© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 1

where world and worship meet

This resource has been created by compiling into a

one-stop-shop, adapting, and expanding all the

worship, input and intercession elements used in our

daily prayer rhythm’s series of specials on water. They

were originally published in March 2019 but are

largely timeless in their application.

Because of how they were initially created, this

resource will work particularly well for individuals and

small groups. But it can be easily adapted for use with

your whole church too. You could use just one of the

pairings of worship and intercession, mix and match a

number of different ones for a more in depth focus, or

complete the full series of five foci over several

different sessions. You could even adapt them into a

series of five prayer stations to use at an evening, or

day, of prayer.

Introduction to share with all participating

Towards the end of 2018, one of the Sanctuary’s team had a sense that we should start more intentionally including

prayer surrounding water as a regular, specific theme in our prayer rhythm and resources. This series of worship and

intercession ideas are our first response to this call – we hope you’ll find praying with them as inspiring and helpful

as we have.

Each idea starts by worshipping God, inspired by a different aspect of the gift of water – and then moves on to pray

for people affected by water issues in different ways.

Find out more about signing up to the Sanctuary’s daily prayer rhythm email, and joining the Sanctuary’s

dispersed praying community at www.thesanctuarycentre.org/prayer-rhythm

Image copyright: 2013 the Sanctuary, all rights reserved

Creative prayer ideas

for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 2

Idea 1: Drink deep

Worship the Inexhaustible Supplier

You will need: a glass of water for each person, and access to the internet to view a couple of short film clips.

1. Read and reflect on these truths:

Water is mentioned more than 600 times in the Bible – sometimes literally, sometimes as a metaphor; and often

as a picture of God himself (as in Jesus' famous words in John 4:14). No wonder. God knows water is absolutely

essential to our survival and flourishing in this life. Of course his word speaks of it. And what better image could

there be of him – our Inexhaustible Supply – and our need of him?

It was God who decided 71% of the earth's surface should be covered in water; and that each person should

reflect the same proportion in the percentage of water present in their bodies. And it's God who designed and

sustains, not just the very existence of water itself – but the ingenuity of the water cycle's movement; the

intricate patterns of springs, streams, rivers, lakes and seas that flow and weave and wash all over our world;

and the vast underground water tables and aquifers often held beneath our feet when we are standing on

seemingly dry land.

2. Watch and consider: some of this beautiful film

showing incredible footage of Victoria Falls at the

border between Zimbabwe and Zambia -

www.youtube.com/watch?v=iywqpda7d8k

Can you even begin to imagine how many litres of

water your eye is seeing, even as you watch just a few

seconds of it, let alone the whole thing? Yet even

Victoria Lake – the largest freshwater lake in the

world – only contains a fraction of the fresh water

available in the world. Image copyright: Public domain

3. Read and reflect again:

No surprise then that God is more than able to bring water into places where there is none either...

Take a few minutes to read Exodus 17:5-6 when God instructs Moses to strike the rock in the desert in order to

release water.

Can you try imagine what it must it have been like to be there and witness that?

No wonder the Israelites told that story again and again... anyone who has spent time in the desert values water

in a different way... but that level of thirst, combined with the miracle nature of that provision, must have been

astounding.

4.) Respond in praise using one or more of these ideas:

i.) Pour and drink a glass of water. With each drink you take from it, thank and/or praise God for a different aspect

of the gift of water we've touched on, such as:

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 3

the vast and globally generous gift of fresh water available to drink

the beauty and wonder of water generally, and perhaps in specific places you find particularly special

the marvellous design of the water cycle, and intricacy and complexity of fresh water supply systems on earth

the beauty and helpfulness of God using water, and our thirst – so often – as an image for himself and our need

of him.

If you are blessed enough to live near rivers and reservoirs, you could adapt this idea, by going to one of these today.

Give thanks for these different aspects of water as you stand, look and listen to an example of its generous flow laid

out before you.

ii.) Use one or more of the following ways to help you focus on worshipping our water-creating God:

Praise along with this wonderful film setting of the worship song Creation calls by Brian Doerkson. See

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwGvfdtI2c0

there aren't many songs or prayers that directly express thanks for water! Perhaps you could consider writing a

psalm or prayer of thanks and praise to God for this gift today!

