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“Worship-based prayer shifts our focus from our needs to His worthiness. Everything in life pales in comparison to the worthiness of God. As we begin to enlarge our vision of God’s character rather than focusing only on what we want Him to do for us, He fulfills us in ways that cause us to want more of Him. Worshiping God, for who He is, creates an intimacy with Him and opens His hand where all needs are met.” –Alice Moss in Transforming Prayer by Daniel Henderson
Today we will again use the 4/4 prayer model Daniel Henderson teaches in his book, Transforming Prayer. This time we will prayer through a New Testament passage, 1 Peter 5.
- Reverence: Who Is God? Name truths about God from this passage. As you sit with those, put them into prayers like, I glorify you (vv. 1, 10, 11) because you are … I worship you because your hand is mighty (v. 6) over …
- Response: How Should I Respond? How might you respond based on what you learned about God and His character in 1 Peter 5? Humble my pride of ________ under your mighty hand (v.6) … Even though it is hard, I embrace my suffering (v. 10) in __________ (situation).
- Requests: What Should I Pray About? Now we are ready to pray from a place of worship and surrender to God: I cast my cares (v. 7) about __________ upon you, thanking you that you care for me … I pray for _________ as s/he encounters trials (suffering—v. 10), asking that you would perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle him/her.
- Readiness: Where Do I Go From Here? As we get ready to enter our day out in the spiritual war zone, pray about battles and struggles: Give me your grace to be sober/self-controlled and vigilant/alert as I face the enemy today in __________ (specific trial or temptation).
- Reverence: End your prayer time going back to recognize God and His character, thanking and praising Him: I praise and thank you for your peace (v. 14)!
1 Peter 5
Shepherd the Flock of God
5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight,[a] not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you;[b] not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.
Peace to all of you who are in Christ.