Opioid Crisis...a plea for help

***Opioid Crisis...a plea for help

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

The opioid crisis continues. Have mercy on us. Help Lord.

The needs and the crisis is immediate. People, many people, are dying each day, each hour. We have not been able to contain this crisis, so now it has become a national emergency...a true crisis. We are directed to carry naxolone if we know someone.

Father, we don't even know if we know someone. With the severity of this crisis, it is likely that everyone in the United States knows someone!

We look for a quick-fix to this problem and we are unwilling to face the real issues that have caused this crisis. Forgive us. Please open the eyes of our understanding on this matter.

The heart of the issue:
Father, the heart of this issue is obvious and it is not a hidden issue. We have rebelled against You. You Word calls it pharmakeia and it is translated "witchcraft." We are unwilling to think of ourselves as entertaining witchcraft and being in open rebellion to You. But we are. Have mercy, O God, and open the eyes of our understanding.

Your Word:

Ephesians 1:18
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Truly, Father, we are plugging holes in the dike. One hole is plugged and another opens up. Each hole represents the lives that are dying and are precious to You. There is no way that we can catch up by plugging holes, carrying naloxone. Forgive us and call us to repent.

We are in pain. We are like sheep without a shepherd. We don't know how to manage the pain and we turn to drugs. Yet, the pain is not physical. Our pain is that of separation from You. We have taken our own path, sought our own solutions, and we have ignored the real problem.

Father, we do not want to admit our need for You. We are unwilling to bend our knee before Jesus Christ. Have mercy O God. Bring us to the place where we can see ourselves and cry out to You, the One True and Living God, that we may turn from this death and find Life.

How can I help? I pray. How can the real answer to this be made known? Where are the voices that would speak Truth in Love. Where are the people who can bring Your strength to individuals. O Father, it would take an army. Can You call one? Will You help us? I beg for Your mercy. You are the God of mercy.

You, O God, lost Your Son, Jesus Christ. You know the pain of parents who are losing their children to this epidemic. Have mercy. Jesus, Son of the Living God, You took the sin of rebellion upon You, that we could be set free.

A solution is at hand. Holy Spirit, open the eyes of our understanding and strengthen us to reach out and grasp the freedom that only the blood of Jesus can bring.

• Where there is hopelessness;
         help us to grasp the hand of Jesus.
• Where there is pain beyond reason;
         help us to embrace the sacrifice of Jesus.
• Where words of sorrow cannot express the depth of grief;
         help us to receive Your grace.
• Where hearts and minds have been destroyed by guilt;
         may we grasp Your forgiveness.
• Where hearts and minds have been destroyed by grief;
         may we receive Your mercy.
• Where lives have been forfeited;
         bring healing.

Father, call Your church to action for this nation...

      ...that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Another prayer: Hope for a nation of addicts—opiodes: fentanyl OxyContin, heroin, alcohol...and greed.

†     †     †    

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

Prayer for Washington's spending problem —U.S. debt

***A prayer for Washington's spending problem —the U.S. debt

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,
You have carefully given us the guidance to manage debt and lending. Your Word:

Romans 13:7-8
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another...

Proverbs 22:7b
... and the borrower is servant to the lender.

Father, not only have You put "in writing" how we should manage our spending, but there are many examples over the centuries that support Your warnings about the financial management, both for the individual and for nations. Yet...we have ignored them. We have no excuse.

Have mercy, O God, and help us turn back to You. Help us to see the error of our ways.

Our national debt is out of hand. Our personal debt is out of hand. We have become addicted to spending. We have become addicted to the pleasure of "having" and we are driven by our desires.

We are gluttons and our insatiable appetites have no boundaries. We fiercely protect our "right to have" whatever our whims bring to mind. We have lost track of true "need" and we are fixated on our "wants."

We want to blame "Washington" for our national debt. Yet, Father, we have created an entire society of spending —how can we be surprised when "Washington" simply does what we have taught them? We raised them up to spend.

Father, we justify our spending. We say, "These are programs for the poor." Yet, our spending programs have created the poor. It is a cycle that has no end without painful consequences.

We are not willing to face the consequences of our actions and we push them off. We hope the consequences will not happen in our lifetime. We are foolishly and sadly mistaken.

We have created an industry out of killing unborn children by redefining it as "women's health." Now we are giving Planned Parenthood half a Billion dollars in our new budget.

O Father, how can we not be an abomination to You? We are stealing from You. We are stealing your heritage.

