How to pray for Carlisle for 1 hour

Here are some suggestions below as to how and what to pray. It may be that you have other thoughts and direction but you may wish to use this outline. Bible readings have been suggested to aid your praying.

1) 10 minutes Praise and Thanks. Read Psalm 100

Do as it says - enter His gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Spend time praising God for who He is and thanking Him for any of the good things He has done for you or around you.
Alternatively you may wish to use some suitable music to play that helps you focus and worship God.

2) 10 minutes Confession. Read Psalm 66:18

Our sin is a barrier to God. So, confess any of the sins that are getting in the way of your walk with God. For each sin admit that you've done wrong; and not walked in His ways. Say sorry to Him for this. Receive His forgiveness.

3) 10 minutes Praise, thanks and confession for Carlisle

Give praise and thanks for any of the good things in and around Carlisle.

Start to confess the sins of our city. You can't directly say sorry for them all but you can identify with them; recognizing the wrong we have done over the years, confessing any personal part you have had and asking for grace and mercy upon our city.

Sin affects us over time, so you can include recent and historical sin. Eg Violence; bloodshed; pride (rejecting any need for God) ; love of money; materialism; selfishness; false worship (putting anything as more important than God - eg job, money, clothes, friends, TV,..); anger; lust/sexual sin (adultery, pornography...); and any others you may think of.

You may wish to write these down on a piece of paper in the prayer room and then pin them up before God.

4) 10minutes prayer for Carlisle Christians - the family of God

a) Pray for a refreshing of the meaning of Easter for Carlisle Christians. Pray for a move of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and minds of those that know Christ.

b) Pray that this would overflow to friends, family and neighbours, particularly drawing those that do not yet know Christ as Lord and Saviour. Pray for your own friends, family and neighbours that the true meaning of The Cross and Resurrection would be revealed to them. Name them before God.

c) Try naming and praying for at least 1 friend; 1 non-Christian member of family; 1 neighbour; and 1 work colleague, school contact or school friend.

5) 10 minutes prayer for the City

a) City leaders - that councillors, MP(s) would have godly wisdom; that they would have boldness to stand up for godly values; that they would know Christ.

b) City Schools - that godly values would flow from the Headteachers down. Pray against bullying, violence and peer pressure. Pray for CU's and Christians, both teachers and pupils.

c) Police - for reduction in crime figures; for miraculous intervention in bringing significant individuals to justice; for reductions in drug and alcohol abuse.

d) Other - whatever the Holy Spirit guides.

6) 10 minutes interceding to turn Carlisle to God

a) Think of the way that Easter has been commercialized. Ask for God's mercy and forgiveness for this. Ask that individuals, businesses, shop owners and the like will have their hearts softened to the Lord. Name them specifically if you can.

b) Pray for a fresh renewal of ‘Christ-centredness' in Carlisle. Perhaps focus on The Cross and The Resurrection. Then ask God to send His blessing to come upon Carlisle - upon families, marriages, broken relationships; hurting, lonely and even dying people; those lost in despair, hopelessness and depression; from children to grandparents that they would receive hope, healing and inspiration from The Light Of The World.

c) Pray for an outpouring of God upon our city...

Enjoy your praying and do give feedback as you feel necessary.