Leader: Give your group an opportunity to pray simple one-sentence prayers of praise as you guide them. Model for them what you desire. For example: "Lord, I want to give you praise for my children." Explain that this is time for very short prayers and that you will direct them. Also, encourage them to pray more than once in each segment if they would like.
Leader say: Let's begin tonight with telling the Lord that we love him. I'll pray first and then I'll give you a few minutes to speak your short prayers of love and then I'll continue to guide us through our prayer time.
Let's pray, "Precious Jesus, I love you tonight and I want to praise you."
Wait and listen. Don't be afraid of some silence. When you are sure everyone has prayed who would like to move on.
Leader say: Let's continue by praising God for who he is. "God, I want to praise you because you are a loving Father." (the great I AM, counselor, safe place, savior, redeemer)
Wait and listen. Don't be afraid of some silence.
Leader say: Let's praise God right now for what he has given us. "Father, I want to praise you for my _________________."
Wait and listen.
Leader say: Now, let's take a few minutes to praise the Lord for how he is working in our church. "Lord, I praise for __________________ in our church."
Wait and listen. Don't be afraid of some silence.
Leader say: Let's finish our prayer time by praising God for the work he has done and/or is doing in our lives. "Father, I want to praise you for ____________________ in my life."
Leader close in prayer: "Father, you are God above all else in this world. We love you. We praise you for all that you've done in our lives. We praise you because you have been so good to us, that you have redeemed us, that you have loved us even in our sinfulness, and that you have given us joy unspeakable. We confess that sometimes we aren't where we should be spiritually … we leave you behind, we make poor choices, we ignore your promptings. Forgive us Lord. And, we pray tonight for your power, for your hope and mostly for your love. In our hearts we bow before you, for you are the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings and the lover of our souls. Amen."
