PRAYER: Father, while we joke and laugh about wanting 2020 to be over already let us be mindful instead of every minute that you allow us to be working on your behalf. It is in the midst of the current turmoil and fear that your peace and eternal promise of salvation is highlighted best. When better to share the light than in the midst of darkness? Holy Spirit help us to remember the Lord’s plan in all of this worldly confusion. It is simple: go and make disciples of all men (Matt 28:19), go and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15), proclaim the good news to the poor (Isaiah 61:1). Let us share the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ! We forget many times and get caught up in the earthly battle and even take up earthly weapons but we submit ourselves here to you today as we first take up the best weapon you’ve given us - prayer. Let us be mindful every day, every hour, and even every minute that aligning ourselves with you is the only way to true victory. Father we pray against our earthly sight that sees only the problems of today and only the solutions put forth by men. Help us to see through your eyes so that we may follow your path more closely and help to usher in your solutions. We pray against our earthly ears that only hear the cries of hate, division, anger, and death. Let us put on your ears so that we may hear your voice above all and we may share your message to others. Message of hope, peace, love, and justice. Father we pray against our own mind, will, and emotions which only make decisions based on our own understanding. And instead, we submit them all three to your Holy Spirit so that we may walk in your wisdom and have the mind of Christ which allows us to look at life from your viewpoint, filter all events through your values, and focus on your desires for our world first and foremost. So, dear Lord, as we get tired and wish for this all to be behind us, we say thank you for showing us some of what you are doing. We say thank you for the uprising of Christians across our county, the pastors who are speaking boldly, the encouragement of popular personalities who have found the courage to speak against evil. May our words also be loud, true, and bold when sharing your message. May you hand off favor not be withdrawn but allow us more time to gather more into our remnant of those who love and serve you. We understand the time is near so give us supernatural strength to do your will and a double portion of wisdom to know the steps that you have ordered for each of us. Praise be to you God for all that you have been, all that you are, and all that you will be. From the beginning of time until the end you are our loving Father who is steadfast and true. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. PRAYER POINTS FOR THIS ELECTION:
AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP…
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Empty Freedom - Liberty is not license “When men play God, presently they behave like devils.” Edmund Burke, philosopher 2 Peter 2:19 – They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. Freedom defined as the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint. So are you free? You probably tell yourself that you are; after all, you live in a country where you can vote, where you can go wherever you want to when you want to, do anything you might want to do and at a time when you want to do it or say what you want whenever you want to and to whomever you choose. Are you sure? Do you ever give in to that second cup of coffee? Does anxiety ever grip you? Or, ridiculously, do you ever just run a red light because you don’t feel like putting your foot on the brake pedal? Rules govern everything and everyone. Traffic laws, tax laws, copyright laws, laws of gravity, God’s laws regarding holiness. The Bible has much to say about freedom. God’s freedom means a release from the bondage of one’s sins, not the freedom to engage in them. Liberty is not license! The whole of chapter 2 of 2 Peter deals with the things that hold you in bondage, and your freedom from them, giving a clear warning against people who promise a false freedom. Christians are called to obey God’s laws. It isn’t about legalism, it’s about loving obedience. Anyone guilty of violating the laws of God deserves eternal damnation; and every human being is guilty. But Jesus redeemed you from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for you (Galatians 5:13). That is real freedom. Meanwhile, you must honor the freedoms you have been granted in America—freedoms endowed by your Creator, not to be tampered with by government. The Bill of Rights doesn’t grant you freedoms; it says the government cannot take them away! This year, every citizen is free to vote. It is a freedom not to be taken for granted; and it is a freedom envied around the world. Don’t squander it. Don’t fall for “picking the lesser of two evils is still evil.” That will only result in surrendering your freedom. Heavenly Father, You are the Author of freedom; but you are also the Author of laws and orderliness. Thank You for the freedoms that have been granted to us through Your Son Jesus. Thank You for the freedoms that obedience to Your laws gives. Keep us mindful of the cost paid by Your Dear Son, Jesus, to secure our eternal freedom. Father we ask that you would bless the poll workers that are following the law and protect them from harm. And likewise we would ask that you would thwart those who are breaking the law and trying to steal this election. O Holy God, you are a God of justice. You love righteousness and what is good. Your word has given so many guidelines to how people are to govern themselves including how judicial systems are to react. We are saddened that the confirmation of such a knowledgeable person as Judge Barrett has become the source of such conflict and hate. We desire a nation that reflects your values as set out in the Bible. A righteous nation whose God is the Lord. Preserve our SC, O God. Let it be a righteous steward of the constitution to keep our nation stable and great so that we might be that shining city on a hill whose light and love for you is not hidden. Father, we also lift up all races on our ballots including our local school board races, city councils local and state Judges, other state office races, and our Federal races such as John Cornyn, Beth Van Duyne and President Trump and VP Mike Pence. Father guide these candidates and turn their hearts toward you where needed. For the sake of your glory we pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen PRAYER POINTS FOR THIS ELECTION:
AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY FOR PRESIDENT TRUMP…
