A Lifestyle of Peace: Pray for the World

Let us always remember to pray for the people in our world who are still suffering. Prayers are effective, they're powerful. God hears our prayers in a very real way, and very often answers them. Recount in your past the many times God has answered your prayers. Recall his faithfulness, and remind him of his promises. He is our Father after all. He loves us and he listens.

Prayer isn't just something to be done on our knees at night and in the morning, though those are definitely good things to do. Prayer is also in my head when I'm driving to work. Prayer is while I'm walking, or jogging, or with family members. Prayer is writing and journaling my requests to God. Prayer is always.

Philippians 4:6 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Some might think that since God has preordained everything and it's his will that is being done, that there is no point in praying for things or people. But that would not be a Biblical view. We're instructed in the book of James to pray for one another.

James 5:16 (ESV) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Guess who's righteous? You are! But not because of all the wonderful things you've done. Let's just be real, there aren't that many. But you're righteous because of what Jesus Christ did. His birth, his life, his teaching, his healing, his atoning sacrifice, and his conquest of the plague upon mankind at this very moment: death. Now, we have life. Though we pass through the shadow of death (physical death) our souls can never die, and our bodies we be resurrected, free from the sin nature, the sin nature that is death. Finally, the curse removed, forever.

But we're not there yet. And remember to stay faithful until the very last day. But it's not so hard to stay faithful. Pursue holiness. Love your friends and family. Keep Jesus Christ as your first love. Be quick to show mercy to those who are sad, crippled, afflicted, and lost. A great way to do just that is to pray.

Pray, and pray more. Pray all the time. So let's do that. I'll list some prayer suggestions, requests, ideas, whatever you want to call it. As I write these things God is listening, so the act of writing is prayer in and of itself. Try it sometime! Yep, God does read this blog! Oh my, so exciting!

Alright, prayer requests:

First of all Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing my prayers in this writing and the prayers of the people reading who I'm certain will commit these requests to prayer. Thank you for the incredible gift of instant communication with you, no matter where we are. Truly no one can snatch us from your arms.

Prayers for the persecuted Christians in Iraq and Syria, who are being exterminated by ISIS. Please Lord, protect them, guide them to safety, shelter, food, water, and sanctuary from evil men. Additionally Father, we pray that you change the hearts and minds of those participating in ISIS, that you would meet them in their hearts, their minds, their dreams, and that they would come to know Jesus Christ as Lord.

Prayers for the hundreds of thousands of children caught up in the sex trade industry worldwide. Father please, may your Spirit go out in incredible force to save these children, bring them out of the industry, and to sanctuaries where they can rest and be healed. Please raise up organizations dedicated to rescuing these children and fighting such a wicked industry. And please Father be working in the hearts and minds of the men and women involved in the sex trade industry. Prayers that they would be convicted of their sins and find themselves no longer able to participate in the sex trade industry, and instead to seek out and find Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Prayers for the millions of children who are aborted worldwide every year. I pray Father that you would take these children into your arms and bring them safely to a place where you can care for them. Prayers that the women considering abortions would think twice, and many more times about their decision, and that they would decide instead to have the children and give them up for adoption. Prayers that political leaders would have rapid, powerful changes of heart regarding abortion and make it's practice illegal in all countries in our world. Prayers that couples across the country and world would use temperance and thought consideration before engaging in sexual encounters that might lead to unwanted children.

Prayers that Congress, the Supreme court, and the President would make wise decisions in all their legislations and decisions. Father I pray that you would change their hearts and minds from corruption to a desire for purity. I pray your Spirit would convict their hearts, challenge their minds, and meet them spiritually in powerful ways that would turn them from atheism, wickedness, satanism, and corporate/banking agendas of all kinds. Please Lord convert many of these men and women who serve only private interests and international banking cartels, that they would becoming Christians and serve the will of the people, the republic.

Prayers for the many churches across the United States, for humble servant leadership, wise spending of resources, a servant attitude in caring for the communities around them, and quality Biblical teaching and evangelism efforts.

Prayers for the many atheist, agnostic, deist, naturalist, and "not interested" people in the United States and in the world at large. Father please bring them into communion with Jesus Christ, by any and all means necessary.

Prayers for the many Buddhists, Muslims, Hindi, Pagans, Universalists, and New Agers in the United States and the world at large today. Father I pray that you would come to them in their religions and expose the truth of Jesus Christ to them in powerful ways, that they would forsake their past views and accept Jesus Christ, that they would have eternal life.

Prayers for Jewish Israel. The scriptures say that you still love the Jews Father, your first chosen people. Please Lord intersect with them in their time of need, protect them, encourage them, but also instruct them and guide them to the Messiah you sent, Jesus Christ.

Prayers for the many drug addicts, pill poppers, meth heads, heroin junkies, cocaine addicts, potheads, alcoholics, cigarette smokers, and all others lost in addictions of all kinds. You love your people Father. And you seem to have a great love and care and special mercy for those who are lowly and lost, like I was in the past. Please Lord show these people incredible mercy, reach out to them in the form of your Holy Spirit. Meet them where they are, and bring them about to recovery. Bring the idea to their minds in their moments of greatest pain to call on Jesus Christ for help.

Father your word says that the prayers of the righteous avails much. We pray all these things in the righteousness of Jesus Christ that has been gifted to us.

Mark 11:24 (ESV) says "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."

We believe in your power Lord, your righteousness, your omnipotent ability to change anything and everything in the blink of an eye, and we believe in your desire to show incredible mercy and grace to your people. We believe we have received these requested prayers.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Yeshua our Savior, Amen.