Lies we tell ourselves #3 -“I am what I feel; I am what others say about me” Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 2:1-10

Father forgive us that we define ourselves by our feelings
Forgive us that we care a great deal about what others say about us and little about what you say about us.
Turn our thoughts to your true diagnosis of us.
May we increasingly display the fruit of the Spirit
And live by the Spirit
Rejoicing in our identity as sons of God
Saved by grace
Seated in the throne room of heaven.
To your honour and glory alone.
Amen

Pray in the Spirit - Ephesians 6:18-20

Father may we pray in the Spirit on all occasions.

May our lives be characterised by all kinds of prayers and requests.

May we always keep on praying as we live for you and not for ourselves.

Keep us alert.

Keep us praying for all the saints.

Keep the saints declaring the gospel fearlessly.

And empower us to declare it to ourselves and to the world.

Fullness Ephesians 5:15-20

Father of fullness,

Make us careful in how we live.

Make us wise not foolish,

Redeeming the time,

Recognising that the days are evil.

May we know your will,

Be filled with the Holy Spirit,

May your word overflow from our hearts into our mouths and our lives.

May we sing of your greatness and your salvation.

Filled with gratitude for everything,

In the name of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

Standing Firm - Ephesians 6:10-20

Father, I am

Weak,

Wicked,

Doubting,

Tempted,

Uncertain,

And overconfident in my ability to stand firm.

There have been many times when you have

Kept me in my stupidity;

Saved me from my lusts;

Snatched me from my apostasy;

Strengthened me in my cowardice;

And reminded me in my unbelief.

Keep me from forgetting the truth.

May the gospel

Strengthen my resolve;

Smother my unrighteousness;

Soften my doubts;

And enable me to stand firm.

May your word inhabit my heart,

And may prayer be my constant practice.

For your glory alone.

Amandla - Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Father, you are a God who submits and serves.

May submission be my heart’s cry; and the desire for power be my enemy.

May I trust myself to others; may my honour not be my concern.

May I seek to serve rather than seek to rule.

May I give rather than take.

May I elevate others and humble myself.

May my status as loved and cherished by you define my identity rather than the alienation and anger of the world.

As we belong, united to each other; may we hold fast, united together.

May our obedience lead to blessing.

May service and sincerity be our goals.

As we become Christlike in all we do

Amen

Ephesians 4:17-5:20 - The Strategy for Sin

Father,

Our futile minds seek to be like everyone else;

We were darkened, alienated, ignorant, hard-hearted, callous, greedy and impure.

But we have learned Christ!

May we put off our corrupt and deceitful desires.

May we be renewed in our minds putting on the new self, to be righteous and holy like you.

May we not grieve the Spirit but instead be filled by the Spirit as we replace

Lies with truth;

Anger with peace;

Theft with generosity;

Evil talk with encouragement;

Malice with kindness;

Anger with forgiveness;

Impurity with gratitude;

Darkness with light;

Foolishness with wisdom;

Drunkenness with praise.

And domination with submission.

Ephesians 4:1-16 - God’s Good Gifts

Father, may we live worthy of our calling.

United, humble, gentle, patient, filled with love.

May we be united in purpose,

United in worship,

United in trust,

As we unite in our devotion to you.

Thank you for giving us Word ministers;

And making us a part of your body.

May your people embrace ministry and service,

Build each other up,

Fight for unity,

Strive for knowledge,

Aim for maturity,

Speak the truth in love,

As we live for your glory alone.

Amen.

Lived In and Loved Up

Our Father

We pray that your Spirit would empower us.

We pray that your Son would indwell us.

We pray that we might be rooted and cemented in love.

We pray that we might comprehend your love.

We pray that we might be filled up to the fullness of God.

We commit ourselves to you, knowing that you can change us more than we can ever ask or imagine.

To you be the glory for ever and ever.

Amen   

Amazing God, Amazing Plan

Father

You have included the gentiles;

Made us fellow heirs;

Members of and sharers in the promises of Christ Jesus.

You have shown us your wisdom and plan in the church,

According to your eternal purposes in Christ Jesus.

May we not lose heart over our suffering, the suffering of the church, and the suffering of your heralds.

May we believe in the church, love the church and live for your bride.

Ever thankful of your mercy to us in Christ

Included - Ephesians 2:11-22

Father of peace,

You have created reconciliation,

And given us access.

You have broken the dividing wall of hostility,

You have abolished the law and commandments;

So that we who were

Uncircumcised, separated, alienated, strangers, without hope and without God,

Might be reconciled,

Given access,

Made citizens,

And members of your household.

Built into the growing structure,

To be your dwelling place,

By the blood of Christ.

We worship you for our inclusion.

God made us alive - Ephesians 2:1-10

We were dead, 
Locked in sin,
Following Satan,
Captured by our passions,
Prisoner to our desires,
Objects of wrath.
But God
Rich in mercy,

Driven by love,

Made us alive.

Together with Christ,

Raised us up,

Seated us in honour,

Saved us by grace,

As a gift,

Gained by faith.

That you may know - Ephesians 1:15-23

Father you are uniting all things in Christ,

You give to us faith in Jesus,

And love for the saints.

Give us your Spirit,

Give us wisdom,

Give us revelation/light,

That we may know you!

Open our eyes,

Open our hearts,

To know the hope to which you have called us,

The riches of your glorious inheritance,

And the greatness of your power for us;

Shown in the resurrection, ascension, exaltation and rule of Jesus.

God at Work - Ephesians 1:3-14

Our God and Father

You have blessed us,

Chosen us,

Predestined us for adoption.

You have redeemed us,

And forgiven us,

Lavished your grace on us,

And united us with Christ.

You have granted us an eternal inheritance,

And sealed us with your Holy Spirit

To the praise of your glory…

In Christ - Ephesians 1:1,2

Father, you willed to raise apostles,

You called them to speak of Christ Jesus.

You created a church of saints,

You gave us faith,

And you brought us in to Christ Jesus.

Thank you for grace,

Thank you for peace,

Thank you for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 6:5-9

Our Father

Up ahead is a day when we will see.

We will see you.

And then we will know that reality is larger than what we see now.

Help us to see who we labour for.

Help us to see what really matters.

Help us to see ourselves truly.

And live in your presence as we work.

That you may be glorified.

Amen 

Ephesians 6:1-4

Our Father,

You nurture us;

You train us;

You instruct us;

May we honour and obey you;

And submit to your Lordship of our lives.

May we be blessed by you;

And may this blessing overflow into our families;

May they be places of honour, nurture and instruction.

For your glory alone

Amen