March 4, 2021
Many shepherds scarcely pray for themselves. Christ prays for all His elect sheep. John 17:9, “I will pray for them.” As Christ knows every sheep by name—so Christ prays for every sheep by name. “I pray for them.” And what does Christ pray for them? Why, He prays that they may not wander, that they may not tire or faint, that they may not die along the way. And this is Christ’s prayer for His sheep, John 17:11, “Holy Father, keep those whom You have given Me.” And this prayer of Christ’s prevails with God. If we consider Christ either in His office or in His relation to God, His prayer must be prevalent. Consider Him in His office as He is a Priest; consider Him as He is in relation, as He is a Son. If God could forget Christ as a Priest—yet He could not forget Christ as His Son. John 11:42, “I know You always hear Me.” And this prayer of Christ for His elect sheep is perpetual. There is not one minute wherein we can say that Christ is not praying for us. How can these sheep miscarry—when their blessed Shepherd is always watching over them and praying for them! ~ Sermon, The Good Shepherd (Thomas Watson)
Session One: Praying through the Scriptures (Mark 3:6-12)
1. Why do the crowds come to Jesus in this passage?
2. What does that tell us about their motives and reasons?
3. What do the demons do when they approach Christ?
4. Why do the religious leaders hate Jesus?
· Pray for a greater love for the Lord Jesus because of who he is.
· Pray for a greater zeal to follow the Savior and to obey all that he tells us to do.
· Pray for the Savior’s kingdom to advance across the community and world.
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Session Two: Praying for the Local Church
· Worship.
· Preaching (preparation for the pastor, the sermon proper, fruit, etc.).
· Growth (spiritual and numerical).
· Outreach (Trail Life, American Heritage, etc.).
· The Session.
· The finances of the church.
· A church building.
· The presbytery.
· Our families.
· Our unsaved family members.
Session Three: Praying for the Needs of the Saints and the World
· Mrs. Long – recovery from surgery.
· The persecuted church and our brothers and sisters abroad. This week’s focus: Jordan.
· Our nation – the POTUS and his cabinet, the V-P, Congress; revival and repentance (sins of abortion and homosexuality, etc.).
· The church in the USA – revival, and repentance.
· The Sireci’s are expecting.
· Request from Breanna Scroggins: recovery after her illness; strength for the family.
· Request from Lisa Radke: battling headaches. Pray for relief.
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Requests should be submitted to wfhill@providencechurchevv.com