Psalm 127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

We are all guilty. We have no excuse. We have brought a curse upon our land and upon our children. Open our eyes and help us change from our wickedness. We cannot do this of ourselves. We need Your help.

Father, what about Your church. Are we "debt-free"...? I think not. Individuals, churches themselves, and on through to the federal government. We are laden with debt.

We can no longer love one another, because our debt has enslaved us. Have mercy, O God.

You blessed this nation so that we could bless others. But we have become greedy and we have ignored Your clear directives that we remain debt free ...so that we could love one another and proclaim Christ.

Personal debt:
We need Your help. Convict those who call You by Name. Convict us to be debt free.

We found good causes...like college education. We borrowed against a dream for future income and now it has not happened and we are in a nightmare.

Call on Your Church to set an example and manage personal debt. Let us start a new movement that will teach Your principles of financial management. Help us Father, have mercy. We cannot do this on our own. We need Your help.

Business debt:
Father, business owners have jeopardized their businesses by going into debt. Government programs that "help the poor" also made it possible for banks to lend to businesses. Now the businesses are in the same place as households.

We pay off debt by borrowing more money. Again the cycle has grave consequences as corporations turn to the government to bail them out. Yet, we are the government. What company will be next? You know O God.

National debt:
Is it any surprise, with personal and business debt that is out of control, that our nation is failing because of debt? How can anyone be unaware? How can we simply turn our attention to our pleasure and ignore the consequences of our failings.

We are a hedonistic nation, set on appeasing our own pleasures and abandoning Your clear directives regarding our debt. Have mercy O God.

Open our spiritual eyes, grant us reason. Open our hearts to recognize the wisdom of Your guidance and turn from our wickedness. We cannot do this of ourselves. We need Your help.

Have mercy O God, have mercy,

...that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

†     †     †    

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

A Prayer for our Church Leaders

***Praying for our church leaders

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,
You beckon us to pray for our leaders. It is challenging. Our own agendas get in the way and we are tempted to pray for our personal desires for the church rather than the challenges that the church leaders, especially pastors, are experiencing.

Grant us Your insight on what to pray and how to express these prayers to You that our pastors may be fortified, blessed and effective.

Your Word clearly indicates there are two kinds of wisdom.

James 3:16
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Father, these leaders need the wisdom that is from above. Clearly, they cannot make headway on spiritual matters if their wisdom is earthly. Enrich their spirits to hear Your wisdom, recognize it and give them words to bring life to that wisdom and pass it on throughout their church and community.

Peace...peace within our churches. Father, grant each pastor a peace-loving demeanor. May the demonstration of this peace, in their lives, be vivid to those that work with them and those that attend their churches.

May the peace that passes all understanding, well up within them and may they love the Prince of Peace and establish His peace within themselves and their churches. May they establish peace as a methodology to squelch silly arguments, dissolve disgruntled agendas, and change those personalities that would pursue contention.

Gentleness...O Father, this has to be a challenge. Pastors are pelted from every direction. Yet the wisdom from above is gentle. Your divine wisdom moves deep. Give pastors divine wisdom to see and speak deeply and subtly to those who would disrupt, disturb or wound those around them. Grant pastors the words that change and dismantle harshness.

Full of Mercy and Good Fruit...the practical display of godliness. How encouraging to see faith in action. Grant pastors the blessing of seeing their work expressed throughout their congregations and by their congregations! Make every pastor a person of action. Open the eyes of their congregants to appreciate the practical application of their pastor's faith, and to be so moved, that they follow suit.

Father, it is a challenge in every church that volunteers are not available to help when help is needed. May the requests and servanthood of their pastor beckon them to do likewise and may it no longer be a burden to find people to accomplish work that needs to be done.

...that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming.

In the Name of above all names, Jesus Christ,
...Who is the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

†     †     †    

This blog was inspired by David Mathis and more information can be found here.

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

Hope for a nation in love with corruption

***Hope for a nation in love with corruption

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

Your Word:

2 Peter 2:19
While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.

Confession:
Our nation, the land that I love, is sick. We have lost our first love. We have lost You as our identity. We have turned, everyone to his own way. Have mercy O God.

Father, corruption seems to be everywhere. In government, in business, in entertainment, in our communities and in our neighborhoods. We have given free reign, as a nation, and succumbed to the allure of exalting self. Have mercy O God.

