Prayer Service / Part One
October 13, 2025
A Season of Rest
Prayer Prompt #1
Scriptures:
Matthew 11:28–30 — “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Hebrews 4:9–11 — “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”
Psalm 23:1–3 — “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”
Repentance Prayer:
“Lord, we repent for striving in our own strength, for placing our identity in performance, and for neglecting Your rest. We repent for living in an orphan mindset that says we have to work to earn Your love, instead of receiving it freely. Forgive us for trusting in busyness instead of abiding in You.”
Petition Prayer:
“Lord, we come to You weary and burdened, and we ask You for the rest that only You give (Matthew 11:28). Teach us to cease striving and enter into Your Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4:9–10). Shepherd us into green pastures and quiet waters where our souls are restored (Psalm 23:2–3).”
Declaration Prayer:
“We declare that Forward Church will be a people who rest in the finished work of Jesus. We are not slaves to striving but sons and daughters who work from love.
In the name of Jesus, we tear down every stronghold of performance, burnout, anxiety, and busyness. We declare freedom and peace in Christ.”
Posture in His Presence
Prayer Prompt #2
Scriptures:
Joshua 5:14 — “And he said, ‘No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.’ And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, ‘What does my lord say to his servant?’”
Exodus 33:14–15 — “And he said, ‘My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.’ And he said to him, ‘If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.’”
John 5:19 — “So Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.’”
John 12:49 — “For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak.”
Repentance Prayer:
“Lord, we repent for moving ahead without You, for relying on our own wisdom and plans, and for giving You leftovers instead of our first love. We repent for valuing the things of this world over Your presence. Forgive us for neglecting the One thing that matters most.”
Petition Prayer:
“Lord, like Joshua, we bow before You (Joshua 5:14). Let Your presence go with us, because without You we cannot move forward (Exodus 33:15). Teach us to see what the Father is doing and to say only what You are saying (John 5:19; John 12:49).”
Declaration Prayer:
“We declare that Forward will be a people marked by the Presence of God. We will not move without His leading.
In Jesus’ name, we tear down strongholds of self-reliance, pride, control, and distraction. We declare that His voice is louder than every competing voice.”
A House of Peace
Prayer Prompt #3
Scriptures:
John 14:27 — “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
Romans 12:9–13,18 — “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality… If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Philippians 4:7 — “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you".
Psalm 29:11: "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace".
Repentance Prayer:
“Lord, we repent for allowing division, judgment, gossip, or fear to rob our peace. We repent for not trusting in who You are, the Prince of Peace, and instead trusted in our performance or religion. Forgive us for failing to be peacemakers.”
Petition Prayer:
“Jesus, we receive Your peace — not as the world gives but as You give (John 14:27). Guard our hearts and minds in Your peace (Philippians 4:7). Make this house a sanctuary of safety, love, and healing.”
Declaration Prayer:
“We declare that Forward will be known as a house of peace, where His love heals and His presence restores. Every person who enters will encounter the peace of Christ.
In Jesus’ name, we tear down strongholds of fear, division, judgment, rejection, and shame. We declare Forward a safe house of love, grace, and healing.”
Iron Sharpening Iron
Prayer Prompt #4
Scriptures:
Proverbs 27:17 — “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Hebrews 10:24 — “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”
Ecclesiastes 4:12 — “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”
1 Corinthians 14:3–4 — “On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.”
Repentance Prayer:
“Lord, we repent for isolating ourselves and avoiding accountability. We repent for self-protection that walls us off, for holding onto bitterness and offense, and for tearing down others with criticism instead of building them up. Forgive us for gossip, comparison, and division in the body.”
Petition Prayer:
“Lord, teach us to sharpen one another as iron sharpens iron (Proverbs 27:17). Stir us up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). Build us up through encouragement and equipping.”
Declaration Prayer:
“We declare that Forward is a house where people strengthen, encourage, and equip one another in love (1 Corinthians 14:3–4; Ephesians 4:12).
In Jesus’ name, we tear down strongholds of isolation, self-protection, bitterness, offense, gossip, comparison, and division. We declare that sharpening in love refines and equips us for every good work.”