Opening Prayers
Praying at the beginning of a meeting is a great way of reminding ourselves that God is with us, that He is at the centre of everything we do, and that the reason we are alive is to love and worship Him. Traditionally referred to as an “invocation”, a good opening prayer will remind us of who God is, invite the Lord to present amongst us, and create a sense of anticipation in what God might do as we are gathered.
This page features several prayers that can be used for opening meetings and Christian events such as sunday church services, bible studies and fellowships. There's also a "how to" on saying your own prayer and a sample opening prayer for inclusion in a program or event.
resources on this page
How to say an opening prayer
Sample opening prayer
Opening prayer for worship
Fellowship prayer
Opening prayer for a program
Short opening prayer
Bible study opening prayer
What to say before starting a prayer
Prayer before a message
Opening Prayer
As we gather here in the harbour of your safety, we thank you for fellowship and family. We ask that you will strengthen us, restore us and inspire us with your love. Lord, would you fill us with your peace, so that as we journey onwards we would pour out your love and grace to others.
We ask that our souls would catch the wind of your spirit, so that we would take your promises to all the earth. Amen.
(prayer by Julie Palmer © www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Opening Prayer
An beautifully read opening prayer, suitable for showing at the beginning of a seminar or before a sermon or bible teaching session:-
I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.
Martin Luther
Opening Prayer for a Meeting
Dear Father,
We thank you for everyone gathered here now.
Thank you that you know each of us by name and have caused us to walk with You.
We say that we are dependant on You and our trust is in You completely.
As we surrender ourselves in adoration we ask that You would come by Your Holy Spirit and inspire our hearts today.
Come fill our lives with Your love,
Fill our conversations with Your grace and truth,
Fill this meeting with Your presence.
We ask this for Your glory and praise.
Amen.
(a modern opening prayer for a meeting from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Opening Prayer
a printable version suitable for a program or event.
Opening Prayer for Worship or a Church Service
Dear Lord and Father,
Thank you that you promise us that where two or three are gathered you are there in the midst.
Lord we welcome You amongst us today and celebrate the gift of life that you have lavished upon each of us.
We ask that You would open our ears so that we may hear your voice.
Open our minds so that we may receive Your eternal wisdom.
Open our spirits so that we may know Your leading and guidance.
And open our hearts so that we may receive Your wonderful love.
We ask all this in the glorious name of Jesus.
Amen.
(a opening prayer for a worship meeting from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Related bible verses: Matthew 18:20, Acts 16:14, Ephesians 3:18.
Opening prayer for a program
Father, today we celebrate your great love for us. We come with gratitude in our hearts as we gather here together for this occasion. Thank you that you are present here by your Holy Spirit. May you speak into our minds, for we your servants are listening. May you speak into our hearts, for we your children are attentive, and may you speak into our lives, for our desire is to live for you. Lord, we commit this time to you now for your glory and praise. Amen.
(from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Opening Prayer for a Bible Study
God, you have made the heavens and the earth.
You have revealed your beauty in creation
and inspired the book that we are now about to study.
Please help us now as we read together.
Take us deeper into understanding more about you
and your love for us.
Amen.
(a opening prayer for a bible study from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
What should I say before starting a prayer?
If you are about to begin a meeting with prayer, it is a good idea to preface the prayer with words like “Let us pray together now” or simply “let us pray”. You could also say something like “It’s wonderful to be together today as we…” (then add in the occasion, such as a worship service or church meeting). If the event has many people unfamiliar with church or liturgy, you may want to briefly explain what prayer is, e.g. by saying “We’re going to begin with a short prayer. Praying is simply talking to God, and we’re going to do this together now! Let us pray.”
The divine pattern of prayer is to pray to the Father, in the name of the Son, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
anon.
Opening Prayer for a Fellowship Meeting
Father, thank you for bringing us here today. We are so grateful to be able to worship you, to hear from you, and to fellowship together as sons and daughters of the King. As we meet, may our hearts be joined as one, just as your Son prayed we would be. Thank you for the many talents and giftings you have given us. May we listen and hear from each other and in doing so sense your still small voice speaking dearly to us. We ask all this in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.
(from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Related bible verses: Psalm 133, John 17:21-24, 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.
Opening prayer before a message
Lord, thank you for your servant who is about to speak to us now. We pray that you would bless all the preparation he/she has done for this message. Please give them clarity of mind as they communicate the things that you have laid on their heart. We ask that they may be able to fully share all these great thoughts and insights. And we pray for ourselves, that our hearts would be receptive to your Holy Spirit. Lord, come speak to us now. We ask all this in the beautiful name of Jesus. Amen.
(a sermon prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Traditional Prayers
Sometimes you may want to start your meeting or service by everyone praying together. In which case, a traditional prayer may be useful. Here are some suggestions:• The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven...
(read more)
• The Glory Be
Glory be to the Father...
(read more)
• The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity...
(read more)
Online Opening Prayer
An inspiring short opening prayer suitable for beginning a meeting or service. With beautiful images of a sailing boat in the waters and uplifting music:-
How to write or say an opening prayer
• Begin by addressing God
When we come to God it's often good to think about an attribute or title that God has - this helps to remind us of who He is.
E.G. "Dear all loving and everlasting Father"
"Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ"
"Dear Lord and Father"
• Give thanks to God
Here we think about and celebrate the relationship that we enjoy with God. For example, you could recount God's faithfulness to you (or the groups) during the last week, or you could draw on accounts and experiences from the bible.
E.G. "Thank you that you have been with us this last week and that Your presence is with us now"
"Today we remind ourselves of Your faithfulness through all generations and Your goodness to each of us during this last week".
• Bring Your Requests to Him
Here you can bring to mind some things that you would like to see happen as you meet together. If there is a speaker you could ask that God inspires them, if there is worship you could ask that God meets with people and that hearts are open to receive from Him etc.
E.G. "Lord, we thank you for (name of speaker). We pray that you would give them great inspiration as they share what You have placed on their heart".
"Father, as we come to You in worship, we invite You to move freely amongst us. Come and transform us by Your Holy Spirit we pray"
• Close with worship and an amen
A good way of finishing a prayer is to acknowledge the greatness and wonder of God in some way. Also, it is important that people know you have finished praying by saying amen!
E.G. "For from him and through him and for him are all things, both now and forever. Amen". (this is a reference to the Apostle Paul's writings in Rom 11:36 NIV)
"To Him be the glory, for ever and ever. Amen"
"We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour. Amen"
Sample Opening Prayer
So putting some of these sentences together, we can start to build our own opening prayer to God:Almighty God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Thank you that you have been with us this last week and that Your presence is with us now.
Lord, we thank you for (name of speaker). We pray that you would give them great inspiration as they share with us what You have placed on their heart.
We pray that You would fill them with courage and give them Your peace.
We ask this in the precious name of Jesus, Our Lord and Saviour.
Amen.
(a sample opening prayer from www.lords-prayer-words.com)
Short Opening Prayer
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Except in Lent, Alleluia may be added.
(Source: 1979 Book of Common Prayer, Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA)
Take a moment to hear from God...
here are links to some wonderfully inspired prayers to aid your journey