Please do share it with us if you do :)

Pray for people who are thirsty, and for dry land

You will need: (optional) access to the internet to source more detailed background information if desired.

Remembering just how much water God has created, just how generously and miraculously he can and does

work*, and just how much teaching he has given us on how to share resources from places and people of plenty

with places and people of lack... let’s pray for:

the 1 in 9 people globally who don't have good, easy or plentiful access to clean, fresh water close to home - for

whatever reason

the many organisations such as Water Aid who are working to help some of these people access clean, fresh

water

the peoples of nations experiencing particular issues with drought, desertification or insufficient or irregular

rainfall...

There may well be specific places that come to mind and heart for you, but if you're looking for more

information and pointers, here's an article from the world atlas about ten of the countries most prone to

drought if you would like more information. See www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-most-drought-prone-

countries-in-the-world.html (As this article begins to suggest though, the real issue is not always whether a

country has issues with water supply, but whether it is well-resourced enough in other ways to be able to

manage that...)

* One of the Sanctuary’s favourite stories to tell is the discovery, in recent years, of a huge (previously unknown)

aquifer under Kenya – see www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-24049800 – a country we have prayed for a lot

in conjunction with drought, desertification and climate change. These kind of discoveries raise faith for the mercies

God has previously laid in store in the earth, as well as for new solutions to emerge. Let's never forget the mercy and

hope we can find in God – for this life, as well as for eternity!

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 4

Idea 2: Be still

Worship the Storm-Calmer and the Calm-in-the-storm

You will need: access to the internet to watch a film clip, read an article and listen to one or more worship songs.

1. Read, reflect on, and watch these deep truths:

Jesus calming the storm is one of those gospel accounts that features as a favourite story in almost all children's

bibles. It's also mentioned in passing time and time again either in its own right, or as a go-to example, or

metaphor, as we pray and process all of life's storms - literal or otherwise...

But just hang on... before you read that account

again, watch a few minutes of this film:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsD5u6k6dKI

Then as you read Luke 8:22-25, really try to

imagine what it would have been like – both to be

on a small fishing boat in the middle of something

like this... and then to watch it instantly calm on

command! It must have been amazing to witness

mustn't it?!

Image copyright: Public domain

But then, it stands to reason that the One who hovered over the formless waters 'in the beginning', formed the

land and separated it from the sea, and set weather systems in motion is more than able to calm storms, hold

back floods, and intervene in any way he desires to in his creation!

Harder for us to actually believe and process perhaps are the times when our loving God doesn't seem to control

the onslaught of water and weather (literal and symbolic) that crashes down on people or places.

But we must remember, although God has promised he will never destroy all life, or the earth itself, with flood

(see Genesis 8:8-16) he has not promised there will be no more floods. We live in a broken world in which

extreme events featuring the untameable and sometimes destructive power of too much water have always

been - and will continue to be - a threat, until Jesus returns.

(We have further worsened this problem with our bad stewardship's effects on the climate in more recent times,

but it was there beforehand too.)

It is in this context that we frame our worship…

2.) Pause... and praise God for:

the power he has to calm storms (and even the might and wonder of powerful water that he has created - it's

hard for us to know always what is design and what is fall!)

the testimonies of times he has calmed storms, or changed their course*

the wisdom and sovereignty we know he has - however we may rail and rant against it sometimes - in seemingly

not always intervening in storms of any kind

the fact that even when there is too much water, and danger, he promises to always be with us and to carry us

through in the most important way of all.

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 5

3.) Be inspired to respond – even in the middle of storms – with worship:

Someone who knew all about the very real threat of too much water – and the presence of the One who is the

Calm-in-the-storm even when he chooses not to calm it – was the lyricist Horatio Spafford, who wrote the

famous hymn, ‘It is well with my soul’.

Worship along with it again with this modern setting by Selah – www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwXAhcVQZps

Read this fuller account of the many tragic stories that inspired and surrounded the writing of this hymn –

www.jameswatkins.com/articles-2/hopeful/itiswell/ – You will find it is newly strengthening and encouraging –

in the way gritty, honest truth often is.

