PRAYER GUIDE

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In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle was the dwelling place of God, where he met with his people and it represented His presence. At its centre was the Holy of Holies were only the High

Priest could go once a year. Today, because of Jesus’ death on the cross, we have access into the Holy of Holies and God’s presence is with us at all times. In this season, when we are mainly in our homes, we want to take this week to remember that God’s presence is with each of us wherever we are and that our homes are a tabernacle where He comes to dwell with us. We want to take time to seek more of His presence in our lives and homes and also in our neighbourhoods, church, town/

city and nation and to continue to pray for revival and the current global pandemic.

This week, even though we no longer need the physical Tabernacle to meet with God, we will focus on the elements of it to help us connect with Him and enter more fully into His presence. We will work through these elements and what each represents together at our online morning devotions and evening prayer meetings throughout the week. You can also use this prayer model to guide

your prayers during an hour in our virtual prayer room.

Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them Exodus 25: 8

Then I will live among the people of Israel and be their God, and they will know that I am the Lord their God Exodus 29: 45-46

Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart

and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope

we profess, for he who promised is faithful Hebrews 10: 19-23

Introduction

Key Scriptures

Plan of the Old Testament Tabernacle

Monday 12th OctoberMorning

The Outer Court - Thanksgiving and PraiseThe Israelites entered the Tabernacle with thanksgiving and praise, and we want

to start our week/prayer time in the same way.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name Psalm 100:4

Prayer Time

Spend some time thinking about all the blessings in your life for which you’re thankful. You can write down a list, sing your own song of praise, or just spend quiet moments reflecting on your

gratitude and praise toward God and inviting more of His presence where you are.

“Father God, You are good, and You deserve all my praise and more. Thank You that I can come to you without any restrictions today, and that your presence is right here with me now”.

Thank Him for some specific things in your life that you’re grateful for. Thank Him for something new that you have never thanked Him for before.

“Father God, may I experience Your presence, Your Holy Spirit and Your love in a fresh way today and this week, Amen.”

EveningThe Brazen Altar - The Cross of Jesus

In the Old Testament, everyone had to regularly bring animal sacrifices as payment for their sins. Today, we do not have to do this because Jesus paid for our sins once and for all

with His blood on the cross.

Then he [Jesus] said, “Here I am, I have come to do your will. ”He sets aside the first to establish the second”. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the

body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again, and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But when this priest had offered for all time one

sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those

who are being made holy. Hebrews 10: 9-14

The cross provides us with:Salvation - God forgives all our sins

Healing - God heals diseasesRedemption - God rescues us and restores us

Transformation - God changes us into His likenessBlessing - God provides everything we need

Prayer Time“Thank God for the gift of Jesus and that He made a way for us to come into His presence through

His son. Thank Jesus for His sacrifice and love.”

Let the power of the cross and what it means for your life really settle in your spirit. If you need to see more of any of these provisions in your life today, talk to God about that.

Pray for those you know who need to see healing in their physical or mental health.

Pray for those you know that need to know Jesus as their saviour.

Pray that revival would come with many coming to faith and a fresh outpouring of God’s power, transformation, healing and blessing across our land.

The Laver - Cleansing and PreparingThe next step in the Tabernacle was a bowl of water where people were reminded of their

sinfulness and their need to be cleansed and forgiven by God. Checking our hearts and motives and surrendering our lives to God is an important part of daily prayer.

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

If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9

Guilt, shame and condemnation are not from God but can often stop us from feeling we can draw close to God and enter his presence. However, because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can

confess our sins to Him, receive complete forgiveness and a fresh start and come right into God’s presence.

Prayer TimeAsk God to search your heart and show you anything you need to confess to Him today then do

this, asking Him to cleanse you afresh. Receive His forgiveness which He offers freely. Ask Him to take anything away that has been a barrier between you.

As you turn away from what He has shown you, turn toward Him, ask for a fresh revelation of His love for you and commit to Him afresh today by praying:

“Lord today,

I give You my tongue, to speak good and not evilI give You my eyes, to focus on You and the needs of others

I give You my ears, to be sensitive to Your voiceI give You my hands, to do good for others

I give You my feet, to walk in Your ways and follow Your footstepsI give You my mind, to be transformed and used by You”

Tuesday 13th OctoberThe Candlestick

The next element of the Tabernacle was a seven-branched golden candlestick. The fire represents the Holy Spirit and how we are called to be light in the world’s darkness.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. John 14:26

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

When Jesus left the earth, Christians were given the gift of the Holy Spirit. He calls the Holy Spirit our “advocate.” We cannot do what God has called us to do without His supernatural power. It is

through the Holy Spirit that God comforts us, guides us, and empowers us.

