How To Prepare The Opening Prayer for Sunday Corporate Worship (Updated Jan 2026)
Hi ANF Family,
As we begin a new year with a renewed heart for worship, I believe it would be good to share something I wrote in September 2022, which is available on our website. Below is an updated version
How to Prepare the Opening Prayer for Sunday Corporate Worship
#LettersFromPD
Updated Version (January 5, 2026)
During the opening prayer, I sometimes hear a long prayer specifically for me. While I truly appreciate your love and concern, I often worry about how visitors and non-believers may perceive our opening prayers.
I do need your prayers, but I ask that you pray for me during your personal prayer time, not during the opening prayer. Because of this conviction, I feel compelled to write this message and to help you prepare the opening prayer for Sunday corporate worship.
Please remember that the purpose of the opening prayer is to prepare our hearts to worship God sincerely and to bear witness to non-believers who are worshiping with us. I encourage you to consider including the following five elements in your prayer.
Before Sunday, please write out your entire prayer and send it to the worship team at dannyjukim@gmail.com by 9:00 PM on Saturday. On Sunday, read your prayer with a reverent heart of worship, not influenced by your mood or by a lack of preparation. Only members are allowed to volunteer for the opening prayer. For the prayer, it would be best to print out your written prayer rather than viewing it on a phone. Also, please dress in a way that reflects reverence for worship; kindly refrain from wearing slippers or hats during the opening prayer.
1. Adoration / Praise
Purpose: To give glory and praise to God for His grace, love, goodness, patience, righteousness, guidance, and more.
Example: Father God, we are here today to worship You. You are the God who created us in Your own likeness. Even though we have all gone astray in our own ways, You have never given up on loving us. Thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to forgive our sins and to show us Your unconditional love.
2. Confession of Sins
Purpose:
(a) To repent of sins and wrongdoings throughout the week and throughout our lives, including repeated sins and addictions
(b) To seek forgiveness from God and from those we have wronged
(c) To forgive those who have wronged us
(d) To ask God for help in bearing the fruits of repentance
Example: Father God, forgive our sins. We have failed You so many times. Instead of choosing Your ways, we chose our own ways. Instead of loving others, we only wanted to be loved. Instead of serving others, we only wanted to be served. We pursued worldly desires instead of You and failed to spend time with You. Please forgive us and change us, Lord.
3. Thanksgiving
Purpose: To give thanks to God for answered prayers and for the specific blessings He has given us in our personal lives, church life, and house church life.
Example: Father God, we give thanks to You for answering our prayers. We prayed for our missionaries in Egypt regarding their difficult housing situation. Thank You for providing a way for them to extend their rent and for giving them more time to find another home. We also thank You for the visitors who are with us today. We pray that they would experience a glimpse of Your love and grace through today’s message and through our words and actions.
4. Request
Purpose: To pray for the church, the Sunday message, and important upcoming events shared in the church announcements.
Example: Father God, we want to pray for our church. Thank You for giving us this spiritual community to protect us and guide us in this broken world. Help us fulfill the purpose of our church—to reach out to VIPs and to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ. Help us open our hearts and eyes to see where Your heart is and to go and serve there with You, Lord.
We also want to pray for today’s message. Please prepare our hearts to receive Your Word. Allow Your truth to be proclaimed clearly and faithfully, and help us listen with humility and obedience. May Your Word not only inform us but transform us, leading us to repentance, faith, and action.
We lift up our pastor, leaders, and shepherds to You, Lord. Help them be good examples for others to follow, and bless their families. Allow them to experience the joy and fruit of serving.
5. Intercession
Purpose: To pray for the world, the poor, the sick, orphans, widows, sojourners, the persecuted, ANF missionaries, and house church missionaries.
Example: Father God, we pray for those who have lost their homes, families, and jobs because of war. Please remember them and show them Your grace and comfort. If You desire to use us, let us know. We are willing to be Your hands and feet.
We also pray for those struggling because of inflation and the current economic situation. Provide what they need to live, and grant them wisdom and strength to endure this season well.
We lift up our ANF missionaries, Kilho Kim and Changmoon Kang. Help them experience revival through early morning corporate prayer, and allow the spirit of house church ministry to be firmly established in their work.
We also pray for our house church missionaries. Please open doors for them to build meaningful relationships with local people and lead them to Christ.
6. Closing
Purpose: To ask for God’s help to worship without distraction, to listen attentively, and to obey His Word.
Example: Father God, we desire to know You more and grow deeper in Your love through today’s worship. Help us set aside distractions and give You our full attention. Allow us to experience the presence and movement of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. We love You, Lord. Thank You.
In the name of Jesus—our Savior, King, and Lord—we pray. Amen.
