Pre-service prayers are essential for setting the tone of a worship service, inviting God’s presence, and preparing the hearts of both leaders and congregants. Praying before a service ensures that every aspect, from worship to the sermon, is anointed and aligned with God’s will. Here are powerful pre-service prayer points, each with a scripture to help guide the focus as you prepare for a time of worship and fellowship.
Pre-Service Prayer Points
1. Prayer for God’s Presence in the Service
- 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 service. We ask that You dwell among us and let Your glory fill this place. As we gather in Your name, let Your presence be tangible and real to each person here. May every heart encounter You in a powerful way today.
2. Prayer for Anointing upon the Worship Team
- Scripture: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.” — John 4:23
- Prayer:
- Father, we pray for the worship team as they lead us in songs of praise and worship. Anoint their voices and instruments with the power of Your Spirit. Let them lead us into true worship that glorifies You. May every note and every song draw us closer to Your throne.
3. Prayer for the Word of God to Be Powerful and Effective
- Scripture: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” — Isaiah 55:11
- Prayer:
- Lord, we pray for the Word that will be preached today. Let it be powerful and effective, touching the hearts of everyone who hears it. May Your Word bring transformation, conviction, and encouragement. Let it accomplish the purpose for which You have sent it, and may it not return void.
4. Prayer for Unity and Love Among Congregants
- Scripture: “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3
- Prayer:
- Father, we pray for unity and love among everyone gathered here today. Let us come together as one body, putting aside all differences. May the bond of peace be strong among us, and may our unity be a testimony of Your love. Help us to serve one another in humility and to encourage each other.
5. Prayer for Salvation and Transformation
- Scripture: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” — Luke 19:10
- Prayer:
- Lord, we pray that today’s service would be a time of salvation and transformation. We ask that hearts would be open to receive the gospel, and that those who do not know You will come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Let today be a day of breakthrough, repentance, and new beginnings.
6. Prayer for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
- Scripture: “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth.” — John 16:13
- Prayer:
- Holy Spirit, we welcome You to lead and guide this service. Take control of every aspect—our prayers, our worship, the preaching, and every heart in attendance. Let nothing be done by human effort, but by the direction and power of Your Spirit. Guide us into all truth and let us experience Your power.
7. Prayer for Healing and Deliverance
- Scripture: “And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick.” — Luke 5:17
- Prayer:
- Father, we pray that Your healing power would flow in today’s service. Let those who are sick, physically, emotionally, or spiritually, encounter Your healing touch. We pray for deliverance from every bondage and stronghold. May Your power be present to heal, restore, and set captives free.
8. Prayer for Spiritual Hunger and Expectation
- Scripture: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” — Matthew 5:6
- Prayer:
- Lord, create a deep hunger and thirst for Your presence and Your word in every heart today. Let us come with great expectation, ready to receive all that You have for us. May we not leave the same way we came, but be filled with Your Spirit and transformed by Your presence.
9. Prayer for Wisdom and Anointing on the Pastor/Preacher
- Scripture: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” — James 1:5
- Prayer:
- Father, we lift up the pastor and all those who will minister today. Grant them wisdom and understanding to speak Your Word with clarity and authority. Anoint them afresh with Your Spirit, that they may deliver the message with power and grace. Let every word spoken be guided by You and touch the hearts of those who hear.
10. Prayer for the Atmosphere of the Service
- Scripture: “But You are holy, You who inhabit the praises of Israel.” — Psalm 22:3
- Prayer:
- Lord, we pray that the atmosphere in this place would be filled with Your presence. Let this be a place where praises rise and Your glory dwells. Let every distraction be removed, and let the focus be on You alone. As we lift our praises to You, come and inhabit our worship.
11. Prayer for Protection Against Distractions and Spiritual Attacks
- Scripture: “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” — Exodus 14:14
- Prayer:
- Father, we come against every form of distraction, confusion, and spiritual attack that would try to hinder the flow of the service. We declare that this place is covered by the blood of Jesus, and every plan of the enemy is rendered powerless. Let Your angels guard this place and keep our hearts focused on You.
12. Prayer for Breakthrough and Miracles
- Scripture: “You are the God who performs miracles; You display Your power among the peoples.” — Psalm 77:14
- Prayer:
- Lord, we ask for breakthroughs and miracles in today’s service. Let there be testimonies of Your goodness and power. Move in a way that only You can, and let every need be met according to Your riches in glory. May Your power be displayed among us, and may all glory be given to You.
13. Prayer for a Spirit of Joy and Freedom in Worship
- Scripture: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” — 2 Corinthians 3:17
- Prayer:
- Father, we pray for a spirit of joy and freedom to fill this place as we worship You. Let every burden be lifted, and let every heart be filled with Your joy. May we worship with abandon, knowing that You have given us freedom through Christ. Let Your joy overflow in every heart today.
14. Prayer for God’s Will to Be Done
- Scripture: “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” — Matthew 6:10
- Prayer:
- Lord, we surrender this service into Your hands, and we pray that Your will be done. Let everything that happens today be according to Your purpose and plan. We ask that Your kingdom come in power, and that Your will be accomplished in every life. May this service bring glory to Your name.
15. Prayer for the Growth of the Church
- Scripture: “And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:47
- Prayer:
- Father, we pray that through this service, many would be drawn to You. Let our church grow as people encounter Your love and truth. We ask for increase, not only in numbers but also in spiritual depth. Let this be a place where people find purpose, healing, and a family in the body of Christ.
Final Thoughts
These pre-service prayer points are designed to help you pray effectively as you prepare for a worship service. They cover various aspects of the service to ensure that everything flows according to God’s will and that every person in attendance encounters His presence. As you pray, believe that God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you ask or think, according to His power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20). Let your prayers create an atmosphere for a powerful move of God.