1. Invitation to Prayer (5 minutes)

Begin by inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer time, asking for clarity and focus. Acknowledge God’s presence and fully commit this hour to Him.

Spend a few minutes singing or listening to one of your favorite worship songs.

2. Personal Praise and Adoration (5 minutes)

Focus on God’s greatness and majesty. Praise Him for who He is and for His attributes: His holiness, power, faithfulness, and love.

Psalm 103:1-5 – “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 – “Do you not know? Do you not hear? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable.”

  • Praise God for His eternal nature and His sovereignty over all creation.
  • Thank Him for His character: His mercy, grace, and long-suffering.
  • Reflect on God’s faithfulness: His salvation, provision, and protection.

3. Confession (5 minutes)

Confession brings humility and healing. Take time to confess any sin to God, whether it be through omission, wrong attitudes, wrong actions, or disobedience.

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalm 51:1-4 – “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me.”

  • Confess any sins that have created separation between you and God (whether in thought, word, or deed).
  • Ask God to search your heart and reveal hidden sin.
  • Seek forgiveness, remembering that He is faithful and just to forgive.

4. Thanksgiving (5 minutes)

Thank God for His many blessings—His provision, protection, answered prayers, and His steadfast love.

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 100:4 – “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name!”

  • Thank God for your salvation in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
  • Reflect on the blessings in your life—family, health, work, church, and more.
  • Praise God for His faithfulness, remembering past victories, and answering prayers.

5. Personal Spiritual Growth (5 minutes)

Philippians 1:9-11 – “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

  • Ask God to deepen your relationship with Him and conform you to the image of Christ (Rom. 12:1-2).
  • Pray for a hunger for God’s Word, and growth in areas such as holiness, prayer, and evangelism.
  • Ask for strength to overcome personal temptations and sin.
  • Seek God’s help in developing the fruit of the Spirit in your life. (Galatians 5:22-23).

6. Our Church and Its Mission (10 minutes)

1 Corinthians 1:10 – “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

  • Pray for unity for our congregation. Pray for wisdom/vision for the staff and leadership of our church.
  • Pray that God will use First North to lovingly serve our community, and boldly proclaim the Gospel.
  • Pray for various ministries in our church (Children & Preschool, Students, Worship, Ladies, Etc.)
  • Pray that First North carries out its mission to help people CONNECT to God and one another through Jesus Christ, GROW in their relationship with Him, and SERVE others in the name of Jesus.

7. Lost or Unreached People (5 minutes)

2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

  • Pray for those who do not yet know Christ, both locally and globally. Pray for God to send messengers.
  • Ask God for the opportunity to share your faith with a lost person, and for the courage to do so.

8. People Who Are Hurting (5 minutes)

Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

  • Pray for those you know who are suffering physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
  • Pray for specific individuals or groups who you know need God’s healing and comfort.

9. Our Nation and World (10 minutes)

2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

  • Pray for wisdom for the leaders of your nation—presidents, governors, lawmakers, and judges.
  • Pray for unity in the nation, and healing from political and social division.
  • Pray for a national revival, and that people would turn to God in repentance and faith.

Matthew 28:19-20 – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

  • Ask God to provide for those impacted by global issues such as poverty, wars, and natural disasters.
  • Ask God to provide for and protect persecuted Christians around the world.
  • Pray for missionaries, ministries, and mission partners working around the globe to share the Gospel.

Closing – Resting in God’s Presence (5 minutes)

Jude 1:24-25: “To him who can keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.”

  • End with a time of quiet reflection and listening to God. “Be Still and know that I am God.” (Ps 46:10)
  • Commit this new year to seek, follow, and serve the Lord, trusting in His grace and provision.
  • Ask God to reveal His next steps for your life, walk with Christ, and ministry in the coming year.