Where did it come from. Surely You have said it:

Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Truly, the wiles of the enemy have offered us power, vice, and sin, all wrapped in delicious enticements. And we have indulged to the point of addiction. Have mercy on us, O God. Bring us to the Cross of Jesus Christ to find grace to save us.

Isaiah 53:6
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

For godly leaders and government:
How can we, as a nation, develop godly leaders, if we do not practice godly actions, as You, the One True and Living God, have defined "godly?" And without You, corruption has taken over. We need Your help. We need a revival.

You are the God of Justice. Many people are shouting for justice. Yet, this is impossible, if "we, the people" do not look to the God of Justice. Help us to turn to You.

As our government has grown, our rights have been rescinded. We have turned to government for our protection, rather than turned to You. Forgive us. We need Your help. We need a revival. Help us turn to You.

Call Your faithful to positions of leadership in every area of our lives: government, social organizations, churches, neighborhoods...raise up an army of leaders who look to You and Your Word for the answers.

For the entertainment industry:
Father, the entertainment industry, with rare exception, seeks our demise. It promotes corruption and has given us an appetite for corruption. We want to watch it, listen to it, and play "games" that allow us to be "players."

Raise up voices of reason to promote Your Holiness, that we may confess the demise of our appetite for Your Goodness, Your Justice, Your Security, Your Salvation.

For our schools:
Father, schools are no longer safe, and our children have become targets of the enemy. We took prayer out of our schools, we removed Your commandments...we do not want to submit to the protections You have put in place. Forgive us for thinking we can control and protect our society from corruption...

The enemy of righteousness is bent on our corruption. Yet, YOU have defeated him. You have overcome him. You have given those in Christ Jesus the authority over him. Raise us up, God of Justice. Raise up Your church to take authority over our neighborhoods, our towns, cities, our states and our nation...and bring it back to You.

For our neighborhoods. For revival!:
We need reviving...we have passed out and have become impotent. We are as buried bones. Raise us up to take back this nation. Grant us a determination to pick up the Sword of the Spirit and wield it in accordance with Your Word.

Revelation 12:11
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Let us proclaim the Word of God for the United States. Raise up our voices to speak out our authority by the blood of the Lamb. And may it be a sweet smelling aroma before Your throne of grace...

Move in our hearts and minds that we may turn from our wicked ways and boldly come before Your throne and find grace to help in our time of dire need.

Father, give us Your Word in our hearts! Grant us a hunger and thirst for Your Word. And as we indulge in it, may it come forth from us as our testimony! May we not love our lives unto the death.

For YOU are LIFE and YOU are LIFE Eternal. Praise be to Your Name, Jesus Christ: born of the virgin Mary, crucified for us, resurrected for us, and Who is the Living Word. May we erupt in praise and sing Your mighty victory over this land. May we be a people of prayer before the Righteous and Holy God.

It is Your desire that all men come to repentance:

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Fill us with Your Hope that others desire it. Fill us with Your Word to give them and call them to repentance. Father, develop us as Your army to uphold our leaders, protect our society, our children and this nation. Help us to do our part to lead in revival that JESUS CHRIST be served with excellence.

...that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming. In the Name of Jesus Christ, †     †     †    

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

To my horror and shame, I am a hypocrite... ...the prayers of one sinner

***To my horror and shame, I am a hypocrite...
     the prayers of one sinner

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

Isaiah 6:8
Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Confession:
How many times have I read those words, closed my eyes and said, "Lord, here am I, send me. I will go." You know, O Lord. Time after time, I have prayed those words. Today I realize that I didn't really mean it.

Over the years, I've decided for myself just where I should go. And I suited my personal desires. I decided I should go where I could use my natural talents. I wanted to go where I was comfortable...Rather than listen carefully to You, I created my own path...and missed opportunity. Forgive me, Lord.

Father, the years have passed. My body aged and I realized I could no longer "go"...no longer am I able to across the oceans. I could not "go" to help those in Hurricane Katrina, or Hurricane Sandy. I looked at starving children, and many others around the world and realized I could not go to them.

So I asked for money...so I could help others to go. I asked for money to support those who could go. I started giving as generously as possible...to send others, who are younger than I...and more courageous.

I thought I was being honorable. I was wrong. Forgive me, Lord.

Hypocrite:
My neighbors do not know the Gospel. They do not know You. They are not saved. And I have not gone. Am I really unable to "go"? Can I not take the 50 steps over to their house to inquire how they are doing? Is the "Good News" of salvation, so heavy, that I cannot carry it to them...even a leaflet or a tract?

