Ideas for Structuring Your Day of Prayer

Whether you are a school leader, a regional director, a classroom teacher, or a board member, whatever your role might be, consider using the Great Commission model as you pray for your Jerusalem (school and community), Judea (state or region), Samaria (nation), and the uttermost parts of the world. We have provided some prayer topics for schools, communities, your nation, and the world. There are many ways to use this framework to engage your school, office staff, community members, individual classes, or organization in the Day of Prayer. For example, you can use these categories—Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the world—to set up prayer stations, assign them to different grades/grade levels, or as a framework for a chapel, assembly, or other community gathering. Of course, you will be able to add much more to these lists; these suggestions are provided just to get you started in planning!

The format can be whatever works best for your organization or gathering. It will depend on how you feel God’s leading you to direct the schedule and responsibilities of your students, staff, parents, and other constituents during this day. To give you a variety of ideas from which to choose, we have developed a prayer guide with multiple options.

This year’s theme coincides with the week of Valentine’s Day. If this is a holiday celebrated in your country, consider having the Day of Prayer be a part of your school’s Valentine’s Day celebration by preparing to pray on Monday, praying on Tuesday, and celebrating your Day of Prayer on Valentine’s Day.

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:17–19, NIV 1984

DAY of PRAYERDATE: February 12, 2019 THEME: “To know the love of Christ…”

Your School (Jerusalem)

ç Your students

ç Each class draws the name of another class & prays for each student & the teacher

ç Pray for those who have left your school (by name if possible)

ç Pray for the children in a 10-mile radius of the school for salvation, protection, vision

ç Pray for those who would like to come to your school but do not have provision

ç Pray for those who are graduating (if your school has a graduating class)

ç Alumni of your school

ç Your teachers

ç Each class draws the name of a teacher & prays for that teacher; parents are invited to pray for teachers

ç Your administrators

ç Parents/grandparents/families

ç Board of Trustees

ç Donors

ç Supporting church(es)

Your Community(Judea)

ç Churches & pastors (especially those connected with your school in some way)

ç Businesses (by name if possible)

ç Service professionals

ç First responders

ç Those who don’t yet know the Lord as Savior

ç Christian brothers & sisters

ç Foster children & foster parents

ç The incarcerated

ç The poor & marginalized

ç The vulnerable (widows & orphans)

Your State/Region & Nation (Samaria)

ç Government leaders

ç The economy

ç The moral climate

ç Safety

ç Health issues

ç Educational system

ç Revival — that the lost would come to know Christ & the fellowship of believers would be ignited in their passion for the Lord

The World ç Great Commission fulfillment

ç Revival

ç Missionary efforts

ç Christian schools

ç Justice & equity

ç Christian teachers & administrators — favor, provision, safety

ç Protection for the church & believers

Remembering that the theme is“To know the love of Christ,” Pray For:

ç When possible, encourage and allow students to take key leadership roles in the process.

ç Use the Word of God (see Scripture list and suggestions attached) to guide and inform your times of prayer.

ç Keep a record of what you and/or your group does.

ç Challenge yourself and your community to pray in ways they may not have experienced before; e.g. at stations, in intercession, in a time of confession for our nation and the world, in small groups, or even praying out loud.

ç Consider fasting in order to focus yourself (and/or your school community) on this time of prayer.

ç If possible, try to establish prayer opportunities that are multi-sensory. For example, prayer stations require physical movement as people rotate from station to station, worship in music engages the physical body; ask people to sit, stand, kneel, or even lie prostrate as may be appropriate. Different lighting, background music, opportunities to write, draw, or journal engages us differently than simply sitting down. Even consider a prayer walk if that would be effective in your setting.

ç Consider ending the day with a time of praise and celebration.

ç Ask your constituents to reflect on what the day meant to them and to give you written testimonies of the experience.

ç Post these testimonies on the website acsi.org/day-of-prayer

Suggestions

Before February 12:

� Plan how your school will be involved; will you do a school-wide event? Community-wide event? Classroom-level events/activities? Read through the Prayer Guide and Suggestions and see what works best for your school.

