Resources
A Sacred Assembly Prayer Guide
Note: This is a copy of the prayer guide that we asked our people to use in preparation for participation in our called sacred assembly.
Prayer Guide | Wednesday, January 13
Proverbs 6:16–19 lists seven sins the Lord hates. Hate is strong language but is the best word in the context of these verses. God hates the things that Satan loves and Satan loves the things that God hates. The sins listed in these verses are among the things Satan uses to distance us from God. They are the building blocks of strongholds or fortifications designed to rebuff God’s truth. Satan uses the seven sins listed in these verses to destroy people, families, churches, communities, and cultures.
The Apostle Paul affirmed that Christ-followers must “demolish strongholds” and “demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor. 10:3-5). If we desire to experience personal revival, we must identify and ask God to destroy any strongholds that keep us from loving and serving Him. We must be willing to humble ourselves before Him and give Him complete access to every area of our lives. 2 Chronicles 7:14 is reassuring to those who do so: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
This week, please ask God to reveal sins and strongholds in your life that are causing your love for Him to grow cold and that make you ineffective in His kingdom. Cooperate with God as He dismantles and destroys each stronghold that has given the enemy influence over your life.
Thursday, January 14 | Haughty Eyes
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs, 6:17, Psalm 18:27, Proverbs 11:2, Proverbs 21:4, Matthew 6:1.
Pray | Lord, please examine my eyes. Reveal to me the things that obscure my vision and cause me to exalt myself and to diminish others. Please heal my eyes with the salve of humility. Remind me daily that “everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14).
Friday, January 15 | Lying Tongue
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:17, Psalm 5:6, Psalm 120:2, Proverbs 12:19, Proverbs 26:28, John 8:44, Revelation 21:8.
Pray | Lord, please reveal to me all of the ways in which I am less than truthful. Confront me with the ways in which I exaggerate, bend or edit the truth, and lie. Please heal my tongue and help me to be like Jesus, “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).
Saturday, January 16 | Hands that Shed Innocent Blood
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:17, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 19:10, Isaiah 59:7, Jeremiah 22:3.
Pray | Lord, please show me how I have shed innocent blood and how I have violated the spirit of the Sixth Commandment by being a party to character assassination, harboring hate, nursing grudges, and seeking revenge. Please heal any attitudes of hate that reside in my heart and govern my thoughts. Remind me that Jesus came that we might have and promote life (John 10:10).
Sunday, January 17 | Heart that Devises Wicked Plans
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:18, Proverbs 6:14, Proverbs 12:20, Matthew 15:18-20.
Pray | Lord, please expose the wicked schemes of my heart — schemes that diminish my integrity, damage others, and lead to division. Please frustrate any plans I devise to sin against you or to harm others. Help me to invite others to hold me accountable for my thoughts and plans. Remind me to keep my heart with all vigilance because from it flow the springs of life (Prov. 4:23).
Monday, January 18 | Feet that Run to Evil
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:18, Psalm 52:3, Psalm 97:10, Amos 5:15, Zechariah 8:17, John 3:19, Romans 12:9, 1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22.
Pray | Lord, please cause me to stumble when I foolishly run to evil. Please help me to have the sense to run away from evil and all that will cause my love for you to grow cold. Help me to follow your steps and to never lose sight of you. Thank you that you welcome me back when I repent and that you cleanse me from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Tuesday, January 19 | False Witness Who Lies
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:19, Exodus 20:16, Exodus 23:1, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 21:28.
Pray | Lord, please reveal to me any way in which I have given false testimony based on inadequate, wrong, or baseless information. Give me the courage to seek forgiveness from those I have wronged with lies I have told and to rectify any damage I have caused. Please remind me that what I say matters. “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Ps. 141:3).
Wednesday, January 20 | One Who Stirs Up Discord
Read | Please read and meditate on these verses today: Proverbs 6:19, Proverbs 16:28, Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Timothy 5:13, Titus 3:10.
Pray | Lord, please show me every way in which I have been divisive and have frustrated your desire for unity in my home and in your church. Please give me the courage to seek the forgiveness of those I have harmed and those I have divided by stirring sowing discord. Please help me to be a peacemaker (Matt. 5:9) and to “be at peace with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
Where To Look
Ministering to Grieving Families
My friend John E. Dent, Jr. writes about the death of his daughter Ellen. Read John’s moving story and learn how you can minister to grieving families.