Then there are the people at the mall...it's only 5 minutes away. Can I not go? Can I not find even one hour to give? I am a hypocrite. Forgive me.

Father, You show me that people are in need of hope. You are our Hope. People are in need of compassion, grace, and care...did You not demonstrate the ultimate compassion and grace, and care? Have You not cared for me? Have You not provided for me ....for decades? Do I not have stories to tell of Your faithfulness to me? Of course I do. Thank You, dear God. Forgive me for my selfishness. I confess that my desire for comfort, and my excuses, have declared that I am a hypocrite.

My excuses:
Father, my values, my desires and my fears hold me back.

      • I value my comfort over the souls of the lost.
      • I am afraid of tension between me and my neighbors.
      • I am afraid of the attack of the enemy, the evil one.
      • I covet my time over the needs of the lost,
            —needs that You have clearly revealed to me.
      • I am afraid of confrontation.
      • I am unwilling to trust You to lead me and guide me.

More Confession:
Father, I am ashamed. I have given up what I could and should be doing, to cater to my convenience.

The internet is full of examples on how to talk to people about Christ. I have no excuse on not knowing "how" to talk to people.

The stories of Your faithfulness are beyond number. I have no excuse for not thinking about them and selecting several that may encourage others.

I cannot go to disaster areas caused by so called "acts of nature"...but I can walk over to my neighbor.

I can give to organizations who can go, who can feed, and who can embrace those in need...yet, there is much more that I can do. I can go...I can go to the mall. I can go to the retirement home. I can visit those who are shut in. I can visit the sick.

Repentance:
Yet, Father, I cannot go without You. I dare not go without Your Spirit. Lead me, Lord. Lead me in Thy Righteousness. By Your Spirit, I ask to hear Your voice.

Reveal to me every hidden hypocrisy that has taken up residence in my heart and my mind. Open my eyes and reveal the need of others where I can make a difference. Grant me strength and resolve to use my feet and my mouth. Fill me with an urgency to walk by the Spirit and "go".

Have mercy on me, Lord God of Heaven, Redeemer, Sanctifier and Author and Finisher of my faith...

That I may be found faithful, in the day of His coming,

In Jesus' Name.

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

Gratitude for the Gift and Legacy of Billy Graham

***Gratitude for the Gift and Legacy of Billy Graham

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,
Your Word:

Ephesians 4:11-12
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

You gave us the gift of Evangelist Billy Graham. Thank You. Thank You for this man who followed Your calling, turning not to the right or to the left. Father, he stands as an example to us, of a servant leader, following Your call in all humility. Thank You. I weep at his passing.

Seeds:
You brought Your message of salvation to me through television ...how curious he was to my 9-year old mind. But I watched him at grandma's house on the black and white TV. I remember my father watching too. It didn't mean much then.

Now, 50 years later, I am in Christ. And as impossible as it seems, both my father and mother are now in heaven as they too came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Truly, that is a miracle. Thank You.

Pastor:
Mr. Graham served as pastor to many of our presidents. And in doing so, he was the pastor to our nation. I give you thanks that You found this man, willing to go where sent, to speak Christ. All who have heard him will be without excuse, for his words and his life demonstrated the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and Christ crucified. I give you thanks.

Teacher:
How many books did he write? You know. How many people read them in how many languages? How many lives were changed because of those books? You know.

And You know how many more will continue to be read and how many lives will be changed. Thank You for this man's life and testimony.

Evangelist: Souls of Saints:
Father, we sure like our numbers. The number of books, the number of tours, the number of crusades, the number of people who came forward... Yes, we like our the numbers. You like numbers too! You gave us the Book of Numbers. You count. Only You know "the numbers" in our lives.

You know the number of souls that have come to Jesus Christ because of Your work through Mr. Billy Graham. It gives me an inner warmth to think about the people who repented at the foot of the cross and found Your profound grace for their salvation. Thank You for those invitations...

Thank You for the hundreds of crusades in hundreds of countries, where Your Spirit was loosed to move in the hearts and minds of millions of people so that the Gospel of Christ could be proclaimed! Thank You for all these brothers and sisters in Christ, whom I will meet when time has no end.

Legacy:
Father, I ask a blessing on Mr. Graham's family at this time. Grant them private time and place to grieve their loss. Uphold them in public and embrace them as only You can.

