FCC GRAYSON
Weekly Prayer Directives
We will provide weekly prayer directives as we go through our 2024 study on The Gospel According to John. We encourage you to make these part of your regular prayer time.
Faithful in Failure
Monday
The woman watching the gate asked Peter if he was one of the disciples. “No,” he said, “I am not.” Forgive us, Lord, for those times when our loyalty wavers and withers under the onslaught of unexpected trials.
Tuesday
Give God thanks for the knowledge that even in our Peter- like failures, our impatience and confusion, His love for us never wavers. He restores us and makes us stronger even when our weakness causes us to fail.
Wednesday
Peter and Jesus were both being questioned. Peter denied Jesus. Jesus stood firm and denied nothing. Peter gave in to save himself, Jesus persevered to save us. Pray for strength to stand firm and be courageous in our faith.
Thursday
Peter denied Jesus even a second and third time. Pray that this would be a warning to us who would self-confidently claim that we would follow Jesus wherever He leads. Help us Lord, not to boast in our own abilities, but to recognize His great love for us and our need for a Savior.
Friday
Immediately after Peter’s third denial, a rooster crowed, signifying the dawning of a new day; an opportunity for repentance and restoration by a gracious God. Thank Him, today that He is faithful to forgive us when we repent and surrender to Him.
Prayer of Jesus
Day 1
Thank Him today that we are chosen, set apart and
sanctified because we are a part of the Body of Christ. Help
us to live each day in obedience and submission to the
Spirit.
​
Day 2
Jesus prayed that “all who are mine belong to You.” Ask the
Lord to use you as a witness to the world of His goodness
and grace. May we be increasingly set apart each day until
it is not I, but Christ who lives in me.
​
Day 3
Pray that all who are called by His name would be knit
together in the unity of His spirit and united together in the
truth of His word.
​
Day 4
Pray today that the Father would be glorified, that Jesus
would be glorified. May our words and thoughts and deeds
not only honor Him, but may they reveal His presence to
the world.
​
Day 5
Pray for oneness in the church in the same way that the
Father and Son are one, so that the world may know. Guard
us from division, from not living in the one You have
created us for.
Joy Unspeakable
Day 1
The disciples had many questions about things they didn’t
understand. Ask our heavenly father for wisdom and
understanding. Pray that we will always trust Him and be
faithful, even with things we don’t understand.
​
Day 2
Jesus comforted his disciples by promising that their
sorrow will turn to joy. Pray for those walking in darkness,
that they may draw hope from the promise of Jesus and
their sorrow will turn to joy.
​
Day 3
Give thanks today that we have been given authority to pray
in Jesus name and receive. Through Jesus, believers can ask
the Father directly and we will receive and have abundant
joy.
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Day 4
Jesus tell us that here on earth we will have many trials and
sorrows. Pray for those who are currently experiencing
trials and sorrows. And give thanks that in spite of those
sufferings believers can have peace in Him.
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Day 5
Lord Jesus, You are our strength and our peace. You’ve
already faced, conquered and overcome the world. Help us
to carry this triumphant spirit into every circumstance,
walking not in fear, but in confidence and with great joy
because of your victory.
Work of the Spirit
Day 1
Jesus told the disciples that it was best that he goes away, because if he doesn’t the Advocate won’t come. If he does go away then he will send the Advocate to us. Thank Him today for sending the Holy Spirit, who lives in us, who comforts us, encourages us, and guides us each day.
​
Day 2
Jesus says that the work of the Holy Spirit is to convict the world of its sin, of God’s righteousness and of the coming judgment. Holy Spirit, help us in our unbelief and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Help us to see the areas in our life that haven't been surrendered to you.
Day 3
Pray that we would see our sin the way God sees it. May we be convicted by our sin and abandon our worldly ways and learn the ways of God.
Day 4
Today, let’s pray that we would be guided through His word and by the Holy Spirit into all truth, wisdom and understanding.
Day 5
We praise you today, Lord, for the Holy Spirit, who shows us the glory of the Son who died and rose again, whom to see is to see the Father.
Warning of Persecution
Day 1
Jesus commands us to love one another the way He has
loved us. Pray that our lives would be completely
surrendered into His hands and that His Spirit of love would
flow through us to others so that we can love them as
Christ loved us.