Worship with one or more of these further songs along a similar theme:

- ‘It is well’ by Kristene Mueller (www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wb_WD1emFQ)

- ‘Hush, hush’ by Nicole Nordeman (www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-VxB2KB4VA)

- ‘Praise you in the storm’ by Casting Crowns (www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBj9NLPa2cs)

* There are numerous accounts of God intervening in the weather in the Bible, but do you have testimonies from your

own life experience too you could remember and give thanks for again today? One of our most amazing ones was in

the early days of the Sanctuary when we felt led by God to pray for a weather system to change course to miss a

particular nation... and it did! It stayed at sea!

Pray for people struggling with too much water

People not being able to access enough water is a big problem. But too much water can be just as dangerous:

What nations come to mind when you think of flooding, rising sea levels, tsunamis or extreme weather

phenomena such as tsunamis or typhoons?*

Lift these places and people to the One who is the Calmer-of-storms and the Calm-in-the-storm today.

You might find it helpful to extend or deepen your prayer by using the Sanctuary’s song of intercession for times

of disaster, ‘Healer of nations’ (which was first written in response to devastating floods in Pakistan in 2010) -

https://thesanctuarycentre.bandcamp.com/track/healer-of-nations

Ask God for his merciful intervention and/or his tangible presence for all facing any of these events, their

aftermath, or the fear of approaching disaster...

One of the most incredible stories the Sanctuary has heard so far of brothers and sisters from around the world

clinging on to the One who is the Calm-in-the-storm was from the Philippines in the wake of a terrible typhoon

several years ago now. Photographers and film crews met more than one Christian (86% of the population here are

Catholics) who was not only beaming with thankfulness because those they love had survived, but because they

were clutching on to their most treasured possession – a Bible – which they had manage to salvage from the

wreckage of their home. It was an indescribably humbling lesson in perspectives and priorities.

*(If you'd like a prompt about where to pray for, you could look at this index of countries most at risk –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_natural_disaster_risk – although be aware that this includes all

kinds of natural disaster, not only those cause by too much water.)

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 6

Idea 3: Refresh

Worship the Pure, Living Source and the Purifying Renewer

You will need: a glass of water and access to the internet to source one or more of the worship songs suggested.

1.) Read and reflect on these truths:

Isn't astonishing to think of the way that God has designed our planet so fresh water doesn't just keep falling

from the sky (thanks to the incredible sustaining provision of the water cycle)... but also keeps bubbling up,

crystal clear, from mud and rock?! There is a real wonder and mystery in it, no matter how much you understand

geology or geography...

No wonder Jesus compared himself to 'living water' and the psalms speak of God being 'the fountain of life' and

us – as worshippers and followers of him – finding 'all our fountains' in him. God being God, the visible speaks of

the invisible and vice versa...

Isn't it also amazing that God has built in ways for fresh water to become re-freshed too? Through natural cycles,

and through scientific processes he laid in store way before people discovered these mercies. How consistent

with his character of purifying and redeeming, as well as creating in purity and perfection first...

Pictured right is the true source of the River Ure,

which turns into the Yorkshire River Ouse.

The picture is taken of the first bit of running

water as it issues from a boggy patch high up on

Lunds Fell. The River Ure then picks up various

tributaries from the Yorkshire Dales and the North

York Moors, becoming the River Ouse that flows

through York - a huge river to be resourced from

sources such as this one!

Image copyright: Martin Thackeray via geograph and used under

license CC-BY-SA-2

2.) Respond with praise in one or more of the following ways:

Drink deep from a glass of water, and let your praise spring up, spill over, and pour out in thankfulness... to the

One who is the truest Living Water himself, the giver of fresh, refreshing water and the re-fresher of both people

and water!

If you can, find some muddy puddles(!) – or look up some pictures of them on the internet – and marvel at the

ways these will be purified and transformed through natural or human means, thanks – in either case – to God's

ingenuity.

Worship God for the refreshing he brings to our bodies – (for he made us material!) – as well as to our spirits.

One or more of the following hymns or songs might help:

- ‘How great thou art’ sung by Paul Baloche (www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvSalz2rrJo)

- ‘Living waters’ by Keith and Kristen Getty (www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA9UfBEHciY)

- ‘Fountains’ by Josh Baldwin (www.youtube.com/watch?v=PANjx_Q6mFQ)

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 7

Pray for people with contaminated water supplies

1.) Learn about the need:

People not being able to access enough water is a big problem. But others within the top level statistic of 1 in 9

people globally not having access to good, clean fresh water close to home – primarily struggle with the quality

of their water supply, rather than the amount of it.

