Your Football Team

by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Prayer Guides

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Philippians 4:6)

Praise: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:3-5)  Thank God for every one involved with your team including coaches and players, the school system or franchise, the media and the fans and for the opportunity the team has to play football.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)  Pray that God would send His Holy Spirit into the spiritual hearts to reveal Christ to everyone connected to the team.  Pray that they be truly born again and live in the fullness and the abundant life promised in Christ.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” (James 1:5-8)  Ask the Lord to give wisdom to all those in authority over the team.  Pray that the coaches make decisions that are good for the whole team.  Pray for their decisions no only during the game, but in everything that affects the team including practice, plays, media releases, players and fans

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)  Pray that each player will use his conditioning and playing time, his talents and his lifestyle in a way that is good for all the team members. Pray that players, coaches, and fans will avoid everything that feeds only self-interest, do nothing out of selfish ambition and consider others better than themselves.

“If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10) Pray that Christian football coaches and players will see the moral failures of non-Christians as opportunities to point the broken hearted to Christ and the ways of God.

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” (Proverbs 1:10)  “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)  Pray that the players who have good character not be influenced by those who have wrong motives and live in ways that are sinful or harmful in any way.

 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)   Pray that the team members will not become in bondage to drugs, alcohol and other addictions that would cause them harm or keep them from proper conditioning, playing or following rules and regulations laid before them by those who have authority over them.  

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4) Pray that the Christian players will grow in their trials and show faith in God.  Pray that they persevere and allow the Lord to mature them and complete His work in and through them.  May their faith cause other players to look to Christ as they face similar trials.

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  (1 Corinthians 4:2)   Pray that the players will understand that the positions they play are given out of trust.  Pray that they understand that they are expected to prove faithful in conditioning, preparation and execution of their positions.

The call to pray is from God’s Word and we are given a sure promise, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)  Have assurance that the Lord God has heard and will answer your prayers.

Sunday Morning Service

by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Prayer Guides

Praise: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:3-5)  Thank the Lord for blessing us with the opportunity to congregate as the Body of Christ in such a beautiful facility and walk in obedience to His Word. “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  (Hebrews 10:25)

One:  Invite the Holy Spirit to enable you to pray according to God’s Word and with a disciplined mind. The Apostle Paul tells us, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)

Two:  Pray for the Holy Spirit’s presence on the teachers and in the hearts of the Sunday School students, “God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. (1 Corinthians 2:10)

Three:  Pray that those who attend the song service will die to their own thoughts and grasp the Lord’s will and be responsive to the Holy Spirit’s enabling to sing in spirit and truth.  Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord.” In Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.”

Four:  The bulletins and announcements will reflect the Lord’s will in regards to giving people opportunities to become involved in a local Body of Christ.  People will take time to enjoy the Bibles studies, the services and the Christian fellowship times offered through CrossRoads Church. The Bible says, “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.” (Proverbs 29:18)

Five: Through the people who attend this church, God will provide for the needs of this church Body and that He will prove Himself faithful to those who are obedient to His will.  “Jehovah-Jireh,” the Lord will Provide found in Genesis 22:14. “Jireh” meaning to see or to provide or see as prophet, God always providing, adequate when the time comes.  Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring in the whole tithe… ‘Test me in this,’ says the Lord Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

Six:  That God would consecrate our sound system and use it for His glory and He would give wisdom to the soundman and bless his efforts to help us achieve the Lord’s work. “Consecration” is the separation of persons, utensils, buildings, or places from that of secular uses to be used for the worship of the Lord. “Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them. He sprinkled some of the oil on the altar seven times, anointing the altar and all its utensils and the basin with its stand, to consecrate them.” (Leviticus 8:10-11)  As the vessels were being devoted, symbolically Moses was presenting a picture of the Holy Spirit’s anointing, using the vessels for blessing and grace.

Seven:  The message of the Lord through the spoken and written Word will spread and people will respond to it with a right heart.  2 Thessalonians 3:1 says, “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.”  

Eight:  The prayer time would be ministry to the Lord Jesus, to the Body of Christ and pleasing to God.  Jesus said, “My [Father’s] house will be called a house of prayer.” (Matthew 21:13)   Psalm 116:1-2 says, “I love the Lord, for He heard my voice, He heard my cry for mercy.  Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.”

