Prayer of Praise: –

Heavenly Father, We come before You with hearts full of praise and gratitude for Your unwavering love and sovereign grace. We praise You for Your wisdom and Your ability to see beyond our outward appearances and into our hearts, just as You saw the potential in David and anointed him as king.

Father, we praise You for the gift of faith. We rejoice that we can live by faith and not by sight, trusting in Your promises and Your perfect timing. Thank You for the confidence we have in You, knowing that even while we are at home in the body, we are away from the Lord, yet Your Spirit is always with us, guiding and comforting us.

Lord, we are grateful that Christ’s love compels us and that through His death and resurrection, we no longer live for ourselves but for Him who died and was raised again. We praise You for this incredible gift of salvation and the call to live lives that honor and glorify Your name.

We lift up Your holy name, thanking You for Your unending mercy, Your faithful presence, and the assurance that we are always in Your care. May our lives be a continual offering of praise to You, reflecting the new creation You have made us to be.

In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.

Prayer of Confession:

(Responsive)

Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging our need for Your grace and mercy. As we reflect on Your Word, we are reminded of the times we have fallen short of Your calling, just as Saul did when he failed to obey Your commands.

Lord, we confess that we often rely on our own understanding and appearances, rather than seeking Your will and trusting Your wisdom. Forgive us for the times we have judged by outward appearances, failing to see the heart as You do.

We confess that we have allowed the old ways of sin and disobedience to linger in our lives, rather than fully embracing the new creation You have called us to be in Christ. Forgive us for our reluctance to let go of the past and step into the new life You offer.

Lord, we acknowledge that we have not always lived by faith, but have often walked by sight, placing our trust in the tangible and the seen rather than in Your promises. Forgive us for our lack of faith and our hesitation to live fully for You.

Father, we are sorry for the times we have not made it our goal to please You, but have sought to please ourselves or others. We confess our selfishness and our failure to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received.

Help us, Lord, to be renewed by Your Spirit. Teach us to live by faith and not by sight, to seek Your approval above all else, and to walk in the newness of life that You have granted us through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew right spirits within us. May we be like David, chosen and anointed for Your purposes, and may Your love compel us to live no longer for ourselves but for Him who died for us and was raised again.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Assurance of Forgiveness:   

Brothers and sisters in Christ, Hear the good news: Our God is a God of mercy, grace, and new beginnings. Just as God chose David, a shepherd boy, to become a king, He chooses us and sees beyond our failures and shortcomings to our potential and purpose in Him.

Hear then Christ’s word of grace to us,

‘Your sins are forgiven’.

Thanks be to God.

Prayers for Others:

(Responsive)

Heavenly Father, We lift up those in positions of leadership and authority. Just as You chose David, a man after Your own heart, we ask that You grant wisdom, discernment, and integrity to our leaders. Help them to lead with humility and a heart that seeks to honor You above all.

May they live by faith, not by sight, trusting in Your guidance and making decisions that reflect Your will. Empower them to lead with righteousness and justice, and may their leadership bring peace, prosperity, and well-being to those they serve.

Gracious Lord, We pray for those who are seeking direction in their lives. Just as Samuel was guided by You to anoint David, we ask that You provide clarity and guidance to those who are uncertain about their path. Help them to trust in Your timing and Your plans, knowing that You see beyond appearances and understand their true potential.

May they live by faith, trusting that You are leading them to the place where they can best serve and glorify You. Strengthen their hearts and give them the courage to follow Your calling.

Loving God, We pray for those undergoing transformation and change. As Paul reminds us, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone, the new is here. We ask that You support and uplift those who are embracing new beginnings and seeking to live out their faith in fresh and dynamic ways.

Help them to let go of past mistakes and failures, and to fully embrace the new life You have given them. Fill them with Your Spirit, that they may live confidently and joyfully in Your love.

Merciful Father, We pray for our church community and the broader body of Christ. Just as You called David and transformed his life, we ask that You continue to call and transform us as Your people. Help us to live by faith and not by sight, to seek to please You in all that we do, and to support one another in our journeys of faith.

May our community reflect the new creation we are in Christ, showing love, compassion, and integrity in all our interactions. Empower us to be a light in the world, drawing others to Your grace and truth.

Compassionate God, We pray for those who are struggling with their faith. Just as You assured Samuel and Paul of Your presence and guidance, we ask that You comfort and strengthen those who are facing doubts and uncertainties. Help them to see beyond their current struggles and to trust in Your unfailing love and promises.

May they experience a renewed sense of Your presence, and may their faith be deepened as they walk through their challenges. Surround them with Your peace and give them the assurance that they are never alone.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil,

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours,

Now and forever.  Amen.

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