This might be – such as in some areas of Bangladesh – an issue with salt water intrusion, where rising sea levels

are putting salt into water that used to be fresh. Or it could be to do with wells encountering contamination,

such as arsenic, in the water table (also a problem in some areas of Bangladesh).

But it could also be to do with poor sanitation, pollution, water-borne diseases or simply no available systems

(like the ones many of us perhaps take for granted) to purify drinking water and treat it to make sure that

harmful impurities – whether from sediment, artificially present chemicals, or sewage – has been taken out. It

could even be to do with the after effects of severe flooding, as excess water cannot drain away, and stagnates.

2.) Pray for those affected:

Pray for people whose water supply - which they must drink in order to survive - carries any risk or limitation to

them, especially lifting to God the people of Bangladesh, and any other nations or areas that particularly come to

mind in relation to this need.

Pray also for the many governments and organisations such as Water Aid, who are working to help re-freshen

water supplies for people by finding new, alternative sources and/or providing purification training or

equipment.

And praise God again for the natural processes of purifying water that he has built into his design! Not just

through the water cycle, but through things many people are able to learn to do, such as boiling water to

separate out salt.

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 8

Idea 4: Share

Worship the perfect Provider, Steward and Leader

You will need: access to the internet to find supporting resources and worship songs.

1.) Read and reflect on these truths:

It is right we should be led to praise God for his generous and ingenious provision of water. He has not only

made enough water to satisfy our – and all of creation's – needs. He has given lavishly and extravagantly.

And yet, there is also great cause to intercede, as well as worship, when we consider water and its supply. Many

people in God's world are clearly not accessing their 'fair share' of the water available... of the water they need.

Right from Genesis 1 God has been telling people the same thing – love him and each other; steward well; share

justly. And, ever since sin and injustice entered in - he's been further underlining this to those who seek to

worship and follow him - be very careful to defend the poor, and to take particular care for those who are

disadvantaged in any way...

If you'd like a recap on what God has to say about sharing resources so everyone can flourish, take a look at the

Sanctuary’s brief overview of the Bible’s perspective on justice and poverty and take a few minutes to revisit

some of the passages it references...

(www.thesanctuarycentre.org/resources/practical-input-an-overview-of-the-Bible-justice-and-poverty.pdf )

Image copyright: public domain

2.) Pause to respond to some of these scriptures by

worshipping with one or more of the following songs

that explore God's heart for us to share, and to give as

freely as we receive:

‘God of justice’ by Tim Hughes

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Z0wQhMgyg)

‘Justice and mercy’ by Matt Redman

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri-UtGvYAkI)

‘Among the poor’ by Jeremy Riddle

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5OU4MHfViQ)

‘Nmoshka’ from the Sanctuary

(https://thesanctuarycentre.bandcamp.com/track

/nmoshka)

3.) Continue your worship by considering your use, and sharing, of water before God...

Some or all of the following questions might be helpful to prayerfully think through, waiting on his Spirit to lead

us to any attitudes or actions:

- Am I sufficiently grateful, or present to, the gift of the amount of water I use?

- Do I use more or less than my fair share of water? Does that matter?

- Could I, or my household be more careful with water? Could I change my habits to reduce our use?

- Does my house have a water meter? And if not, could I fit one?

- After the last few days, do I want to start – or increase – my giving to any charities who help others who

are in need of more, or cleaner, water?

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 9

As you pray and reflect on any changes you want to explore making, please remember that:

- you don't have to change anything at all if you don't feel led to, or ready to

- it's always wiser not to change lots of things at once

- you are loved and covered by grace just as you are! This isn't supposed to be a guilt-provoking exercise...

but an invitation to worship Living Water himself with our practical consumption, stewardship and

material resources, as well as with our devotion....

Pray for better stewarding and sharing of water, and better welcome and wisdom in

receiving refugees

1.) Learn more about why it matters so much:

We know water is - along with the air we breathe - the most precious resource in our world... no matter how

much more expensive precious stones or metals might be to buy! And it's likely to become more so in coming

years.