​
Day 2
There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for
one’s friend. And while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us. He chose us and calls us His friends and commands us
to love one another. Thank our heavenly father today for
the greatest of all examples of love.
​
Day 3
John 15:18 states “If the world hates you, remember that it
hated me first.” Pray that when trials come our way for
righteousness sake, we will keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,
who is the hope of our calling. And thank Him for the
promise that He will keep us through the difficulties,
persecution, and pain that all who live in Christ will
experience.
​
Day 4
Pray that we will always be ready to speak the truth in love,
to proclaim His word boldly, and to be ready to give an
answer for the hope that is within us.
​
Day 5
Pray the the Lord would help us to love those who hate us
and pray for those who persecute us for His name’s sake.
The True Vine
Day 1
Jesus is the true vine and God is the gardener. Direct your focus today on the promises and truths that we discover in Christ, our true vine. Pray that through His life in us, we may produce much fruit that glorifies the Father in heaven.
John 15:1
Day 2
Branches are pruned so that they will produce even more fruit. Ask God to prune, or take away anything in our lives that is not good and fruitful, and do such a work in us that we may bear even more fruit to His glory.
John 15:2
Day 3
When we try to do things in our own strength, we fail to live a life that is pleasing to God. Pray today for a life lived as Christ lived, in total reliance on God. And, that we only do those things that are prompted by the holy spirit.
John 15:4
Day 4
Apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Ask the Father to teach you and guide you daily. Pray that we would abide in Him and remain connected to Him so that we don’t become a useless branch that withers and dies.
John 15:5-6
Day 5
Jesus commanded us to love each other in the same way he has loved us. When we obey his commands our lives will be filled with His joy. Pray for a heart that loves like Christ loved. Thank Him today that we can live a joyful, fruitful life and bring much glory and honor to the Father.
John 15:9-11
A New Commandment
Day 1
Pray that we would love one another in a way that shows
the world what the love of Christ looks like in action,
through acts of service.
​
Day 2
Focus on fully understanding that as a follower of Jesus we
live under God’s authority. Pray that we would live in
submission to His will, understanding that we are not our
own anymore. Jesus is the master of our life.
​
Day 3
Jesus instructed us to love one another, just as He has
loved us. Ask Him to help you live out this new
commandment daily showing His love to others. Pray for
opportunities to show that love.
​
Day 4
Jesus humbled himself and served others. Ask Him to help
us lay aside our own status and privilege and take the form
of a servant.
​
Day 5
Focus on understanding that our power to love like Jesus
comes through maintaining a strong connection to Him.
Help us live in constant and perfect union with the Father.
​
John 13:31-35
IF I THEN
Day 1
Jesus demonstrates His love for His disciples. He even washes the feet of the one He knew would betray Him. Ask our Heavenly Father to give us the power, wisdom and insight we need and then provide us the opportunities to love others as He has loved us.
John 13:4-11
Day 2
The disciples didn’t understand the lesson Jesus was teaching them. Acknowledge that there are times in our lives that we don’t understand the reasons He allows certain things to happen. Pray that He would help us to simply trust Him in all things and that we would grow in grace as we submit to His will for our lives.
John 13:7
Day 3
Focus today on the beautiful examples Jesus gave us of how we should live our lives. May we decrease and our life in Him increase. Pray that we would live a life of love and truth, humility and grace, so that Christ would be seen in us.
John 13:14
Day 4
Jesus’ example suggests that loving as He has loved means taking the role of a servant, caring for the needs of others without expecting anything in return. Pray that He would give us a heart full of selfless love for others, even those who have disappointed us, hurt us, or betrayed us.
John 13:14-17
Day 5
Focus today on thanking our Father in heaven for all of the blessings that are ours because we are living a life that honors Him.
John 13:17
Wish to See Jesus
Day 1
Mary took a twelve ounce jar of expensive perfume and
anointed Jesus’ feet with it, wiping His feet with her hair.
Focus today on always giving our best to God, whether it be
in our giving, or our talents and time.
John 12:3
​
Day 2
Pray that we would die to the ways of the world. Help us to
put away the things of this world and our old sinful nature
and live according to His word. Pray that our new lives in
Him would bear much fruit.
John 12:24
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Day 3
Ask God to reveal to you the things in your life that He is
calling you to die to.
John 12:24
​
Day 4
Pray for a heart that despises life in the world and instead
longs for a life that honors Jesus and brings others to Him.
