Moving Forward in Faith – Living a Powerful Life
PRAYERS for 2021 WORLD COMMUNITY DAY
Prepared by the South Australian Unit of ACW Inc.
Photo by Rosemary Pitman - taken on the road between Mackay and Clermont, Queensland, 22 May 2019
Click image to download booklet for the 2021 World Community Day Service
Click here to download as a Word document.
Eternal God, we praise you for this world, our home, and for every sign of your presence within it. Today, we especially thank you for our church community that is to us the sign of your presence. We thank you, our Father, for those who had the vision to establish it, for those who had the audacity to believe you could use it.
AMEN
1 October 2021
Acts 4:32–33
(NIV)
PRAYER
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all.
2 October 2021
John 13:14–15
(NIV)
PRAYER
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
Loving God, we praise you that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, our Saviour, we have won the victory of your redeeming grace and forgiveness.
AMEN
3 October 2021
Psalm 46:1–3,
10–11 (NIV)
PRAYER
God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
O most wondrous Creator God, we praise you for your bountiful creation, which we enjoy and which sustains us in our daily living, and the redemption you have bestowed on us through the loving presence of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.
AMEN
Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
4 October 2021
Philippians 4:4–7
(NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
PRAYER
Almighty God our Heavenly Father, we give you praise and glory for sending your son Jesus to live among us, to show us the way to live and forgiveness towards each other. We give thanks for your Word. Thank you, Lord, for Jesus’ living even unto the cross.
AMEN
Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash
5 October 2021
1 Peter 2:6
(NIV)
For in Scripture, it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
PRAYER
Jesus, the strength, guide and sign of the building of our lives. We give thanks for your teachings of the kingdom of God through your parables, and the reaching out to those in need of your healing.
AMEN
6 October 2021
John 14:18–21
(NIV)
I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.
PRAYER
Most Loving and Redeeming God, we praise and glorify your name for sending your only son, Jesus our saviour, who sacrificed his life for us.
AMEN
7 October 2021
Psalm 92:1–5
(NIV)
It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
How great are your works, Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
PRAYER
Most gracious God, we praise you that you have given us a beginning and will be with us at the end; that in the strength of your love we can follow you to the age of time and the threshold of eternity. For yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever.
AMEN
8 October 2021
Matthew 17:20
(NIV)
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
PRAYER
Thank you for the small faith you have placed in our hearts. May it grow to strengthen us for the journey ahead. Keep us walking in your way. AMEN
9 October 2021
Psalm 97:10–12
(NIV)
Let those who love the Lord hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light shines on the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous,
and praise his holy name.
PRAYER
Loving God, you are the light of the world. Shine your light upon us, so we may see your righteousness and follow your way. Keep us faithful on our journey.
AMEN
11 October 2021
Psalm 27:1,13–14
(NIV)
The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life — of whom shall I be afraid?
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
PRAYER
O Lord, we give you thanks for your promise to be with us every day, even until the end of the age. We know that whatever happens, good or bad, you walk with us. Help us learn to put our trust in your presence.
AMEN
Photo by Lisa Caroselli of Pixabay
12 October 2021
Matthew 17:4–7
(NIV)
Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don’t be afraid.”
PRAYER
Dear Lord, we are inspired by the faithfulness and obedience of your prophets who followed your calling into their lives. Give us the grace to follow you in obedience and faith. AMEN
13 October 2021
Ephesians 3:20
(NIV)
PRAYER
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Father you assist us in all of our endeavours. Give us power, hope and confidence to share your love with all whom we meet, and strengthen friendships made.
AMEN
14 October 2021
John 3:16–18
(NIV)
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
PRAYER
Most compassionate and merciful God, may we know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more nearly.
Photo by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash
15 October 2021
Luke 11:11–13
(NIV)
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
PRAYER
Redeeming God, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, to inspire, empower, guide and strengthen each one of us that we may serve you in faith. Weave us together as the Body of Christ to advance your Kingdom.