This article in the New York Times from October 2018 – www.nypost.com/2018/10/19/the-wars-of-the-future-

will-be-fought-over-water-not-oil/ – is just one of many that speculates on the possible growing emergence of

what it calls 'hydro-political' issues, and the potential for conflicts over water, as demand increases and supply

dwindles over the next 50 to 100 years.

But it doesn't touch on the likelihood of increased numbers of climate refugees either, whether again due to

dwindling supply, or because of land loss to rising sea levels. Neither does it consider how they will be welcomed

and supported.

The need for more careful sharing and stewardship isn't just something for the future - whether within specific

countries, or between them. Drought, and bad management of this, played a significant role in the tinder box of

issues that led to the outbreak of war in Syria... and land loss is a very present reality today to people living in

island states such as Vanuatu and Kiribati, or in areas of low-lying countries like Bangladesh.

2.) Pray for better stewardship and sharing of water everywhere:

Pray for transformation in people's attitudes and actions at every level; individuals, communities, governments

and international diplomacy and institutions.

And, above all, pray for the growth of softened, merciful hearts in all God's children. Hearts who see the precious

value of each person made in the image of God, and use love as the starting point for shaping wise, generous

behaviours and policies of stewardship, sharing resources, and welcoming and caring for refugees.

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

© 2019 www.thesanctuarycentre.org/whereworldandworshipmeet 10

Idea 5: Splash!

You will need: access to the internet to watch some short film clips.

Bubble-up and overflow with praise to the Joy-Maker!

1.) Read and reflect on these truths:

It's fitting that most of our focus surrounding water should be about the essentials. But vital as it is that

everyone can access enough, clean drinking water; and find shelter from the extremes of too much of it found in

extreme weather, water is not just a gift of necessity...

Water is also a gift that brings life in that other, equally God-given way. Because it generates incredible joy,

beauty, healing, fun, perspective... and so much more...

Most people love to look at it, hear it, smell it and be immersed in it... so let's make sure we take some time to

rejoice in that too!

2.) Allow water itself - as a special part of God's

creation – to sound out some praise for you!

Here are just a few of water’s 'songs'

a babbling brook

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnV3TS55TpE)

a waterfall

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=HchoJcYNYlU)

ocean waves crashing on the shore

(www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHPEKLQID4U)

Image copyright: public domain

3.) Continue in worship…

… by take some time to particularly name, and thank God for, any or all of the ways in which you particularly love

being in or around this wonderful and versatile gift he has given us!

The following list of ideas might provide some helpful prompts to trigger your memory about what you love, and get

you thinking about why water is such a manifold blessing to you... (It's not exhaustive though, so why not see if you

can extend it too?!)

Having a steaming hot shower or a long bath.

Going swimming... perhaps even diving in, or simply going completely under the water...

Luxuriating at a spa... or relaxing in a hot tub under the night sky!

Being on a boat.

Taking cold shower on a hot day.

Being at the seaside.

Creative prayer idea for worshipping and interceding in response to the gift of water

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Looking at beautiful views of lakes, rivers or seascapes.

Listening to the sound of water.

Feeling spring rain fall, and drinking in the smell of it.

Surfing, scuba-diving, water-skiing or any other water sport.

Paddling and splashing about.

Having a water fight with friends.

Looking out for the wildlife different water sources attract.

Soaking your feet after a long walk, or run.

Using it to re-soften clay being sculpted, or dipping a paintbrush into it...

Marvelling at waterfalls, fountains, or even sound and light shows that use water!

Pray special blessings on everyone whose work is centred on water.

on all those working for water boards, managing reservoirs or sewage treatment works, monitoring flood

defences or surveying the quality of water provision...

on all those involved with the engineering, or generation, of water power - whether wave, tidal or hydro...

on all who compete in, or instruct others to learn how to enjoy, water sports of any kind...

on the tourism industry, particularly in areas based by the sea, businesses offering pools or other water facilities

as part of their attractions, or people working on cruise ships or small touring boats of any kind...

on fishermen…

on those who risk their lives to rescue them - and anyone else in trouble at sea…

on everyone using water to help with health and healing... whether because they run spas, offer water

treatments or provide hydrotherapy to those who live with disabilities or have been injured…

and on anyone else you can think of to bless!

You might find it helps your prayer for these groups further to look up some images related to their work on the

internet…

Image copyright: public domain