Two Helpful Lists

Posted by Young the Amazing at 8:38 PM

I got these lists from the church I go to in SD while I'm at school, and I found it useful/encouraging, so thought I'd share. :3


Praying for the Pastor and the Sermon - Michael Fabarez

Colossians 4:3
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-

A. Pray for the Crafting of the Sermon
1. Pray that the message your pastor is preparing to preach would be an evident part of his own life.
2. Pray for the protection of your pastor's sermon preparation time.
3. Pray that your pastor will be given grace and illumination to rightly divide God's word.
4. Pray that the words your pastor chooses to frame the outline would be effective and powerful tools for the Holy Spirit to employ.
5. Pray that your pastor would have insight into the needs of the congregation as he prepares the sermon.

B. Pray for the Delivery of the Sermon.
1. Pray that people will attend the preaching event
2. Pray that the congregation would arrive in the right frame of mind.
3. Pray that God would guard against preaching distractions.
4. Pray for clarity and power in the pastor's vocabulary.
5. Pray that God will give understanding to all who hear this week's sermon.
6. Ask God for the most effective and fruitful sermon your pastor has ever preached.

C. Pray for the Response to the Sermon
1. Pray that all, including yourself, will put the sermon into practice.
2. Pray that the sermon will not be compartmentalized.
3. Pray that the application of the sermon would be contagious.
4. Pray that the sermon itself will be repeatedly delivered.



10 Practical Preparations for Hearing the Word of God on Sunday Morning - John Piper

Luke 8:18
18 Take care then how you hear, for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away.

1. Pray that God would give you a good and honest heart (Ezekiel 26:36, Jeremiah 24:7)
2. Meditate on the Word of God (Psalm 34:8, Psalm 1:1-3)
3. Purify your mind by turning away from worldly entertainment (James 1:21, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:1-2)
4. Trust in the truth you already have (Jeremiah 17:7-8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 119:41-42)
5. Rest long enough Saturday night to be alert and hopeful Sunday morning (1 Corinthians 6:12)
6. Forebear one another Sunday morning without grumbling and criticism (Psalm 106:25, 1 Corinthian 10:1-12, Philippians 2:14, James 1:19)
7. Be meek and teachable when you come (James 1:21)
8. Be still as you enter the room and focus your mind's attention and heart's affection on God (Psalm 46:10)
9. Think earnestly about what is sung and prayed and preached (1 Corinthians 14:20, 2 Timothy 2:7)
10. Desire the truth of God's word more than your desire riches or food (1 Peter 2:2, Psalm 19:10-11)