Prayer Guide: March 15, 2020 - Matthew 17:14-23

The Scripture passage for this Sunday’s message deals with Jesus’ miraculous healing of a boy who had been possessed by a demon, and we will see the ineffectiveness of the disciples’ efforts contrasted with the awesome power and beautiful mercy of Jesus.  Jesus actually gives a word of rebuke to everyone connected with this episode because of their lack of faith.  The cure for weak faith is to have the eyes of our hearts enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) so that we understand and believe the greatness and graciousness of our God.

1. Praise Jesus, who has authority over every spiritual power and who is infinitely greater than Satan and the demonic forces of darkness.
2. Praise Jesus, who is compassionate toward those who suffer and who is so wise in the ways He meets our needs.
3. Confess to the Lord areas of your life in which it is difficult for you to trust Him—areas where you have a hard time relinquishing control and resting in Him.
4. Ask the Lord to enlighten the eyes of your heart concerning His greatness and graciousness, to remind you of how good and faithful and gracious and powerful He really is.
5. Ask the Lord to help you trust Him more, to help you abide in Him, and in so doing to bear the fruit of the Spirit (John 15:5, Galatians 5:22-26).  
6. Pray for those who will be leading us in congregational singing this Sunday morning, that our church would sing from our hearts to the Lord, giving ourselves to Him—presenting our bodies to Him as living sacrifices, which is our spiritual worship (Romans 12:1).