John 12:25
​
Day 5
Pray that the Lord would give us a heart of service. Pray that
He would teach us to serve the way he wants us to serve
Him and where He wants us to serve.
John 12:26
​
“You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed you
glorying in yourself.”
Charles Spurgeon
Resurrection & Life
Day 1
Thank God today for teaching us faith, perseverance, and trust from the story of Lazarus. Sickness, sin and death have all been conquered forever through the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus.
John 11:4
Day 2
When Jesus arrived in Bethany, he was told that Lazarus had already been dead for four days. Thank Him that we can reach out to Him in the situations in our life that seem hopeless, knowing that He is the Lord over hopeless, and we can trust Him even in those times.
John 11:17-19
Day 3
Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had only been here, my brother would not have died.” Acknowledge the times when we question God. Ask Him to help us fully rely on His promises.
John 11:21
Day 4
Thank God for adopting us into His family and that death can never claim us. Ask Him to help us live in confidence and the fullness of our new life knowing that we are His through Jesus.
John 11:25-26
Day 5
Focus on the God who always hears our prayers. Help us, that our hearts would always be aligned with the will of the Father and that our highest aim would be to bring glory to God.
John 11:41-42
The Good Shepherd
Day 1
Ask God to help you to know the voice of a stranger
immediately and flee to Jesus before you are misled or led
astray by the evil one.
John 10:1
​
Day 2
Jesus is the good shepherd who cares for you no matter who
you are or what you’ve done. Pray that you will always
recognize the voice of the good shepherd and follow His voice.
Thank Him that you are a part of His flock.
John 10:3-4
​
Day 3
Jesus called himself the gate; and that those who come in
through him would be saved. Thank Him that you can come to
the Father and He will guard you and give you life, and give it
abundantly.
John 10:9-10
​
Day 4
Focus on the sacrifice that was made so that you might be
saved. The good shepherd sacrificed his life for his sheep.
Thank Him for His great love for us.
John 10:11
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Day 5
Focus on the good shepherd. Ask God to help you be sensitive
to His leading and eager to obey His commands.
John 10:27-29
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Day 6
Thank Him that you can be confident in the good shepherd and
that you can feel safe and secure, knowing that no one can
snatch you from the Father’s hand.
John 10:29-30
Born Blind
Day 1
Ask God to help us to view people through the eyes of Jesus, so
that we will see them as people in whom the work of God needs
to be done.
John 9:3
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Day 2
Jesus states that night is coming and then no one can work.
Pray that we can use every opportunity set before us to do the
work of the Father and to share the gospel, knowing that night
is coming.
John 9:4
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Day 3
Let’s thank God for lifting us out of darkness and into His
glorious light. Pray that we would be used as a reflection of the
true light and shine the light of His love to those around us.
John 9:5
​
Day 4
Thank God for the example of the blind man and his developing
faith. Pray that we would have eyes to see the truth and not be
influenced by a worldly mindset.
John 9:25
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Day 5
What a privilege it is to go to our Heavenly Father in prayer.
Thank God that He is ready and listening to those who worship
Him and do His will, even in the midst of our pain.
John 9:31
​
Day 6
Today, let’s pray for all those who are spiritually blind, for
those who are lost and seeking fulfillment in their lives. Help us
to be the ones who reach out to the lost and lonely in our
broken world.
John 9:40-41
Light of the World
Day 1
Pray that we would remember the words of Jesus when He said, “Let
the one who is without sin throw the first stone.” Ask Him to keep us
mindful of our own shortcomings and refrain from judging others; that
we would show compassion and love to those who may have
stumbled.
John 8:7
​
Day 2
Jesus stood up again and said to the woman “Where are your
accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” Then He told her
“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Ask God to help you live as your
new creation, fully taking advantage of the forgiveness He provides,
and walk in truth and freedom.
John 8:10-12
​
Day 3
The Pharisees kept questioning Jesus because they didn’t know Him.
Jesus said “If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Pray
that we would truly know Jesus; that our relationship with Him would
continue to grow.
John 8:13-20
​
Day 4
Jesus told the people who believed in Him that they were truly His
disciples if they remain faithful to his teachings. Pray that we would
remain faithful followers, obeying His commands.
John 8:31-32
​
Day 5
Jesus told the people that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. And
that when the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Thank God today
that we are free from the bondage of sin, free from the penalty of sin,
and free from the guilt and shame of sin.