As I see the outpouring of the ministries of his family, I am humbled at the profound difference this one family has had on our nation and the world.

The work of Franklin Graham through Samaritan's Purse. Father, he is an evangelist and only You know the lives that are changed by this organization. You know the challenge of finding a place to give with confidence, knowing that my gifts will be used in accordance with Your Word.

Please draw more people to this organization with hearts willing to give generously and joyously for this work. (Please give me more to give.)

The books, presentations, and prayers of Anne Graham Lotz. Father, her work has helped You to bring about deep change in my life. Surely, even this blog has been inspired, in part, by her ministry. Her life example, her willingness to share her personal struggles, her dependence on You...thank You for this woman, her voice, and how You have used her to grow and change lives —especially mine.

Father, she is an evangelist, and she brings the intense sense of urgency about our time and You compel us to know the signs of the times. Ms. Lotz brings the urgency of this matter directly to our hearts. Grant her voice, magnify Your work through her so that we may not be found slack in the day of Your coming. Thank You.

Father, I mention only two: Ms. Anne Graham Lotz, and her brother, Mr. Franklin Graham. Both are evangelists, in the steps of their father. I know the legacy is much wider and the list is endless. I am grateful that You know.

How many people, who committed their lives to Christ through Mr. Graham's ministry, have contributed to the proclamation of Your Word throughout the world? You know, O God. Not one detail has escaped Your notice. Thank You.

To those who who surfaced at this time to demean Mr. Graham: Father, I stand before You. I ask Your mercy on them. You are the God who changes hearts. I ask Your Spirit work in their hearts and minds to turn to the Cross of Christ and find grace to help in this time of need.
* * † * *
Father, may this man's life and the legacy of his family and the multitudes that he touched, compel us to live and commit ourselves to Your Word and Your work each day and do so with urgencey,

That we may be found sober, diligent, and faithful in the day of His coming,

In Jesus' Name,

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

It's deeper than gun control...the prayers of one sinner

***It's deeper than gun control...prayers of one sinner

Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,
The blame game is in full swing. The Second Amendment pros and cons are screaming from the rooftop. The second agendas are in full bloom, full swing and full voice. Yet, You are God. Thank You. You see the beginning from the end.

You are a God of justice. You love our children, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, teachers, first responders ...much more than we do...more than we can fathom. You too grieve at the loss at Parkland High, Sandyhook Elementary, Columbine High School...truly not one of them has escaped Your notice.

In the midst of our grief, You are the God who knows our sorrows. You are the God who hears our cry. We are sick at the Parkland shooting...as yet again we see more senseless loss of life. Families are forever changed.

Thank You that You never change.

Malachi 3:6
For I am the Lord, I change not;

We are consumed with our grief and we likely do not stop to see Your grief. I'm sorry. You suffer deep loss as well.

Psalm 127:3
Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

We want to blame...we need a scapegoat:
I'm so sorry, but not much has changed from the beginning of time.

Genesis 3:12
“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

Forgive us. We are so distraught that we want to lash out and blame anyone, anything, anybody that we see in our path. We join together, we band together with anyone who will stand with us—or allow us to stand with them. We point our finger, and join in the chant...at whatever comes our way. In this case, the obvious scapegoat is gun-control.

We don't know how to draw the line:
Father, we are so distraught that we could not stand it, if we realized that indeed, we are the problem. We are to blame. We can not bear to consider that we are guilty, we are at fault.

Yet, if we truly want to solve this problem, we must find the strength and the courage to look deep inside of us and realize that this matter began many, many years ago...when we turned from the safety of Your Word. We turned from Your guidance and determined that we have the answers.

Your Word clearly tells us how to draw the line. Yet, we have determined that we know better. We pushed Your Word out of our schools. WE decided that WE know better.

Forgive us. Have mercy on us. Grant us wisdom and strength to return to Your Word and find the lines that You set before us. Grant us the realization that You did this for our safety and for the safety of our children. We cannot find truth by ourselves. We cannot find the line by ourselves. We need Your help.

Help us to realize that we instigated these changes and help us to connect the dots to see the ramifications of taking control into our own hands without Your guidance.

We are a nation in rebellion:
Father, we refuse to draw the line in accordance with Your Word. Without Your guidance, mental illness has run rampage. Self-control has no boundaries.

The list goes on, and we refuse to take ownership that we have set up the circumstances that allow this horrible situation to perpetuate.

