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10 Ways to Pray
1.
"Lord, do something that will show people Your glory over all the
earth.
• "O God
… let Your glory be over all the earth." Psalm 108:5
• "Be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in
your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Habakkuk 1:5
This
is a moment for God to do something that no diplomat, no world leader, no
army could possibly do—so all will know that "the Lord He is
God."
2.
"Lord, use these anxious and uncertain times to bring many to
Christ."
• "Pray
… that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be
honored." II Thessalonians 3:1
• "May God be gracious to us and bless us … that Your
ways may be known on earth, Your salvation among the nations." Psalm 67:1,2
God
can use this fearful time to reach the hearts of many—in Iraq, in America, across the Middle East, among the young
men and women of the military.
3.
"Lord, guide our leaders to be instruments of Your will on
earth."
• "I urge
… that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made
for everyone—for kings and all those in authority." I Timothy 2:1,2
A
believer's responsibility to "honor the king" (I Peter 2:17) and to pray for
those in authority transcends political labels and issues—it is a
spiritual responsibility!
4.
"Lord, protect the innocent."
• "Blessed is
he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in time of trouble
…" Psalm 40:1
• "A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God
in His holy dwelling." Psalm 68:5
In
the violence of war, of oppression, of terrorism, only God can protect
the innocent—innocent citizens, innocent victims, innocent
combatants.
5.
"Lord, use human authorities to "bring punishment on
evildoers."
• "The
governing authorities … are God's servant, an agent of wrath to
bring punishment on the evildoer." Romans 13:1,4
• "It is God who judges; He brings down one, He exalts
another." Psalm 5:7
Ultimately
it is God Himself, sometimes using human instruments, who removes those
He does not want in authority any longer. "He brings princes to
naught." (Isaiah 40:23)
6.
"Lord have Your way and Your will in the lives of our enemies."
• "Pray for
those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27
Jesus
has charged us to represent even our enemies before His Throne of Grace.
7.
"Lord make a way for people to live in the dignity and freedom that
goes with being made in Your image."
• "Live as
free men …" I Peter 2:16
• "Weep and wail, becuase of the misery that is coming upon
you … you who have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. You
have condemned and murdered innocent men…" James 5:1,5,6
• "Act justly … love mercy … walk humbly with
your God." Micah 6:8
Every
person on this planet is "God's workmanship" (Ephesians 2:10), worthy of the
dignity and respect a "God's image" person should have.
8.
"Lord, help Your people model peace in these troubled times,
pointing the people around them to Jesus—at a time when hearts are
soft."
• "We have
this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm, and secure." Hebrews 6:19
• "Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for
harvest." John 4:35
This
uncertain time is a life-saving moment—when those who belong to
Jesus have an unusual window to introduce Him to those who don't. But the
window may not be open for long.
9.
"Lord, use world events to open many doors that have been closed to
Your gospel.
• "The Lord
has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm." Nahum 1:3
• "Pray that God may open a door for our message
…" Colossians 4:3
God's
plan is much larger than disarmament, political change, or military
victory—He's about getting the Good News of His Son to hearts and
places it has never gone!
10.
"Lord, bring peace out of all that's happening."
• "That we may
live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness." 1 Timothy 2:2
God
has told us that the result He desires in answer to our prayers for our
leaders is a climate where peace and righteousness can flourish.
"The prayer of a
righteous man is powerful and effective."
First Baptist Sermon page.
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