Reprinted from LifeTruths Leader Guide, Spring 2005. Reprinted with permission from LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
| when you are afraid | Psalm 3; Psalm 4:8; Psalm 27; Psalm 56:3 |
| when you are angry | Proverbs 19:11; Eph. 4:26-27, 31; Col. 3:8 |
| when you are feeling anxious | Philippians 4:6-7 |
| when you are bitter | Matthew 6:14-15; Romans 12:14-21 |
| when you need courage | Psalm 138:3; Ephesians 6:10-13 |
| when you are in danger | Psalm 91; Psalm 121 |
| when you feel defeated | Romans 8:31-39 |
| when you are depressed | Psalm 23; Romans 8:28-31; 1 Thess. 5:18 |
| when you are discouraged | Psalm 42; Psalm 55:22; Matthew 5:11-12 |
| when concerned about eternity | John 3:16; John 3:36 |
| when you are lacking in faith | Jeremiah 32:17; Matthew 19:26 |
| when you need forgiveness | Ps. 103:11-12; Prov. 28:13; Isa. 43:25; 1 John 1:9 |
| when you are grieving | John 11:25; John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 |
| when you need guidance | Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 32:8 |
| when seeking the way to heaven | John 14:6 |
| when you are helpless | Psalm 46:1 |
| when you are lonely | Hebrews 13:5 |
| when you need to be patient | Psalm 27:14 |
| when you need peace | John 14:27; John 16:33 |
| when you are persecuted | Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-21 |
| when struggling with problems | Psalm 55:22; 1 Peter 5:7 |
| when you need rest | Matthew 11:28-30 |
| when you are unable to sleep | Psalm 4:8 |
| when you are facing sorrow | Romans 8:26-28; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 |
| when you are suffering | Ps. 34:19; Rom. 5:3-5; 2 Cor. 4:17 |
| when you are facing temptation | 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 1:12-15 |
| when you are facing trials | James 1:2-4 |
| when others treat you unfairly | 1 Peter 2:19-23; 1 Peter 4:12-16 |
| when you are upset | Isaiah 26:3 |
| when you feel weak | 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Philippians 4:13 |
| when you are weary | Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9 |
| when you need wisdom | James 1:5 |
| when you are worried | Matt. 6:25-34; Rom. 8:31-32; Phil. 4:6-7 |
A Sacred Assembly Preparation Guide
Note: This is a FAQ sheet that my church, Kingsland Baptist, used in order to prepare our people for participation in a called sacred assembly.
What is a Sacred Assembly?
In the Old Testament, sacred (or solemn) assemblies were occasions for God’s people to repent of personal and corporate sins, to renew their covenant relationship with the Lord, and to return to the Lord in faithful love and obedience.
Why are we observing a Sacred Assembly in January?
The month of January beckons us to reflect on the previous year and to look ahead to the opportunities of the coming year. Throughout the month of January we will reflect on God’s special blessings over the past year and also anticipate His future blessings. We will conclude the month by gathering for a sacred assembly on Sunday evening, January 31, in which we will repent of our sins and renew our commitment to pursue holiness.
Who should participate?
In Old Testament times, every person who could understand was invited to participate in a sacred assembly. We encourage adults and students to participate in our sacred assembly on January 31. Adults and students will meet in The Loft from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. We will provide a coordinated time of teaching for children and preschoolers.
How will our pastor help us to prepare for the Sacred Assembly?
Starting Sunday, January 3, our pastor will speak to us about a longing for revival in our church and nation. In the Sunday mornings to follow he will speak about the need for us to examine our personal and corporate walk with God and to take intentional steps toward a closer and more intimate walk with Him.
Will Wednesday nights be any different in January?
Yes. Our pastor will use three Wednesday evenings in January to lead us toward a biblical understanding of worship through prayer, fasting, and Scripture. His teaching time will be accented with corporate singing and reflection on the holiness of God. All adults and students will meet together on these Wednesday evenings in The Loft.
How should my family and I prepare for the Sacred Assembly?
• Please prepare for our sacred assembly by attending Sunday morning worship and the three Wednesday evening services that our pastor will lead.
• Read and reflect on the Scripture passages posted on the calendar in this newsletter. Use these passages to lead your family in devotions or talks around the dinner table.
• Make the themes of the Scripture passages posted on the calendar in this newsletter central to your daily prayers.
• Use the Table Talk devotionals provided in the Sunday bulletin to guide your family.
• Prayerfully consider fasting at least one day a week in preparation for the sacred assembly.
• Allow the Lord access to every chamber of your life and discard anything that causes your love for Him to grow cold.
• Ask for forgiveness from anyone whom you have offended and offer forgiveness to anyone who has offended you.
Bible Teaching Notes 