� Meet with your teachers and staff to share the various options and ideas for the Day of Prayer. Consider having subject areas or grade-level teams work together in planning and implementing what they will do.

� Let your school community know about the Day of Prayer; share the website with them and let them know how you will be participating as a school.

� Let your broader community know that you will be participating in ACSI’s Day of Prayer. Solicit prayer requests and encourage your community to get involved by coming to whatever community event is conducive to their involvement. If you are having a chapel or assembly, consider asking community figures to come (first responders, public figures such as councilmen, mayor, etc., business leaders) so they can represent their various constituencies as you pray.

After February 12:

� Ask teachers to give you a report on how the Day of Prayer went in their classrooms. Share their praise reports with your school community.

� As appropriate, send a card with a “We prayed for you” message to those for whom you prayed. Consider ways to follow up with them for future contact.

� Ask students, teachers, staff, etc…to inform you of of answered prayers.

� Share your experiences at acsi.org/day-of-prayer so the whole Christian school community can rejoice with you!

For School Leaders

ç Set aside a block of time before, during, or after regular hours where students, parents, staff, teachers, or employees can join to pray (see prayer topics and options below). Consider appointing a prayer coordinator who can direct the process.

ç Make it an opportunity for people to get a list of prayer topics and pray individually or in groups, as they choose.

ç Plan a special chapel or assembly for your school where your student leaders and/or staff and faculty lead a time of prayer and worship. Use the list of prayer topics to facilitate all group, small group, or individual prayer.

ç Plan an extended prayer and worship night for your school community where worship, Scripture reading, and group confession and repentance can be woven into times of intercessory prayer.

ç Set up prayer stations in a designated room, sanctuary, or chapel where anyone from your community can go during the Day of Prayer. Each station can have a written description of the Prayer Topic so that people are directed how to pray.

ç Provide opportunities throughout the day to check the website https://www.acsi.org/day-of-prayer for prayer requests that are coming from all over the world. Either have computers at various stations or even just one available so that those praying can view the list and spend time praying over these requests if they want to.

ç Consider posting an update each hour or at various intervals throughout the day so your community knows how the Day of Prayer is progressing.

ç Appoint different classes or groups to pray for the requests coming from the various continents or parts of the world (and don’t forget our nation’s requests!)

ç Create an Hour of Prayer schedule to facilitate prayer in the various classes throughout the day, using as much class time as you and your staff feel is appropriate.

ç Disseminate the Hour of Prayer schedule throughout your campus and/or school community (on your website, if you have one) directing people to pray throughout the day from wherever they are, so that each hour all those involved are praying on the same topic.

Suggestions for School LeadersSome ideas for you to consider as you plan your Day of Prayer.

ç Set up prayer stations and have your students get in groups and rotate through them. Provide Scriptures (see lists provided) to guide their prayers.

ç Set up a map of the world and your country so students can locate the schools around the world for which they are praying. Consider tracking the requests that come in and asking students to locate those places on the world map as they pray for them.

ç Assign students to find out who the local leaders are and make a list of community members for whom you would like to pray.

ç Write letters to community members for whom you prayed: local government leaders, first responders, pastors, business people, for example.

ç Assign students to find out who the national and global leaders are and make a list of those for whom you would like to pray.

ç Write letters to national and global leaders for whom you prayed: government leaders, first responders, pastors, business people, for example.

ç Have students write prayers, in prose or poetic form, for particular schools and people; consider sending them to those for whom they prayed.

ç Do a devotional on the effects of prayer, ways to pray, etc. You could also have a student or group of students prepare the devotional.

ç Invite local pastors or spiritual leaders to speak to your students about prayer.

ç Have students create a collage or other visual artistic representation of prayer and what it means to them. Display them in the room or post digital copies on the class or school website.