We pushed You out of the schools.
We put laws in place to support the killing of unborn children.
We have undermined Your definition of family.

Clearly, we don't know how to draw the line.

We indulge ourselves without regard for the consequences. And when the ugly consequences loom before us, we blame someone, or something else. We hold ourselves as righteous.

Forgive us. Cpen our eyes that we may turn our hearts to You. Strengthen our hearts to take responsibility for our actions. Grant us wisdom to find the line, and adjust our laws in a way that secures our land.

Help Lord,

That we may be found sober, diligent, and faithful in the day of His coming,

In Jesus' Name,



Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. These and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

Parkland School Shooting...prayers of my heart

***Parkland School Shooting...prayers of my heart Please pray with me:

Heavenly Father,

We are sick at the Parkland shooting. Yet again, the senseless loss of life. Families are forever changed. Thank You that You never change.

Malachi 3:6
For I am the Lord, I change not;

For the families:
Father, the grief of each family is beyond my understanding. We don't know the last words spoken to their children or their husband as they parted on that morning. What were the words of siblings to each other, parents to their children, children to their parents? ...exchanges between spouses? You know O God.

These are words that will live on in their minds for the rest of their lives. They are changed forever. Have mercy on them. Do the impossible...comfort them. Grant them peace—even if they don't want it. We need a miracle.

For the surviving students, teachers, officials, and administration:
Father, You know each heart. You know each thought and You alone understand. Nothing escapes You.

Psalm 139:2
Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Surely, there is no way for us to understand. There is no way to make it make sense. Yet, we cannot help ourselves as we engage on ceaseless thoughts to try to work through it. It is not possible. We need You. We need the peace that passes understanding...yet, in our grief, we cannot even desire peace. There is no way to make sense of these killings. Have mercy O God.

There are many images and sounds that are etched in the minds of everyone involved here. Images and sounds of horror: the dead, groans of the wounded and dying. The sound of bullets. The screams of friends. The orders of the law enforcement, sobs of friends and family; some with the relief of knowing their loved one is alive, and the angst of those who have been stripped of a loved one, a brother or sister, a friend and classmate, a teacher, a parent, a spouse.

Truly, this is the sound of horror.

Today, Father, the sound of terror and horror screams in the silence of the minds of everyone involved and perhaps in the minds of those of us who look from afar. There is so much brokenness, that it is hard to even conceive of healing. We are in shock. We need You.

Please send those who can help to manage this situation. Pour out the right words, or no words at all. Pour out understanding, discernment. Only You know what would help. Father, I can not think of anything that would help. But You are the perfect God of grace. Touch this situation.

Father, there are many broken hearts. Rise up and touch the many.

Psalm 34:18
The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

You promise to bring good out of every situation for those who love You and are called by You for Your purpose. Only You know how this is possible in this situation. The brokenness is inconceivable. Father, send those that love You and are called. They are needed. Open their mouths and hearts. Give them a presence that can assure others that You are there in this incredible time of need.

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For the law enforcement officers:
Father, these men and women have put aside their feelings and inclinations to subdue this shooter. This was their task after seeing the carnage that this person left in his path. Thank You for their training and self control. Thank You for their quick action to save others and to bring the situation under control. Thank You for these men and women who choose this profession despite the negativity and the harm that surrounds them.

For the shooter:
I ask for special grace for this young man, who lost his father and recently lost his mother...who has no semblance of belonging. Salvage this soul. Please bring a testimony that will speak of Your uncompromising righteousness and salvation for all who believe on Jesus Christ and His atonement for our sin. May many lives be saved through this incident.

For recovery:
Father, how will this young man recover? Does he have family? How will the families of the victims recover? Only You know. What can be salvaged for him. I cannot conceive of how this man can move forward. Father, can this man be a wake-up call to this nation that the problem is not gun control. We have lost our love of life and have made this kind of an act acceptable. Yet, YOU are the God of life. I ask for everyone here to be surrounded by forgiveness. This sounds so cheap and shallow. It sounds dismissive. Yet, I ask that people can draw close to You and find forgiveness for themselves as well. They need a miracle. We all need a miracle.

For those that blame:
Father, there is so much blame going on. We blame gun control; we blame President Trump; we blame law enforcement. We blame the administration. We blame those who thought there might be a problem and didn't act. We put blame everywhere that we can see. Yet we haven't visited the mirror.

