is how God brought an earthquake when Paul and Silas sang praises. What volunteer will read Acts 16:22-33?
Notes
Volunteer turns and reads Acts 16:22-33.
Read by Leader
So we overcome (triumph) by praising. Let's sing one more hymn.
Notes
Sing second hymn of praise.
Read by Leader
Now for the next 12 or so minutes you will experience the most difficult mental prayer task you will ever attempt. We will bring before the Lord anything on our hearts, but we won't pray or make requests. We will only give thanks and praise God for; every trial (He will deliver in His time), every unsaved family member or neighbor (He's not willing that any should perish), and of course, praise for everything that He has done.
Read by Designated Note Reader
You will be tempted to start, "Lord, I thank you for your blessings and I just pray that...," GONG, GONG, GONG! Go back to thanking God.
Notes
All go around and only praise and give thanks. If you hear the GONG stop praying and go back to praise and thanksgiving.
Prayer Principal
Sometimes it is hard to think of things to praise and give thanks for, but be courageous to let the time pass in silence while things come to mind.
Read by Leader
Now let's take three minutes to memorize the command of Christ in Matthew 5:12. :Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you."
Notes
Everyone keep saying the verse around until you can say Matthew 5:12 with eyes closed until it is memorized.