ç Do a Bible study with your students on one or more of these prayer passages: Psalm 51, 2 Kings 19:14–19, 2 Kings 20:1–7, Psalm 139, Neh. 1:1–2:9, Luke 22:39–46, Matt. 6:5–15, 1 Sam. 2:1–10, John 17, Col. 1:9–12, Eph. 1:15–23, Eph. 3:14–21

ç Take a prayer walk with your students through your school, neighborhood, or other location.

ç Have the students do a web search for prayers for specific topics: government, the lost, provision, peace, ways to pray, models of prayer, famous prayers. Have them share their findings with the class.

ç For older students, solicit their involvement in planning Day of Prayer activities for their school; for high school students, consider having them plan the Day of Prayer activities for younger grades.

Suggestions for Classroom TeachersSome ideas for you to consider as you plan your Day of Prayer.

Individuals/Remote Employees:

ç Consider going on a personal prayer retreat. Find a place that is conducive to a time of prolonged prayer and reflection. Set aside several hours (two to four or longer) to pray through the ACSI Day of Prayer guide as well as your own list of prayer items (praise, request, thanksgiving, intercession).

ç Journal your prayer experience. Jot down those items for which you prayed specifically—what you asked, for whom you prayed, etc. Include the verses on which you focused. Write any immediate responses to prayer.

Regional Offices/Divisional Teams:

ç Set aside a block of time where everyone in your office can be focused on prayer. Consider starting with individual prayer time. Next, gather as a team, and consider having a time of worship together, either live or streamed (or whatever is available). When you are ready for corporate prayer, use the Prayer Guide suggestions to guide your prayer time (not all items will be relevant, but most will). Feel free to join in with the HQ prayer event as you have desire and opportunity. After praying through the Prayer Guide suggestions as you have chosen to do, share your personal prayer requests as well as items focused on your office, region, and/or area of responsibility.

Suggestions for Individuals, Regional Offices, and Other Organizations

Some ideas for you to consider as you plan your Day of Prayer.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” 1 John 4:9-12

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:9-10

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I

am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my

body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have

love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“The most important one,” answered Jesus,

“is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the

Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’

The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

“To Know the Love of Christ…” Scriptures for the 2019 Day of Prayer

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not

envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor

others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always

protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“To Know the Love of Christ…” Scriptures for the 2019 Day of Prayer

“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Romans 13:10

“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.” Romans 13:8

“A friend loves at all times.” Proverbs 17:17a

“Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find? The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” Proverbs 20:6–7

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:2–3

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8

“Do everything in love.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

“And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:21

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them

all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16–18

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

“Dear friends, since God so

loved us, we also ought to love one

another.” 1 John 4:11

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:9-10

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” Luke 6:35

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12–13

“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.” John 3:16

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:12

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4–5

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3–4

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psalms 86:15

“To Know the Love of Christ…” Scriptures for the 2019 Day of Prayer

Ideas for Using the Scriptures During Your Day of Prayer

1. Print the list of Scriptures on large pieces of paper and have them posted for inspiration around the chapel, classroom, office space, or wherever you have people gathered.

2. Use the printed verses at prayer stations to guide and inspire the prayers for those prayer topics.

3. Print the list and have it near the computer stations where the Day of Prayer requests are coming in from all over the globe.

4. Hand out Scripture verses to your students in the classroom.

ç Talk to the students about which verses seem most appropriate when thinking about “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost parts of the world” and the subpoints for prayer.

ç Ask the students to take those verses and individually pray through them as that principle or truth applies to their topic of prayer.

ç Have the students get in small groups and pray through the verses (selected ones) on behalf of whatever group or

topic they are praying about.

5. If you are praying with a small group or on your own:

ç Print the list of Scripture verses

ç Read through the verses, and next to the margin put a “Je” for Jerusalem, “Ju” for Judea, “S” for Samaria, “U” for uttermost, or “A” for all, based on where you think the Scripture would most appropriately be applied.

ç Pray through the verses as you move through each area of prayer: schools, communities, states/regions, nations, global concerns.

DAY of PRAYERDATE: February 12, 2019 THEME: “To know the love of Christ…”