Opening prayer is an essential part of any church service, setting the tone for worship and inviting the presence of God among the congregation. As we gather in faith, these verses from the Bible can guide our hearts and minds, reminding us of the importance of seeking divine guidance and blessing before we begin our collective worship.
Incorporating scripture into our opening prayers not only enhances our connection to God but also enriches the spiritual experience for everyone present. Here are 30 powerful Bible verses that can be used in opening prayers, providing inspiration and focus as we seek to glorify God together in unity.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.
Rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways.
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
For My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.
But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications; in Your faithfulness answer me, and in Your righteousness.
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry came before Him, even to His ears.
The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.
So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.
Do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
Famous and Strong Quotes about opening prayer for church service
When we pray, we open our hearts to God, inviting His presence into our lives.
The moment you wake up each morning, you must decide whether to haunt the day or to embrace it with a prayer.
Prayer is not a preparation for the work; prayer is the work.
To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.
Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.
Seeking God’s Presence in Our Worship
Heavenly Father,
As we gather in Your name this morning, we pause to invite Your holy presence among us. Thank You for the gift of community and the opportunity to worship together. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive Your word, and guide us in our praises.
Let this service be a time of renewal and reflection, where we can draw closer to You and to one another. Fill our hearts with joy and our spirits with peace, as we celebrate Your goodness and grace.
May our worship be pleasing to You, and may we leave this place transformed and ready to share Your love with the world. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.