AMEN
16 October 2021
Galatians 5:22–23
(NIV)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
PRAYER
Gracious God, thank you for the bountiful gifts that you have bestowed on your children. May we use them wisely for your purposes sharing in your community as the Body of Christ.
AMEN
Photo by google images, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
17 October 2021
Galatians 6:2
(NIV)
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ.
PRAYER
Lord, fill us with your Spirit that we may all be bearers of your love. Show us where we can share your love with those in need, ever mindful of the mutual respect, dignity and equality for all with whom we meet and share our faith.
AMEN
Photo by Ed Yourdon from New York City, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
18 October 2021
Ephesians 4:32
(NIV)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
PRAYER
Lord God, we pray for those who are troubled and burdened with cares too heavy to carry. Help us to be mindful of their need, as we reach out to them and emulate the example of Christ's compassion, forgiveness and love.
AMEN
19 October 2021
1 Peter 4:10
(NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
PRAYER
Lord, help us to abandon ourselves in the uniqueness of the gifts you have given us. Today, Jesus, as we live for you, we give thanks for these gifts. Let them enable us to serve others and in so doing bring glory to your name.
AMEN
20 October 2021
Jeremiah 18:5
(NIV)
Then the word of the Lord came to me. He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?' declares the Lord. 'Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.'
PRAYER
Creator God, we bring all that we have and all that we are. Do with us as you will. Mould us and make us blessings fit for your service.
AMEN
21 October 2021
John 14:26
(NIV)
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
PRAYER
Sometimes, Holy Spirit, you take us out of our comfort zone! Teach us to be servants of praise and prayerfully obedient to your leadings in our lives. Thank you that we never journey alone.
AMEN
22 October 2021
Proverbs 19:17
(NIV)
Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.
PRAYER
Loving Father, we sometimes think that by praying at length we may please you, but you ask us not to ‘babble’ but to pray simply, as Jesus himself taught us to do. Please accept our prayers today and guide us to pray the Lord’s prayer often. Accept our simple offering of the Lord’s Prayer, as Jesus taught us. ‘Our Father …’
AMEN
23 October 2021
Psalm 146:9
(NIV)
The Lord watches over the foreigner and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus – you cared for all who lived on the margins of your own society. We pray to you now for those millions in our time who live in unsafe situations in countries around the world … Out of sheer need they find they can no longer stay in their country, so they take the options available and look for a safe place elsewhere. We bring them to you – and ask, with all trust, that you lead them to safety. We pray too for those who have almost reached safety. May they soon find a permanent home. May attitudes towards asylum seekers jump the hurdle of misunderstanding and fear … We pray too for widows and orphans that they may be secure, both materially and socially … may we learn to recognise their need and then reach out to help them. AMEN
Photo by Alexas Fotos at Pixabay
24 October 2021
1 Timothy 2:1–2
(NIV)
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
PRAYER
Our Father God, in this time of challenge for leaders in Australia and across the world, we pray for your hand to bring peace, justice and wisdom.
AMEN
Photo by Photo by Dave Sutherland at flickr licence CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
25 October 2021
Colossians
3:23–24 (NIV)
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
PRAYER
We are so thankful Lord for those who work so tirelessly and lovingly, caring for those who are ill or suffering. May they be strengthened and empowered to know of your enabling. We are so blessed to have such expertise, skill and commitment by doctors, nurses and those in the health industry, and we thank you for them.
AMEN
26 October 2021
Isaiah 41:10
(NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
PRAYER
Lord, we place our loved ones in your precious hands as we trust and rely on you for their well-being and care. For those in pain we pray for healing. May they be assured of your presence every day.
AMEN
28 October 2021
1 Thessalonians
5:5,16–19,24 (NIV)
You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
PRAYER
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray for one another and place ourselves in your hands. Take us as we are and strengthen and make what you would have us be. May your spirit keep us faithful in all we do.
AMEN
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay