Praying before and during a Sunday service is essential to invite God’s presence, power, and purpose to manifest. I’ve seen how prayer can transform an ordinary service into a powerful encounter with God where lives are changed, and hearts are renewed. These prayer points, grounded in Scripture, will help you pray for every aspect of your Sunday service, from the worship to the Word, and for the congregation to experience God’s presence.
1. Praying for God’s Presence to Fill the Service
Inviting God’s presence into the service ensures that everything that happens is led and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Scripture:
“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)
Prayer:
“Lord, we invite Your presence into this Sunday service. As we gather in Your name, we ask that You be in our midst. Let Your Holy Spirit fill this place, and let everyone who enters experience Your presence in a powerful way. May we be aware of You and respond to Your leading throughout the service.”
2. Praying for the Worship Team and Worship Experience
Worship prepares hearts to encounter God. Pray for the worship team and that the congregation will enter into deep, heartfelt worship.
Scripture:
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24)
Prayer:
“Father, we pray for the worship team as they lead us in worship. Let them be filled with Your Spirit and lead us with sincerity and truth. We ask that You prepare the hearts of the congregation to worship You in spirit and truth. May the worship be a sweet offering to You, and may it draw us closer to You.”
3. Praying for the Preaching of the Word
The preaching of God’s Word is central to every service. Pray that the message will be Spirit-led, clear, and impactful, transforming lives through the truth of Scripture.
Scripture:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Prayer:
“Lord, we lift up the pastor and the preaching of Your Word. Let the message be led by the Holy Spirit, powerful and full of truth. Open the hearts and minds of the congregation to receive the Word, and may it bring transformation, conviction, and encouragement. Let Your Word bring life to those who hear it.”
4. Praying for Salvation and New Beginnings
Pray for people attending the service, whether they are first-time visitors or those who do not yet know Christ, to experience salvation and the beginning of a new life in Jesus.
Scripture:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)
Prayer:
“Father, we pray for those in the service who do not yet know You. Let this Sunday be a day of salvation. Touch their hearts, draw them to Yourself, and let them experience the saving grace of Jesus Christ. May this be a day of new beginnings and transformation for many.”
5. Praying for Breakthroughs and Healing
Pray for people attending the service who are in need of a breakthrough—whether physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal. Ask for God’s power to be made manifest.
Scripture:
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.” (James 5:15)
Prayer:
“Lord, we pray for breakthroughs in the lives of those attending the service. For those in need of healing, we ask for Your healing touch. For those burdened with emotional or spiritual struggles, we ask for freedom and restoration. Let this Sunday be a time of miracles, healing, and breakthroughs as we trust in Your mighty power.”
6. Praying for the Congregation’s Hearts to be Open
Pray that every person who attends the service will have an open heart to receive what God has prepared for them, allowing the Spirit to work freely in their lives.
Scripture:
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)
Prayer:
“Father, we pray that You would soften the hearts of every person in the service. Remove any distractions or hardness of heart, and give us hearts that are open to receive Your Word. Let there be a spirit of receptivity, so that Your message can take root and bring lasting change.”
7. Praying for Unity Among the Congregation
Unity in the body of Christ is essential for God’s Spirit to move freely. Pray that there will be unity, love, and peace among the congregation.
Scripture:
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1)
Prayer:
“Lord, we pray for unity in our congregation. Let there be love, peace, and harmony among us as we worship and seek You together. Remove any divisions or strife, and help us to focus on You and Your purpose. May we be united in heart and spirit as we glorify You together.”
8. Praying for a Spirit of Expectation and Faith
When people come to church expecting God to move, their faith positions them to receive from Him. Pray for a spirit of faith and expectation in the congregation.
Scripture:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Prayer:
“Father, we pray for a spirit of faith and expectation in our church this Sunday. Let every person come to the service believing that You will move in their lives. Stir up faith in our hearts to expect the miraculous, to believe for breakthroughs, and to trust that You are at work in every situation.”
9. Praying for the Children’s Ministry
Pray for the children’s ministry and the young hearts that will be touched during the service. Ask God to bless the teachers and fill the children with a love for God from an early age.
Scripture:
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Prayer:
“Lord, we lift up the children’s ministry today. We pray for the teachers, that You would equip them with love, patience, and wisdom as they minister to the children. Let the young hearts be filled with a love for You, and let Your Word be planted deeply in them. Protect and guide them as they grow in faith.”
10. Praying for Protection Over the Service
Ask God for His protection over the church, leaders, and congregation, keeping them safe from any physical or spiritual harm during the service.
Scripture:
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
Prayer:
“Lord, we pray for Your protection over this Sunday service. Guard our church, the leaders, and every person attending from any physical or spiritual attacks. Cover us with Your divine protection and keep us safe in Your care. Let this service be a place where Your Spirit moves freely without hindrance or interference.”
11. Praying for Revival and Fresh Fire
Pray that the Sunday service will spark revival and bring a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit on the church, igniting hearts with passion for God’s Kingdom.
Scripture:
“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” (Psalm 85:6)
Prayer:
“Father, we pray for revival in our church. Let this Sunday service be the start of a fresh move of Your Spirit. Ignite hearts with passion for You and a desire to see Your Kingdom come. Revive us, fill us with fresh fire, and send us out to impact the world around us for Your glory.”
12. Praying for God’s Will to Be Done
Ultimately, we want God’s will to be done in every part of the service. Pray that His purpose will be accomplished and that He will have complete control over everything.
Scripture:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
Prayer:
“Lord, we surrender this Sunday service to You. Let Your will be done in every part of it, from the worship to the preaching and every interaction that takes place. We pray that Your Kingdom would come and that Your perfect purpose would be fulfilled in our midst.”
How to Use These Prayer Points
- Pre-Service Prayer: Use these prayer points in the hours leading up to the service, either personally or in a group, to cover the service in prayer.
- During the Service: Pray quietly during the service, asking God to move in specific areas such as the worship, the message, and the hearts of the congregation.
- Weekly Focus: Focus on one or two of these prayer points each week, and pray for different aspects of the Sunday service over time.
Final Thought:
Sunday services are opportunities for God to meet with His people, and prayer paves the way for His presence, power, and purpose to be released. These prayer points will help you pray strategically for your church, its leaders, and the congregation, ensuring that every Sunday is a time of transformation, growth, and encounter with God.