Do you ever get overwhelmed, confused and discouraged by what’s going on around us? Our world continues to change at warp speed and it’s not at all clear who we can believe. It seems as though we are being sifted and those who stand on the authority and finality of God’s word are fewer than we could have imagined.
Endless stories, posts, images, and opinions on the internet, bombarding us and creating a state of confusion, anxiety, fear, despair, anger, which is EXACTLY what the enemy wants. I felt the Lord urging me to encourage the Body of Christ through prayer…going back to what HE has to say about all of this…keeping a clear mind and heart set on HIM.
I hope this inspires you to keep praying His word over our country, our families, our future.
Father, we come before you humbly. We come with grieving hearts, with anxious hearts, with confused hearts. Just when we feel like there couldn’t be more harmful decisions made by our government, we read of another…and another. It’s so easy to become paralyzed with fear and yet, you have not called us to be fearful! We see the world around us changing so quickly and we wonder what our lives are going to look like in the near future…more than that, what will our children and grandchildren be faced with? But you said that you have not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). You said that we were not to be afraid or discouraged because YOU are with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9)
You said that our children belong to you and you will care for them. They were born for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) and you’ve told us, “For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring and my blessing on your descendants. They shall spring up among the grass like willows by flowing streams. This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’ another will call on the name of Jacob, and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s’ and name himself by the name of Israel.” (Isaiah 44:3-5)
Lord, we know that as frightened and upset as we feel, YOU said that those who are “in charge” are not really running the show because your word says differently, ” O Lord, God of our fathers, are you not God in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. In your hand are power and might, so that none is able to withstand you.” (2 Chron. 20:6) ”Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.” (Psalm 15:3) “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” (Job 15:3). “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’ ” (Isaiah 46:9-10)
Help us, as the Body of Christ, to continue to humble ourselves and to follow your directive, “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
You are orchestrating just as you always have. Countless kingdoms have risen and fallen throughout history and your people were there in the midst of it…and you never left them because you said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
Lord, you CAN be trusted. Your word is unfailing. YOU are unfailing. Thank you that you told us in Romans 8:28 “… we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” God we ARE called according to your purpose and we ask for your hand of grace and mercy as we face the days ahead.
Help the Body of Christ to move forward as one. To be single hearted as we continue to hold up YOUR word as the standard. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) ” All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”
Help us to gird up with courage as we boldly stand on your word remembering , “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
May our words come from a clean heart and a right spirit (Psalm 51:10) . And, may our daily prayer be, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” (Ps 141:3) while at the same time, please help us to be courageous, bold and and stand firm. Help us to let you empty us of ourselves in order to be filled with more of you so that you will be lifted up. You told us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”(Matthew 5:16) May we bring you glory above all else.
Others will not understand and they will be hateful, but you told us in John 6:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
God we ask for your wisdom as we walk this journey. Thank you that you promised that if we lacked wisdom, you would give us to us… “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5,6)
Thank you that you can be trusted and that we don’t have to understand everything or depend on our own wisdom, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil, it will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8) Lord, our bones do feel weary, but thank you for the healing power of your word and your Spirit.
Lord, the enemy would love to bring us into a state of confusion, but you are God of peace. Help us to set our hearts and minds on you. Give us YOUR eyes to see where you are working and help us to join in and even to be able to rejoice in our sufferings, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Although we grieve, we do not grieve as those who have no hope. YOU are our hope and no one can take that from us. YOU are God and you are UNCHANGING. Help us not to let the enemy gain a foothold through despair, but help us to continue to rejoice:
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:4-8)
God, we love you and we will continue to love you. Give us grace and strength for the journey and when it is all said and done, may we hear those words we long to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)