Nine:  That God will do a work in Norton and make us a part of it. Plead for His mercy and that He would deliver people from the bondage of the flesh, the lures of the world, and the lies of the devil; that He would make CrossRoads Church a spiritual hospital, where the Holy Spirit is doing spiritual heart surgery, taking away hearts of stone and giving repentant sinners a heart of flesh so they may be able to love the Lord and have an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ; where the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is giving Christians a powerful thirst and hunger for the Word of God,  Christians are saying, “Lord Jesus teach me to pray,” where we are seeing Holy Spirit fruit being manifested in the lives of born again Christians and Holy Spirit gifts being exercised through sacrificial love.

Close with Praise:  The call to pray is from God’s Word and we are given a sure promise, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  (James 5:16b)  Our righteousness is accomplished by having Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord.  By His sacrificial death and victory over sin we are found to be righteous in God’s sight.  For this be sure to thank God and Jesus Christ.

National Day of Prayer

by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Prayer Guides

Praise:  “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:3-5) Thank the Lord for the opportunity to be involved with the ministry of “National Day of Prayer.”

The Local Church:  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called–one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:2-6)  Thank the Lord for His blood purchased church and pray that He would turn His churches into spiritual hospitals.  A place where He is taking away hearts of stone and putting in spiritual hearts of flesh.  By the Holy Spirit of Christ give people a powerful hunger and thirst for the Word of God.  A church where people are asking the Lord Jesus to teach them to pray.  A church were Christians are producing the fruit of the Holy Sprit because the children of God are feeding upon the written Word of God.  That the local church will become a place where people may experience all the Holy Spirit gifts being exercised through sacrificial love.

Government:  “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)   Lord we pray for our elected leaders and ask that you take them in your hands and accomplish your perfect will through them.  We ask you to enable those in leadership positions who know you as personal Savior and Lord to live in a way that would cause non-Christians to consider the perfect will of God for them.  Grant your wisdom to our President and Vice-president.  In your Sovereignty, guide the US Senate and US House of Representatives, the US Supreme Court Justices and raise up Judges who will judge in the fear of the Lord.  Guide our state and local leaders in ways that will give everyone an opportunity to consider the claims of Jesus Christ.

Family:  “Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.  For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.  Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her…  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  ‘Honor your father and mother’–which is the first commandment with a promise–‘that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’  Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 5:22-25; 6:1-4)  Pray that husbands will love their wives as Christ loves the Church, wives will be Biblical helpmates to their husbands and that the children will obey their parents in the Lord.  Pray that husbands and wives will live for Christ in such a way that it will intrigue their children to look to the Lord.  May families find joy in being involved in the things of God.

Education:  “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:14)  Pray that our Public School Systems will not continue to keep our Christian history from our children.  Pray that our children will be taught the truth about what our nation’s Founding Fathers stood for and understand their Biblical convictions.

Military:   “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7)  Thank the Lord for our military strength, however, be sure to call upon Him to protect our military personnel.  Pray that He will give everyone a clear opportunity to accept Christ.  Pray that the Lord will protect our armed forces as he did King David and that Lord would use this present military crises as way of drawing family members into a deeper walk with Christ Jesus and cause many to call upon the Lord in their time of concern.  May the Lord use this present conflict to bring a revival among the troops, just as He did during the Civil War.

Media:  “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) Pray that the Lord would make the media aware of the fact there is going to be a day of accountability and they will be held accountable to every word they have spoken.  Pray that the Lord would intercede and enable the media to report the whole truth so Americans will not be mis-led by a liberal non-Biblical agenda.

Close with Praise:  The call to pray is from God’s Word and we are given a sure promise, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  (James 5:16b)  Our righteousness is accomplished by having Jesus Christ as personal Savior and Lord

Prayer Guide for Children

by Terry Laughlin | Apr 30, 2016 | Prayer Guides

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  (Philippians 4:6)

Praise: “Know that the LORD is God. It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”  (Psalm 100:3-5)  Thank God for every child by name, then ask for forgiveness for anything the Holy Spirit brings to mind about your attitude or treatment to His children. Thank the Lord for the work He has already done in their lives and the blessings He has shown them.

