CHRISTIAN CHARACTER RORY NOLAND
HOW TO USE THE PRAYER GUIDE
PERSONAL PRAYER We strongly encourage each participant to make this course an opportunity for prayer. It is said that A.W. Tozer was often prompted to pray while studying; he would stop reading, slide out of his chair, get down on his knees, and spend time with the Father in prayer. We hope you’ll be prompted often to make this material a matter of prayer.
PRAYER IN GROUPS If you’re working through this course with your worship team, be sure to pray beforehand that God will use this mini-course to bring you closer together. Use this guide to direct your prayers for specific needs in your life, your ministry, your church, God’s Kingdom, and the world.
MAKING YOUR CHURCH A HOUSE OF PRAYER You can use this guide to encourage others - staff, volunteers, and members - to pray for a worship awakening in your church. Share with your church’s ministry teams and small groups, and encourage your pastor to include the prayer topics in a worship service.
ASK GOD FOR A SPIRIT OF PRAYER You can use this prayer or something like it to begin your time of prayer: O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. - Book of Common Prayer (2019)
PRAYING FOR “STUNNINGLY DIFFERENT” CHARACTER 1. Ask the Lord to search and cleanse your heart. Search me, 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
2. Pray that you would seek to live in a way that honors and shares the Gospel. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 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 others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” - Matthew 5: 14-16
3. Pray that the Church and all believers would seek to live with noble character: “stunningly different.” Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but you will be saved - and that by God. - Philippians 1:27-28