6 Saturday Prayers to Prepare Your Heart for Sunday

Preparing one’s heart to spend time with God can be a good way to get the most out of worship, prayer, and meditation. Every week, believers go to church to spend time collectively learning about God and worshipping Him. Because church is such a routine part of the life of a Christian, it can be easy to forget that it is as important to prepare for church as it is for personal worship. 

Growth requires proper care, and without the right spiritual care, it can be difficult to grow spiritually, even in church. Spending time praying and speaking with the Lord can be an excellent way to grow and have the right heart and mind posture for Sunday church service. The Holy Spirit indwells in each believer, and is prepared to facilitate these prayers and help Christians grow on Saturday, ready for Sunday.

Here are six prayers for Saturday to prepare for Sunday.

1. Prayer for a Worshipful Heart

Holy Father,

Thank you for the ability to come to you with my brothers and sisters in Christ and worship you in song. Thank you for my voice and my hands which can be raised as a joyful offering to You. May my song be pleasing to Your ears, and my actions right in Your eyes. Lord, I ask that Your Spirit mold my heart to be right for a time of worship. Inspire me with joy, fill me with thankfulness, and help my worship be sincere. You are my strength and my song, and I want to have my heart focused on You, especially during church. May my body be presented as a living sacrifice of worship and praise.

In Your Son Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen. 

Romans 12:1 “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

2. Prayer for a Teachable Spirit

Holy Father,

Thank you for a mind that can grow and a heart that can learn. Thank you for reaching down to us to impart Your wisdom and truth. I praise you, Lord, because You sent the Holy Spirit to live within me, so that I may grow and become more like You. Lord, as I prepare to go to church and listen to the sermon You have inspired the pastor to give, help me to listen and learn. Give me a spirit that is teachable, open to new ideas, and able to receive the messages You want me to glean. I want to learn more about You, the Bible, and Your will, so grant me a mind and spirit to learn more about these things. Help me accept instruction to make me wise, help me to increase in learning, and form me into a more righteous person.

In the name of Jesus, I pray,

Amen.

Proverbs 9:9 “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”

3. Prayer for Conviction of Sin

Holy Father,

Thank you for loving me so much that You sent Jesus to pay the penalty for my sin, to bear my shame and die my death. I praise You for Your boundless love and willingness to forgive. Lord, before I go to church tomorrow, reveal to me any unconfessed sin, if I have an unrepentant spirit, or if I am entertaining a wicked thought. I want to be right before You, but I also know that sometimes I am blind to my own wicked inclinations and wrong decisions. Illuminate anything in my life that is out of alignment with You, so that I may turn from it, and cling closer to You. I know if I confess my sin, You are faithful and just and will forgive me, purifying me from unrighteousness. Do not let me enter Your house, Your church, with sin in my life.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Photo credit: Unsplash/Sincerely Media

4. Prayer for a Heart Ready and Willing to Forgive

Holy Father,

Thank you for forgiving me of my sin. I know I have hurt You, and that I have had to come to You many times, needing Your grace and mercy. You are always there for me when I need love and support. Father, shape my heart, make it easy for me to forgive those who have sinned against me. Because You gave me grace freely, I know I should extend the same to others, even when they hurt me, curse me, or persecute me. Give me a heart that loves others, and that is willing to pray for those who hate me. Do not let me go to church with anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness in my heart. Make me more like You, willing to forgive.

In Your Son’s name, I pray,

Amen.

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

5. Prayer for Fellowship

Holy Father,

Thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ and for my church family. It is a joy knowing that I have people who are there for me no matter what. I can go anywhere in the world, and know that if I meet another believer, I have found family. Thank you that whether we meet in a big building, or in a tiny room, we can take comfort in one another. Lord, I ask that you put me in the right frame of mind to have fellowship tomorrow. Send Your Spirit to bring us closer together in joy and love. If someone needs prayer or support, please bring it to my attention so I can be there for them, pray for them, and provide for any needs. Make us a body that does good for one another, does not neglect to meet together and encourage one another, especially as Your return draws closer.

In the name of Jesus, I pray,

Amen.

Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

6. Prayer for the Pastor

Holy Father,

Thank you for raising up our pastor to teach us about Your Word and Your will. Thank you for giving him a heart for others and a compassionate will. Lord, please send Your Spirit to give Him strength and energy for tomorrow. Help Him deliver His sermon. Make his words Your words. Bring Him the right message. I pray for the pastor’s family. Send them comfort and support throughout the day and during the course of their time in ministry. Give me respect for the pastor, and help me to esteem them in love because of the work they do for Your Kingdom. 

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.”

By seeking God in prayer on Saturday, it makes Sunday a more refreshing and fulfilling day for worship and growth.

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Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Aldomurillo

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.