We do not want to go to the truth that we are to blame. Your church is to blame! We have not done our part to take back this nation. It has gotten out of hand and Your church has not prayed against the insidious moral decay that has taken our land out from under us!

We are the ones that know that the battle is NOT against flesh and blood! We are the ones who know that it is not about the gun laws, President Trump, Congress...or anything else that is about flesh and blood!

What's worse is that You have given Your church the weapons to fight the unseen enemy.

Ephesians 6:12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Yet, we do not want to face this. Father, You know what it will take for Your church to rise up and take back that which You have given us in this nation...utilizing the weaponry that You have provided. Please awaken Your church to repent and to do our part.

May this incident cause us to rise up as the soldiers You have called to "occupy" until You come (Luke 19). Raise us up O God, Change our hearts.

...that we may found faithful in the day of Your coming,

In Jesus’ Name.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

For the love of Jesus, and the reality of hope through Him

***For the love of Jesus, and the reality of hope through Him..the prayers of my heart

Please pray with me.

Havenly Father, My heart is heavy as I survey the news. This nation seems to be bereft of sanity.

Confession:
The news reads like Sodom and Gomorrah, Babylon, Corinth. We have such confusion about gender, and whether unborn babies are actually live people. Has extortion become commonplace? Government, business, marriages, schools...it seems so.

Women are being extorted by men and companies. Women are extorting men such that it is impossible to know who has suffered loss and who is wielding power through the social media.

You know. You are Truth. We need You.

Greed seems to have spread like those California fires. Every opportunity to make money has been seized. Greed for money and power, and a need to dominate has reached into the depth of our very society. Discussion has gone by the wayside at every level.

Father, the fabric of this society is imploding. Have mercy.

Division has permeated everything. We are divided about race, gender, marriage...these are the foundation of our society and how we identify ourselves. We are divided in our politics, our leadership...the expression of our identity as a nation.

Father, society as a whole is collapsing. Have mercy.

Praise:
Praise to God who is merciful! You are the God who knows. You are omniscient. You see, You care, You are the God of Justice and of mercy. Have mercy on us. We are feeble and like sheep, we have gone astray.

You are the God who came and lived among us. Thank You, for You know our challenges and understand us. You are privy to the conversations we have with ourselves and with each other. There is nowhere to hide from You. Thank You.

You are sovereign and Your goodness is everlasting. Your justice will not be withheld forever. Have mercy O God of mercy.

Petittion:
Bring reasonability to this land. Move in our hearts. We cannot pull this apart. I ask that You lead and guide us to make Your will known and to give us a heart to do Your will.

For pastors and the Body of Christ.
You have given power and authority to the Body of Christ. Yet it is not preached from the pulpits. May that change. May pastors be convicted to talk about sin. May they be fearless and place the message of Your heart for each congregation before them. Father, call Your church to arise. Call us to rise up and speak the Gospel to those around us.

For politicians and for President Trump:
Father, may there be focus on collaboration and finding solutions. Dismiss the spirit of dissension, of un-reason-able-ness. Show us how to rid ourselves of the hatred that seems to demand a voice.

Our President, Vice President need "the wisdom that is from above" and You are the only source. Our Congress is in the greatest disarray of history. Hatred and blindness prevail. Dissension and deafness take center-stage. Father, our court system fights for credibility and the path is obscure. Have mercy. I ask it.

For those engaged in the non-profit and service sector:
Father, raise up those who are truly making a difference in a way that You are glorified. Many seek to make a difference and genuinely are moved by the challenges facing this nation. Establish the organizations doing Your work. Pour out Your provision upon them. May they identify with Your hand of gracious provision and give You the glory.

For businesses and their workers:
Father, many businesses are behaving poorly. Raise up those that apply Your principals of fair-ness, of quality goods and services, and who care about more than the bottom line, but instead, care about how the bottom-line is created. Bring businesses to the realization that their employees make or break them. I ask for fair treatment and diligent employees. Give them hope through Jesus Christ.

For the underemployed and unemployed:
You have made us to work. It is amazing! Our dignity comes back. Our self-worth comes into focus. I ask for jobs for the unemployed and underemployed...jobs that utilize their god-given skills and attributes. You know what they are. May these people call out to You and may Jesus Christ be credited for changes in their situation. Restore those who put their trust in You.

