Short Prayer to Open a Meeting

Dear God,

We give You thanks for this day as we gather together for this meeting in Your name. We humbly ask for Your guidance and wisdom as we come together to fulfill Your will. We ask for Your protection over us and for Your blessings upon our work. We ask for Your guidance and inspiration as we work towards a common goal. Help us to communicate clearly and to work together in harmony. We seek Your wisdom to make the right decisions, and we put our trust in You. We give You all the glory and honor, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Suggested Bible Readings

Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.

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James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

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Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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Colossians 3:23 ESV

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

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Proverbs 16:3 ESV

Commit your work to the Lord,
    and your plans will be established.

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A Prayer Before Meals

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with grateful hearts, giving thanks for this meal and the many blessings You have bestowed upon us. We acknowledge that without Your grace and provision, we have nothing.

We humbly ask that You bless this food and those who have prepared it. May it nourish our bodies and give us strength to serve You.

We also lift up in prayer those who are less fortunate and in need of a meal. We ask for Your love and provision to be upon them.

We give You all honor, glory, and praise, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Suggested Bible Readings

1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

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Psalm 103:2 ESV

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,

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Philippians 4:19 ESV

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

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1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

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Colossians 3:17 ESV

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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Prayer of a Sinner

Heavenly Father,

I come before You as a sinner. I humbly confess my sins and ask for Your forgiveness. I acknowledge that I have not lived according to Your will, and have failed to love You and others as I should.

I implore Your mercy and grace to cleanse me of my transgressions and to renew a right spirit within me. Help me to turn away from my wicked ways and to follow You with all my heart.

I pray for Your strength and wisdom to obey Your commands and to serve You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I humbly pray. Amen.

Suggested Bible Readings

1 John 1:9 ESV

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

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Psalm 51:10 ESV

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.

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Isaiah 55:7 ESV

let the wicked forsake his way,
    and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
    and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

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James 4:8 ESV

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

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2 Corinthians 7:9-10 ESV

As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.

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1 John 2:1 ESV

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

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