References / Resources: https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/pray-the-vote/#prayer https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Peter+2&version=NKJ 5 days until Election Day - prayer overtime, team! And we all know that every race may not be decided on November 3rd. The political opposition and the devil will do everything they can to attack and delay all outcomes. Our prayers are the front line defense, setting the stage for God to reign supreme on November 3rd and for Him to go before us, clearing the path of obstacles. Doing Your Part – And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you. Leviticus 18:28 My Brothers my Sisters, we as a nation will now determine which way the door will swing. We face unprecedented challenges to three foundational principles of justice and the common good: The sanctity of human life in all stages and conditions The sacredness of marriage as the covenantal union of husband and wife The right to religious liberty and respect for conscience These principles are moral treasures of our civilization. They have played indispensable roles in preserving the great experiment in republican government and ordered liberty bequeathed to us by the Founders of our Nation. Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” Deuteronomy 4:6 Yet in our time they have come under severe assault. Abortion, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide, and euthanasia threaten the sanctity of life. Marriage, already deeply wounded by a culture of infidelity and divorce is now being redefined and deconstructed. The right of conscientious refusal to participate or be implicated in immoral actions, be they crimes against life or marriage, is increasingly placed in jeopardy. For these reasons, we call on Christians to fight to defend life, protect and revitalize marriage, and preserve religious liberty and the rights of conscience. We must work tireless in all the “seven spheres of cultural influence:” (1) the home, (2) the church, (3) civil government / law / military, (4) business / technology, (5) education, (6) media, and finally (7) arts / entertainment / professional sports. The foundational moral principles of life, marriage, and conscience need to be preached in our churches, affirmed in our daily conversations, and demonstrated in our private decisions and our personal lives. If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. Deuteronomy 28:1 They must become a guiding force in every local, state and national election – year after year – especially this year’s election. In fact, they need to be supported in everything we do and say, and in the way we live. Please remember this election is not about a man, but about what we have prayed and believe God has called each and every one to vote! Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12 Do not put your truths in man, vote according to the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life! PRAY! And then go and vote. Remember, NO president will be able to change that, it requires a changed heart which only Jesus, our Messiah, can do! "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers." Proverbs 11:4 We may be voting-and that is our responsibility as good citizens-but ultimately it is the all-wise and sovereign Lord who sets up leaders and deposes them (Daniel 2:20-21); He will give wisdom and knowledge regarding elections and voting if we ask Him (James 1:5; Proverbs 2:6). We live in an a chaotic, dangerous world. As we intercede for our elected officials, we must pray for people of influence who can help guide the nation wisely and according to God’s Word, Way and Will. If we want godly wisdom and insight, we must rebuild the foundations of our country, and the writer of Proverbs says it all begins with fear of the Lord. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the Lord’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Thank you to For This Reason Marriage Ministries. Praying for Peace in Unrest Nahum 1:7 – The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble he knows those who take refuge in him. Mighty God our Father, you know it is our desire to live in peace within ourselves and with those around us. You are our shelter and refuge, a very present help when troubles come. We ask, O God, that you would protect our cities, our citizens, our law enforcement officers and give wisdom to those in government t when they are forced to deal with situations and people that disrupt our peace. Let us be examples of peace found in you. Draw ourselves nearer to You and Your grace. You have promised to keep us perfect peace when our minds are focused on You. This is our desire today. Grant our prayers for we ask them in Jesus’ name. Amen PRAYER POINTS TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU PRAY TODAY
AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT…
1 Thessalonians 5:24 – Test everything. Hold fast what is good. A 4 month investigation by Newsweek has found that more than 600 Chinese groups are involved in wide spread election meddling and still Russia is even more a threat to our holding fair elections (Washington Post). And we have sanctions against 5 Iranians for election tampering. Many people discount the depth and danger of these threats. As Christians we need to be laser focused on praying against attacks on the integrity and security of our election system and for the protection of voter data. With the help of the Holy Spirit let us resist giving into deceptions. Father we pray that you would protect this year’s election process and uphold its integrity. We pray for postal workers as they work to process the many, many mail-in ballots. For faithfulness for election officials in each polling place. We pray that you would grant a discerning mind to the nation’s officials to see and know the truth and disregard every falsehood. And that you would protect the nation from any attempts to influence or manipulate the election and protect all data from theft or removal. We give thanks that we live in a nation where people still have the right to make their voices heard through their votes. Father, as your beloved children, we choose to walk in love towards one another, keeping our hearts and thoughts pure. We ask that you would move all Americans to seek you, serve you, and edify others so that we may have open and candid conversations in the process. Help us to stay closely connected to Christ and His purposes. And finally we pray for peace ahead of the election outcome, knowing that God is still in control no matter the results. We know that in 1 Timothy 4:1 we read that at time will come when people will depart from their faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and the teaching of demons. You have also promised that by abiding in you we will not conform to these ideas and teachings of the world but that you will give us a sound and discerning mind to know what is good and right. Deceivers led by the father of lies are clever, Do not let our hearts or minds be led away. Accept our pure and sincere devotion to you and to your Word for we love you Lord PRAYER POINTS TO GUIDE YOU AS YOU PRAY
AS THE LORD LEADS, PRAY FOR OUR PRESIDENT…
References / Resources:
https://www.newsweek.com/2020/11/13/exclusive-600-us-groups-linked-chinese-communist-party-influence-effort-ambition-beyond-1541624.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020-election-security/2020/10/24/4b290ef8-1479-11eb-ad6f-36c93e6e94fb_story.html https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/pray-the-vote/#prayer https://www.presidentialprayerteam.org/daily-prayer-briefing/?utm_source=daily_briefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily_briefing&utm_content=daily_briefing |
Why pray?Lifting our elections up to the Lord helps all of us keep the focus on the most important topics as well as softens our hearts to love everyone, even those with whom we may disagree. Believing differently shouldn't stop us from sharing God's love and His Word with others. Archives
May 2022
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