For pregnant and single mothers:
The hardship on these people is crushing. Father, reinstall the joy the gladness of children. May unborn children be protected. May Your church rise up to bring the support needed by single mothers and to one-parent children. Call upon Your church to rise to this need across our nation. And may their support reduce and eliminate the perceived need for abortion. Show us how to care, how to support, and how to raise up and enable these people to live in accordance with Your Word.

Father, this nation, that I love, needs You. Have mercy...for Jesus' sake,

...that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming.

In Jesus' Name

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports.

Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/

The one critical question that will truly reduce abortion in the U.S....the prayer of one sinner

For the U.S. to take ownership and stop killing babies through abortion

Please pray with me.

Oh Father, the words of Senator Ben Sasse ring in my ears as 46 out of 97 senators voted to "continue discussion" on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act.

Senator Ben Sasse:
A hefty majority (it's not close) of Americans support this legislation including:

• a super majority of women,
• including most young people,
• including most independents,
• and now ticking up just shy of half of all Democrats.

This should not be a partisan issue and in the future it won't [be].

It's going to be a bi-partisan issue, because you have to tell the truth, that those pictures, are pictures of babies and they are alive and they deserve our protection.
U.S. Senator Ben Sasse

This nation, that I love, The United States of America, has, yet again, decided to go its own way and ignore Your Word:

Exodus 20:13
"Thou shalt not murder."

My heart is heavy. It seems so clear to me...yet...

...my midwife-and-nurse friend clearly makes a case that there is so much more to this than convenience.

Confessing my own hypocracy:
I confess that I have dismissed those who are pro-abortion and lumped them into one group of people who, for the convenience of their comfortable life, elect abortion.

I have forgotten those who can't feed or manage the children they have and who crumble at the thought of one more mouth to feed, one more child to care for.

I have ignored the reality that as children grow, the needs become more sophisticated and complex...and at that time, much of the support has disappeared!

I have ignored that there may be "initial care" for mothers in need, but the long-term needs are even greater and the care dwindles.

By lumping together all people who choose abortion into one group who crave personal convenience and comfort, I have been a hypocrite. I did so for my own convenience.

Forgive me and show me my part.

Repentence:
I give You thanks that You are Truth. You are holy and Your ways are perfect. I bend my knee. I commit to listening to Your Spirit, to define my part, and to be obedient to Your leading.

The critical question:
What would give mother's (and fathers!) of the unborn babies long-term hope that the support they need will be there for them?

The needs are overwhelming and last for the remainder of the life of these parents. Raise up Your church to take a personal interest and provision for those in their community who are making a choice. Raise up Your church to commit to long-term assistance.

• The immediate care isn't obvious either...what about the other children?
• There are the basic needs: food, shelter and clothing.
• So many "other" needs: safety, a clean and pleasant place to live and grow.
• What about their emotional needs? Support for parents: financial, medical, emotional and so many other needs.
• Childcare. Father it is a never-ending need, even when the children become adults.
• What about the emotional support, when mother and child go home...when "life" starts again.

• this list is endless. And if we truly desire to shut down the abortion industry, we need to address it.

The critical answer:
Give us, Your church, a heart for these people who are caught. Help us to dismiss out criticism and judgement on them. Move our hearts to actively pour out Your grace on each situation.

Grant us an intense need to reach out. Give us new ideas on how to help by building communities of support. Bring along organizers to organize, lay ministers to minister, and may the blight of this sin be preached from the pulpits of this nation—that we may be rid of this curse that is upon us.

Raise up Your church. You are the God of Life. Help us align our support to ensure life and hope for those in this industry and those who are in need.

...all that we may be found faithful in the day of His coming.

In Jesus' Name

Intercessors For America offers a variety of helpful resources to pray about pro-life issues: daily devotionals, prayer bookmarks, and special reports. Please consider these prayers for the revival of our nation:
For the U.S.
For the Sanctity of Life
Disaster Recovery Prayers
For the Trump Administration
For Leaders and Decision Makers
For Pastors, especially in the U.S.

***This prayer is my own and the content does not reflect the philosophy or policies of any organization. It is inspired by the Intercessors for America newsletter. Learn more and consider joining this incredible organization, that is committed to praying for America.

For assistance in understanding God's Word, consider the Derek Prince Legacy Radio podcasts. This and other free and life-changing resources can be found at https://www.derekprince.org/.

For encouragement and guidance to pray for our nation, please consider being a part of Intercessors for America. Join this army of prayer warriors. Consider visiting their website to learn more. http://ifapray.org/