Opening prayer is an important part of any meeting. The opening prayer should be well thought out, concise, and inviting. However, this can sometimes be difficult when you are not sure how to pray. This blog post provides some ideas on how to pray for your group meeting.
The suggestions here are not intended to be a “one-size-fits-all” approach. You are free to edit, adapt, and modify as you feel led.
Feel free to share your own ideas in the comments below!
Examples of opening prayer for meetings
Remember that the opening prayer should be meaningful and inviting.
It often helps to start with something general like:
1)
Heavenly Father, We come before you today to silently acknowledge your presence and ask for your help. As we begin this meeting, help us to feel your Spirit and follow the promptings you give us for things we should do or say. Help us to engage in meaningful discussion and dialogue, and to make the best decisions for our group. We are so grateful for our friends and family who have been called on our mission here on Earth.
Help us to strengthen one another and lift your name in the work we do. Father, we now seek your wisdom and inspiration as we meet together to discuss (insert topic).
Please continue to bless us as we seek to fulfill our divine potential. And please help us to be patient and kind with one another as we learn from each other.
We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
2)
Our most gracious heavenly Father, Please help us to feel your Spirit as we come together in council. We ask for your inspiration and wisdom as we seek to understand the issues that will be discussed at this meeting.
Help us to act with love, compassion, and charity toward each other so that our words and actions may reflect the light of Christ.
Please bless us today as we seek to accomplish the purposes of this council. And please help us be patient and kind with each other as we learn from one another. We ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
3)
Our loving God, we come to you today with gratitude and appreciation. We thank you for this opportunity to commune together as friends and fellow disciples. We pray that you will help us feel your presence during our time together today. Help us be attentive listeners as we seek to understand the issues and topics that will be discussed today. Please help us to listen with love and patience for each other and give us the strength to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost as we discuss these issues.
Please bless us as we learn from each other and rely on your spirit in our decision-making. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
4)
Gracious God, we come to you today in our time of need. We ask for your divine guidance and inspiration as we seek to understand the issues that will be discussed during this meeting.
Please help us listen with patience and love for each other so that we can grow from our understanding and discernment.
Please help us to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost as we come together in council. We ask for your mercy and patience as we learn from each other.
Please bless us today as we seek to accomplish the purposes of (insert group name). We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
5)
Heavenly Father, we come to you with open hearts and minds. We ask for your divine guidance as we discuss the issues that will be discussed at this meeting. We pray for your help to understand each other so that our words and actions can be taken in the right context. Please help us act with patience and love towards one another so that we can learn from one another’s insight and understanding.
We ask for your blessings of safety, wisdom, truth, knowledge of your ways, courage, strength, and discernment so that we can act in accordance with your plan. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
6)
We thank you for this opportunity to commune together as friends and fellow disciples of Christ. Please manifest your spirit and love to us as we open our hearts and minds to seek your direction and guidance. Please help us listen with patience and love for each other so that we can grow from our understanding and discernment.
We ask for your help in understanding the issues and topics that will be discussed during this meeting. Please help us follow your commandments and live according to your plan as we move forward from here today.
We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Closing Prayer For Meeting
1)
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to commune together as friends and disciples of Christ. Thank you for this experience of working together toward understanding the issues and topics that we discussed today. We ask for your guidance, strength, wisdom, mercy, patience, and knowledge of your ways as we seek to follow your counsel.
Please bless us as we continue to move forward in faith together towards the future you have planned for us. Please help us to hold fast to our covenants, to follow your commandments, and be examples of your love.
We ask these things in Jesus’ name, amen.
2)
Gracious God, thank you for this time of council together. We pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide us in our decision-making so that we can be an example of your divine love and plan. We ask for your help as we seek to follow your commandments and live according to your plan.
Please bless us as we continue on our path of discipleship. Please help us to be examples of your love and mercy in all that we do.
We thank you for the peace, guidance, knowledge, wisdom, and discernment that you provide to us today and always. And As we move out from this place, please help us to be able to continue on our path as we grow towards becoming like you.
We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
3)
Dear Lord, Thank you for your guidance and loving kindness throughout today’s meeting. Whatever we have discussed here today, we submit to your divine will.
For the agenda items that have been brought up today, we ask for your wisdom and direction as we talk with our families, ward members, and the people around us.
We thank you for the peace and love we feel as a result of your presence among us today.
Please help us to discern the things that need to change, improve, or strengthen in our lives. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Conclusion
There are many other types of church meeting prayers besides these examples, such as recognition of visitors and reports from committees or auxiliaries, and you are free to edit these samples to fit your needs.
I hope and pray that you and your church leadership will find these samples helpful as you prayerfully prepare for your next church meeting.
After all, our main purpose of holding church meetings is to seek the Lord’s guidance through the power of his spirit.
God bless you!