“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)  Pray That:  God would send His Holy Spirit into the spiritual hearts to reveal Christ to our children and grand-children.  That they be truly born again and live in the fullness and the abundant life promised in Christ.

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will have hearts to obey the Lord and be involved in the things of God even when they are not in our presence. That they would walk in a true fear of the Lord and that they will have a heart that will ask the Lord to do His work in their lives.  That God would bring them to a condition in their spiritual heart that says, “Make me hungry to do your will.”

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)            Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will become convinced that what they have learned is true because they have seen the lives of those they have learned it from and the Christian life they have been expose to will produce fruit that is pleasing to God.  They will be made wise and live a life that expresses the salvation of Christ within them.

“Blessed are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.  Blessed are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart.” (Psalm 119:1)  Pray that:  Our children and grand-children will have a hunger and thirst for the Word of God and that they will seek Him with all their mind, heart and strength.  That they will seek out to learn the Word of God and will desire in their hearts to obey and live what the Bible tells them to do.

“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.” (Psalm 97:10) Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will not find delight in any kind of evil.  They will have the heart of the Psalmist who wrote, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)  They would look at the Word of God as a mirror and the key source to determine what He calls sin.

 “In your anger do not sin” (Ephesians 4:26)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will not sin when the become angry and they will surrender everything over to the Lord.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will feed their spiritual hearts the Word of God and be led of the Holy Spirit so they may produce the fruit that should be seen in a Christian’s life.

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)  “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.  They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.” (Proverbs 1:8-9)   Pray That: Our children and grand-children will obey their parents in the Lord and they will be eager to get direction from their godly parents so that it will go well for them and their children.

“My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent His rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those He loves, as a father the son he delights in. (Proverbs 3:11-12)  “Do not withhold discipline from a child, if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.”  (Proverbs 23:13)  Pray That:   Our children and grand-children will accept the Lord’s disciplines and they will not be blind to His correction.  That we as Christian parents will have the courage to apply disciplines that are guided by the Lord and will cause our children to look to Jesus Christ for help to overcome all sin that longs to destroy their relationship with Him.

“Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:15-16)  Pray That:  That we as parents and grandparents may live is such a way that causes our children and grand-children to praise God for the work He has done in our lives.  That our lives would give our children and grand-children a hope that inspires them to look to and put their trust in Jesus Christ as they face the temptations of the flesh and the world and combat the lies of the devil.

“If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)   Pray That:  The Lord would raise up good solid Christian friends that will build and challenge our children and grand-children in the Lord Jesus Christ and that they will mature in the Lord so they can be true Godly friends to their friends.”

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” (Proverbs 1:10)  “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Corinthians 15:33)  Pray That:  The Lord would send the Holy Spirit to remind our children and grand-children of these two passages of Scripture so they can be successful in living for Christ.  That our children and grand-children will not be influenced by anyone who could cause them to fall into sin and hurt the Lord.

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”  (Matthew 24:12-13)  “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will be able to stand firm in their Biblical convictions so they will be able to live forever with Christ and be true salt and light in a sin cursed world.

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:4)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will exercise their spiritual gifts for the good of others, not only for their own good and they would do nothing out of selfish ambition and consider others better than themselves.

 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” (Proverbs 20:1)   Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will fear the dangers that can come with partaking in alcohol and drugs and other addictions that would cause them to find pleasure and delight in anything but accomplishing God’s will for them.

“Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.” (Colossians 3:19)  “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church.” (Ephesians 5:25)  “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (1 Peter 3:7)  ”Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will have spouses that were raised in true Christian homes and they will bring great joy to each other.  They will have marriages that bring glory and honor to the Lord.

 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will overcome the world’s view on living and have an understanding of what it really means to trust in the Lord. That they will acknowledge Him as they live down here on this earth so they can enjoy the path of life that He has chosen for them and they will be able to discern what doors He has opened for them.

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”  (1 Corinthians 4:2)  “He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”  (1 Corinthians 4:5)  Pray That:  Our children and grand-children will prove faithful to everything the Lord has entrusted to them.

The call to pray is from God’s Word and we are given a sure promise, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)  Have assurance that the Lord God has heard and will answer your prayers.