Opening prayers, just as closing prayers, are very important.  

Not only does praying together show our everlasting love to our Lord, but it also clears our minds of all other thoughts and brings everyone into focus on He who is most important to us. 

The prayer can then bring our focus in even more by the direction of the prayer itself, guiding the participants together in mind and pushing out all other distracting thoughts.

The prayer can also focus on what you as a group wish to accomplish at the particular meeting or event. A successful opening prayer will set the tone for the meeting and create a productive atmosphere.

Creating and leading opening prayers is a lot of responsibility, and it can put pressure on anyone's shoulders. Yet praying doesn't have to feel so intimidating.

Don't think of leading the group with an opening prayer as an obligation — think of it as a conversation with God. Talking to the Holy Spirit is never just an obligation, it’s a privilege. There is much power in prayer.

Once the room has your attention and cell phones are turned on silent to prevent distractions, it is the optimum time to begin your opening prayer. The focus has been directed to you and your words of praise.

Be sure to open your prayer with yours as well as the group's gratitude to our Heavenly Father. 

Follow up by stating the purpose of gathering and what you hope to accomplish with His guidance. 

Upon closing, thank Him for what you are grateful for in your life, whether it be family, happiness, or even the opportunity to gather safely.

Beginning a meeting with a prayer of thanks to God displays our devotion and love to Jesus Christ. The prayer reminds us why we are here, brings focus, and calms our minds. This keeps everyone in tune together.

In these moments of bowing our heads, closing our eyes, and listening to the group's speaker who is leading the prayer, we can all connect. Being able to be on the same emotional level as everyone else in the room helps create productivity.  

Prayers for meetings can encompass a wide variety of gatherings. Let’s look at three prayers you can use for different occasions. 

Prayer for a Bible study

Lord, thank you for allowing us to all gather here safely tonight to worship your word. Please guide us in our thoughts as we read from the Bible and take the messages from it you have left for us to learn from. Do not let your words fall upon deaf ears. Please help us apply your words and love to our daily lives, as well as to the lives of those we love. Help us take these messages home to spread in good faith.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for a Church potluck

Dear Lord, thank you for the food you have put before us today, as we are thankful for the food we are allowed to enjoy every day. We are grateful for each and every community member who has contributed to our event, either by participation or by attendance. We are also eternally thankful for your presence in our hearts and the love you fill us with as we gather with those we call family and friends. Please watch over us and keep us safe as we gather in your name, Amen.

Prayer for a Christian community meeting

O God, thank you for helping us gather here safely as we discuss another monthly meeting of events to come in our community in your name. Please help us do your work through our church. Please guide us and keep our intentions honest, and keep us away from the temptations of sin. Without your love, we would not be able to experience real, true love in our own lives. Please help us spread your love, your word, and your messages throughout our community as you continue to guide us to lead pure and clean lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Every day we wake up healthy and with our loved ones is a gift from God. Just as we should pray to open a meeting, we should also pray to open our day.

We should show God our appreciation at the breakfast table when our family gathers before starting another day filled with work, school, errands, and busy events.

It can be easy to get distracted by the upcoming day's tasks. Sometimes all we think we have time for is a cup of coffee and a bagel before we see our kids off to school and dash out the front door to begin our day.

However, we shouldn’t get lost in the hustle and bustle. Through prayer, we can make every moment count.  

Let us not forget it can take only a few heartfelt minutes while we are all together to thank the Lord for the day and the gifts He has bestowed upon us. 

A morning prayer does not have to take much time at all to hold meaning. Sometimes, the most powerful prayers are short.  

Here is an example of a short opening prayer for the morning to our Lord God;

Dear God, we give thanks to you, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for another beautiful day with our loved ones. As we conduct our day, you are forever in our hearts and thoughts. We ask for your love, guidance, and protection in everything we do. Please watch over those who mean the most to us. Please guide our decisions with your love in our hearts. We love you and give thanks for this day because this day, as every day, is your gift to us. Amen.

When we are all together before we begin the day, it is the perfect opportunity to show our appreciation to God.  

The morning is also the perfect time to pray so that we begin our day's journey on a positive note that will carry us through the remainder of the day.

There is no wrong or right time to conduct an opening prayer. Opening prayers provide the opportunity to talk to God, praise Him, thank Him, and ask for His assistance in our lives.

Whether it's at church worship, church service, or board meeting, an opening prayer gets everyone in the gathering or at the event in tune and on the same topic. 

Opening prayers also create productive meetings. Whether you're leading the prayer or listening, you can benefit from it as long as you open your heart to absorb the message.

For more prayer guidance, download the pray.com app on the iOS App Store and Google Play.