This prayer guide uses John 3:16 to focus on the theme of knowing Christ and making him known. There is special intercessory attention given to the beginning of a new school year.
In John 20:30-31, John says that the purpose of his gospel is to produce belief in Jesus that leads to eternal life. Belief, in John, is not limited to an intellectual decision about Jesus. Instead, “belief” includes the entire life. When we know Christ, we are transformed into his image, and we desire to make him known to others.
John 3:16 (NIV) ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Attributes of God
God has a plan to redeem the world; God loves at ultimate cost to himself; God offers eternal life to the world; God makes belief in Christ instead of our own works central to salvation; God saves; God glorifies his Son in salvation
Characteristics of our response
We submit to God and his plan; We believe in Christ and God’s plan; We celebrate eternal life; We glorify Christ by sharing the message with others; We ask God to help us grow in belief; We rely upon God, not our own strength
God Is Worthy -- How will you praise God in thanksgiving?
We Are Needy -- How will you respond to God?
Special Intercessory Prayer -- Prayer for returning students, teachers, and the school year
John 3:16 (NIV) ~ “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Attributes of God
God has a plan to redeem the world; God loves at ultimate cost to himself; God offers eternal life to the world; God makes belief in Christ instead of our own works central to salvation; God saves; God glorifies his Son in salvation
Characteristics of our response
We submit to God and his plan; We believe in Christ and God’s plan; We celebrate eternal life; We glorify Christ by sharing the message with others; We ask God to help us grow in belief; We rely upon God, not our own strength
God Is Worthy -- How will you praise God in thanksgiving?
- God, I thank you for calling me in your plan of redemption when you rescued me from…
- Lord, thank you for letting me experience your sacrificial love in/when…
- Father, I praise you for saving me on the basis of my belief in Christ instead of my works because…
We Are Needy -- How will you respond to God?
- Lord, help me to celebrate salvation in Christ by… [or, instead of…]
- Father, I believe, but help my unbelief in…
- God, you have granted eternal life in your plan of redemption; help me to lean on you instead of my own understanding in...
Special Intercessory Prayer -- Prayer for returning students, teachers, and the school year
- God, may your Son be glorified in this community by…
- Father, for our children and students, may you bless them in…
- Lord, for our teachers and other school officials, may they rely on you when…
- Father, for our teachers and other school officials, may they be examples of Jesus in…
- God, may this school year be a time of growth in...