John 8:34-36
​
Day 6
Pray that God would keep us from the sin of pride and unbelief. Ask
that He would give us discernment in all areas of our life, so that we
don’t fall prey to the lies of the evil one. Pray that we would look to
Jesus, moment by moment, and walk in truth.
John 8:44
Casting Stones
Day 1
Pray that we would remember the words of Jesus when He said, “Let
the one who is without sin throw the first stone.” Ask Him to keep us
mindful of our own shortcomings and refrain from judging others; that
we would show compassion and love to those who may have
stumbled.
John 8:7
​
Day 2
Jesus stood up again and said to the woman “Where are your
accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” Then He told her
“Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” Ask God to help you live as your
new creation, fully taking advantage of the forgiveness He provides,
and walk in truth and freedom.
John 8:10-12
​
Day 3
The Pharisees kept questioning Jesus because they didn’t know Him.
Jesus said “If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Pray
that we would truly know Jesus; that our relationship with Him would
continue to grow.
John 8:13-20
​
Day 4
Jesus told the people who believed in Him that they were truly His
disciples if they remain faithful to his teachings. Pray that we would
remain faithful followers, obeying His commands.
John 8:31-32
​
Day 5
Jesus told the people that everyone who sins is a slave of sin. And
that when the Son sets you free, you are truly free. Thank God today
that we are free from the bondage of sin, free from the penalty of sin,
and free from the guilt and shame of sin.
John 8:34-36
​
Day 6
Pray that God would keep us from the sin of pride and unbelief. Ask
that He would give us discernment in all areas of our life, so that we
don’t fall prey to the lies of the evil one. Pray that we would look to
Jesus, moment by moment, and walk in truth.
John 8:44
Confused About Christ
Day1
Jesus faced rejection; even rejection by his own family. Pray that
when we are rejected we seek God, for He is our refuge. We can
connect with Him in prayer and pour out our hearts, knowing he will
never reject us.
John 7:5
Day 2
There was grumbling about Jesus in the crowds. Some said Jesus
was a fraud. But no one had the courage to speak favorably about
him. Ask God to grant us the courage to speak the truth in love about
who Jesus is in situations of disagreement.
John 7:12-13
Day 3
Let’s thank God for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of all
his children. Pray for a teachable spirit and guidance into all truth.
John 7:17
Day 4
The Lord looks beneath the surface and sees our heart. Pray that we
would be filled with His Spirit and be empowered to live according to
the Truth. We don’t want any untruths or falsehoods within us.
John 7:24
Day 5
There was talk among the people concerning whether the leaders
would know that Jesus was the Messiah. Pray that we may know Him
more; that we may have life and be brought into close, personal
fellowship with Jesus.
John 7:29
Day 6
On the last day of the festival, Jesus shouted to the crowds that
anyone who is thirsty may come to Him and drink. Thank Him that He
is the living water that satisfies the thirsty soul and the heavenly
bread that feeds the hungry heart.
John 7:37
The Bread of Life
Day 1
Jesus tested Philip...a faith test, concerned with the recognition of Jesus’ and the graciousness of God, already knowing what he was going to do. Ask God to help us act in keeping with our knowledge and recognition of God and who he is, when we are tested.
John 6:6
Day 2
A storm came upon the disciples as they were in a boat headed towards Capernaum, and the sea grew very rough. Pray that we would learn to trust Jesus more through the storms in our life.
John 6:16-18
Day 3
The crowd got in their boat and went to Capernaum seeking Jesus. Jesus said to them “....you are looking for me not because you saw the signs I performed, but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.” Pray that we would be true seekers, seeking Him because of who he is.
John 6:26
Day 4
Ask God to help us continue to trust and believe in him daily, with every step we take in life. We know that it is only through the power of the holy spirit that we are able to do the works that God has prepared us to do.
John 6:29
Day 5
“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” Let’s thank him that his word is food for our soul and refreshment for our heart. And that his Son came into the world to be the Bread from Heaven and give life to those who are dead in their sin.
John 6:35
Day 6
Many disciples began complaining and then turned away from Jesus. Pray that we would be true disciples, not just hearing the Word, but that we would be faithful and obedient, trusting Him in all things.
John 6:60-66
Deity Announced
Day 1
One of the men lying by the pool had been sick for thirty eight years.
