Through prayer we can have partner with God to impact the nations without leaving home. Use this prayer as a guide to pray for your own nation as well as others.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are Yours. You have complete rule, authority and sovereignty. You reign over all nations. You are seated on Your holy throne (Psalm 47:8). Your dominion endures forever (Psalm 145:11-13). You are King of kings and Lord of lords.
In Your powerful name and by Your power, we stand against all spiritual forces that are operating in our nation. Everything is subject to You (Ephesians 1:21-22). To all opposing powers we say “The Lord rebuke you” (Jude 1:9). Your name is the name above all names. At Your name every knee will bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:9-11).
Holy Spirit come. Rend the heavens and come down to make Your name known to Your enemies and cause the nations to quake before You (Isaiah 64:1-2). Create in each of us a clean heart. Search our hearts and cleanse us of all unrighteousness (Psalm 51).
Awaken Your church. Awaken our hearts to call out to You in humility and seek Your face. Only You can heal our land (2 Chronicles 7:14). Empower Your church to move in unity and love by Your Spirit (John 17:23, 24, 26).
We pray for our pastors and Christian leaders to be in tune with Your heartbeat for the people You have given them to shepherd. May they demolish every argument and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We pray for our political leaders to know You. May they govern righteously according to Your will. We ask for You to call forth just men to rule in the fear of the Lord (2 Samuel 23:3).
Draw all people to Yourself. (John 12:32). Call forth your sons and daughters. Awaken the slumbering spirits in our nation so that they might find everything they are searching for in You.
Father, glorify yourself in all the earth
Further Reading
• Does God Only Love Christians?
“Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” Matthew 5:10
Have you ever been persecuted because of your faith in Christ? If so, how did you respond?
While Francis Xavier was preaching one day in one of the cities of Japan, a man walked up to him as if he had something to say to him privately. As the missionary leaned closer to hear what he had to say, the man spat on his face.
Without a word or the least sign of annoyance, Xavier pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his face. Then he went on with his important message as if nothing had happened. The scorn of the audience was turned to admiration.
The most learned doctor of the city happened to be present.
“A law which teaches men such virtue, inspires them with such courage, and gives them such complete mastery over themselves,” he said, “could not but be from God.”
Supernatural power and enablement by God’s Holy Spirit make that kind of behavior possible for every believer. Furthermore, that kind of behavior probably will do more to attract and influence an unbelieving world than words ever can.
With Christ as our example, love as our motive, and humility as our covering, let us depend on God’s Holy Spirit for the wisdom and strength required to respond to mistreatment in a Christ-like way. Then, and only then, are we in a position to reflect honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Bible Reading: Matthew 5:7-12 (scroll down)
Today’s Insight: Mindful that millions of Christians have died as martyrs getting the message of God’s good news through to men, and remembering that all who live godly lives in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution, I will not shrink from whatever the Lord may have in store for me today as His witness. Drawing upon the supernatural resources of God, I will demonstrate by my words and witness that I belong to Christ. “Happy are those who are persecuted because they are good, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs” Matthew 5:10.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