Prayer Time“Holy Spirit, I ask You to fill me afresh today. I need Your presence in my life, guiding, directing,

comforting, and counseling me. Holy Spirit, thank you for both your fruits and your gifts in my life”.

If there is a particular fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Gal 5:22-23) or gift (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy,

discernment, tongues, interpretation of tongues, 1 Cor 12:8-10) you would like to see more of in your life, ask God for that today.

Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives, our church, our city/town, our nation and across the world bringing revival, people into relationship with God, and seeing more of God’s

Kingdom being established on earth.

Pray we would be empowered, through the Holy Spirit, to demonstrate God’s love to those around us, to be bold in speaking about our faith and praying for others and to be carriers of

God’s presence everywhere we go.

Wednesday 14th OctoberThe Table of Shewbread - The Word of God

In the Tabernacle, a table with twelve loaves of bread represented the importance of reading God’s Word for daily sustenance.

Blessed is the one…..whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in seasonand whose leaf does not wither—

whatever they do prospers.Psalm 1:2-5

Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deut 8:3

God’s Word is an incredible gift and a powerful tool, and it has great relevance and impact in our prayer life.

Prayer Time“Thank You, God, for giving me Your Word. I ask You to reveal Yourself to me through it. Help me to

grow more in love with Your Word and to be more dependent on it”.

Today, take some time to incorporate God’s Word into your prayer time by, for example:

Reading a passage (such as Psalm 23) slowly several times and letting God highlight a word or phrase and speak to you through that.

Ask God to remind you of a verse from His word today. Then keep reading it, speaking it out and dwelling on it as you go through your day.

Ask him for an encouraging verse for someone else, pray it for them and send it to them.

If there is a particular situation on your heart today as you come to him in prayer, ask him for a verse that you can use to guide your prayers for it and to help you remember His character,

heart or promises for the situation.

Read your favourite verse or passage in a different translation than normal, and let God speak to you in a fresh way through it.

Thursday 15th OctoberThe Altar of Incense - Worship

A small altar of burning incense stood at the entrance to the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled. The people of God entered God’s presence as they worshipped and focused on

His Names. This altar represents worship and the pleasure it gives God when we worship Him.

Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker Psalm 95:6

The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe Proverbs 18:10

Prayer TimeThank God for making His presence available to you. Praise and worship Him personally and

specifically for Who He is and how He has moved in your life in whatever way you would like to e.g. with music, art, dance or prayer.

“Thank you, God, for Your presence. I know that You are here with me. I worship You and You alone. Thank you, God that You are:

The God Most High – Gen 14:17My Healer - Exodus 15:26

My Provider - Genesis 22:14My Strength – Psalm 28:7 My Peace - Judges 6:24My Shield – Psalm 33:20

My Shepherd - Psalm 23:1The Lord who Bursts through – 2 Sam 5:20

As you pray through the different Names of God, focus on a few aspects of who He is, especially the characteristics that you need a reminder of in this current season of life. Declare who He is over

any situation on your heart today and as you worship, know that this changes the atmosphere in your life, your home and our nation.

Friday 16th OctoberThe Ark of the Covenant - Intercession

The final place in the Tabernacle was the Holy of Holies, where God’s presence dwelled. There, the High Priest interceded by praying on behalf of the people of God. In the same way, we area called

to intercede on behalf of those around us.

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

Prayer TimePrayer is essentially a partnership of the redeemed child of God working hand in hand with God

toward the realisation of His redemptive purposes on earth - Jack Hayford

Pray for those with whom you interact and connect, including:

Those in authority - leaders in church, government, family, and workplaceYour family - both immediate and extended family members

Your church - pastors, staff, Connect Group, members, and missionariesYour community - people in your city, nation, and worldYour relationships - friends, co-workers, acquaintances

Continue to intercede for:

An outpouring of God’s Spirit and presence across our nation and the world bringing transformation to hearts, lives, inequality and nations

An end to the global pandemic and that in the midst of it, God’s will would be done, and many would seek Him and turn to Him

An advancement of His Kingdom

Ask God what/who else He would like you to pray for today and what is on His heart for the situation.

“Father God, thank you that you have made a way for me to enter your presence. Thank you that you dwell with me where I am and that you love to meet with me and talk to me. I pray in the days

and weeks ahead; I would have a greater awareness of your presence with me. May I grow in revelation of your love for me and for others and carry your presence everywhere I go and impact

the world around me with your love and your light. Amen”.