Jesus asked the man “Do you want to be healed?” Let’s focus on the realization that our biggest disease isn’t what appears in our bodies. Instead, this disease hides in our hearts. Ask God to make you well. Ask Him to transform you to be more like Jesus.
John 5:5-6
Day 2
Pray that we won’t offer excuses or look for reasons why we can’t do
what God asks us to do. Let’s shift our focus away from ourselves
and our abilities and trust in God’s power more.
John 5:7
Day 3
The Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath
rules and tried even harder to find a way to kill him. Pray that we
would be lead by all truth and away from any form of religiosity or
legalistic thinking. And, that we are lead by the perfect Godhead -
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, all equal, all One God.
John 5:16-18
Day 4
Jesus tells us that those who listen to his message and believe in
God will have eternal life. Thank God for the promise of eternal life;
that we will never be condemned for our sin and have already passed
from death into life.
John 5:24
Day 5
Ask God to help you honor Him by seeking not to please ourselves,
but to please Him. Ask Him to help you understand that without Him
we can do nothing.
John 5:30
Day 6
Jesus speaks of those who refuse to come to Him. There are many
who still reject him today and who refuse to accept the truth of
scripture. Let’s pray today for the lost, that they might be convicted of
their need for a savior, and surrender their heart and lives to Jesus
before it’s too late.
John 5:40
Starting Over
Day 1
Nicodemus was a Jewish religious teacher who sought
out Jesus in order to learn more about who he was. Ask God for
a teachable spirit just as Nicodemus had. May we not trust in
our own understanding, but trust that not only does He have the
answer, He is the answer. John 3:1-2
Day 2
Focus on thanking Him that we have the opportunity to be
born again simply by trusting and accepting Jesus Christ as our
Savior. A free gift of grace given to all who believe that Jesus is
the Son of God. John 3:3
Day 3
Focus on thinking that as Moses lifted up the serpent in
the wilderness, Jesus came to earth and was lifted up on
Calvary’s cross so that by faith we can have eternal life. John 3:14-15
Day 4
Thank Him for sending his one and only son to die for our
sins. Thank Him that the blood of Jesus paid the full penalty for
our sins and that the power of sin in our lives has been broken
through Him. John 3:16
Day 5
Ask God to help us be the light in a dark world so that
people would be lead to Jesus. Help us to shine the light of His
love into many hearts. John 3:20-21
Day 6
Ask God to help us follow John the Baptist’s example and
every day be ready to testify that Jesus is the Christ. Ask Him to
prepare you to speak confidently to others about the role of
Jesus in your life. John 3:30
Signs of God
Day 1
God’s timing is always perfect. Ask Him for a deeper
understanding and a deeper trust that our future is always safe in
His hands.
Day 2
Pray that we would always point others away from
ourselves and towards Jesus, just as Mary did. May we lift him
up in all we say and do.
Day 3
John tells us of many miraculous signs Jesus did. Pray
that we have eyes to see the ways that Jesus is still at work in
our lives today.
Day 4
Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. Pray that we
fully understand what that entails as we grasp that we have the
indwelling of the Spirit of God living within our own human
bodies.
Day 5
God knows our hearts. He knows our every thought,
every word and every action. All are open and exposed before
Him. Focus on thanking God that our salvation is not based on
our righteousness, but is judged on the righteousness of Christ,
who died in our place so we might be new creations in Christ.
May our words, deeds and motives be pleasing to him...not
simply because he knows our every thought anyway, but out of a
growing love for Him.
Day 6
Focus on the areas of our lives that need transformation.
Ask God to drive out whatever dishonors Him and help us to
make any needed changes in our lives. May all areas of our lives
be in alignment with His will.
Encountering the Word
Day 1
Focus on thanking Him for sending Jesus, the Word, who was with the Father before the world began, to live among us as a real human being.
Day 2
Focus on thanking Him that by believing in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, we find life...real life...eternal life.
Day 3
Focus on thanking Him for showing us who He is, that we may know who we are through and because of Jesus.
Day 4
Pray that God would open our eyes to who He really is so that His name would be treasured in our hearts above all things.
Day 5
Ask Him to develop in us a willingness to die to our own self- importance and be ready and willing to point people to Jesus, just as John the Baptist did.
Day 6
Pray that just like Philip and Nathanael, we are always ready and willing to respond to the call of Jesus in our lives.