We join you in lifting up this wide and weighty burden before the Lord and we thank you for bringing all of these needs to Him with such persistence and faith. We hear your heart crying out for extra strong protection and breakthrough for yourself and for all in need, for encouragement and wisdom, for the Lord's anointing on every outreach and service, and for His hand to resolve conflicts, to convict where there is sin, to heal the sick and wounded, and to save the lost. We stand with you in this.
We are encouraged that you close giving thanks to the Lord Jesus, for it is only through His name that we have access to the Father and it is only by His name that we are saved. As it is written, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved Acts 4:12 and Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me John 14:6. We come therefore boldly together in Jesus' name.
We pray for the strong protection and breakthrough you are asking for. The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one 2 Thessalonians 3:3 and He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty Psalm 91:1. We ask Him to put His angels charge over you and over all those you have lifted up, to guard you in all your ways Psalm 91:11. We also remember that our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world's rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places Ephesians 6:12, so we ask the Lord to clothe us all in the whole armor of God that we may stand.
We join you in praying for the many requests that you mention were deleted, and we agree with you for persecuted Christians, for the salvation of those who are unsaved, for the peace of Jerusalem, for those suffering in war zones and from calamities, and for abused children. We pray for the peace of Jerusalem Psalm 122:6 and we ask the Lord to remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them Hebrews 13:3. The Father is a Father of the fatherless and defender of widows Psalm 68:5 and Jesus said to see that you do not despise one of these little ones, for in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father Matthew 18:10. We ask Him to rescue, to comfort, and to bring justice where there has been abuse and oppression, and to let His glory fill the earth as the waters cover the sea Habakkuk 2:14, for you rightly prayed that the earth be filled with His glory. We know He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us Ephesians 3:20.
We bring before the Lord those you named for healing and for soul wounds, including her healing from school and exams and the deep need for encouragement and fatherly care. We ask the Lord to heal the broken in heart, and bind up their wounds Psalm 147:3 and to forgive all your iniquities and heal all your diseases Psalm 103:3. We pray He will be a Father to the fatherless and show His mighty hand and love in tangible ways, and grant wisdom and peace in school and in every test.
Concerning the relationships you mentioned, including the dysfunctional relationships you ask the Lord to stop and to intervene in, we pray with you for God's holy conviction and for His perfect will to be done. We must speak plainly as Scripture does that marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the bed undefiled, but God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers Hebrews 13:4 and to flee sexual immorality 1 Corinthians 6:18. Any courtship should be between a believing man and a believing woman with the goal of lifelong marriage, for do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers 2 Corinthians 6:14, and sexual intimacy belongs only within that marriage covenant. Where a relationship is dysfunctional, unequally yoked, or marked by fornication, manipulation, or other sin, we pray the Lord will indeed severely confront what is not of Him, bring deep conviction through the Holy Spirit who will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment John 16:8, and either bring true repentance and reconciliation in a godly way or graciously sever what should not continue. We ask Him to heal soul wounds and to bring salvation first of all, for that is the greatest need.
We also hear your honest confession about speaking in anger to ### about ### and about talking to others about matters that should have been handled more privately. We thank God for your repentant heart. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness 1 John 1:9. We pray the Lord forgives you as you have confessed, and helps you to walk in Ephesians 4:29, Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear, and to pursue peace where there has been conflict. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men Romans 12:18. We pray for wisdom in how to resolve the conflicts at work, on your team, and in the church, and for the specific issue at church if it is true, that truth would be revealed in love and that gossip would be healed. A whispering separates close friends Proverbs 16:28, so we ask the Lord to turn what was spoken amiss into a blessing and to restore relationships in a true way that honors Him. We pray He mediates between you and those you mentioned and brings reconciliation where it is His will.
We lift up your work, your weakness, your meetings, and your place in the church, as well as the sermons, the workshop, the sermon on hope, the Live Nativity, and the evening of prayer and praise this Friday. We ask for wisdom, strength, encouragement, authority, love, inspiration and favor, for if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him James 1:5. We pray the Lord will anoint your church and your prayer gathering powerfully, not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says Yahweh of Armies Zechariah 4:6, and that He will raise up more prayer warriors, convict His people, and pour out His presence. We thank Him with you for helping with the first sermon and we ask for a very strong anointing on the next one and on every outreach, that many would be saved.
For your own encouragement when you feel weak and overwhelmed at work and in ministry, we pray you will hear His promise, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness Isaiah 41:10. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition 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 thoughts in Christ Jesus Philippians 4:6-7.
We pray together now, Father, we come before Your throne in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, asking for Your extra strong protection and breakthrough over this dear one and over all those in need whose names have been lifted before You, even those redacted for privacy whom You know fully. Pour out encouragement and heavenly wisdom, anoint every outreach, service, sermon, workshop, Live Nativity, and our prayer and praise gathering, and let Your presence be manifest powerfully. Convict where there is sin, confront evil, stop every dysfunctional and unholy relationship and heal every soul wound, bring salvation to those who do not yet know You, heal the sick quickly, restore what has been broken, resolve conflicts at work, on the team, and in the church, and grant favor and guidance in every meeting. Forgive sinful anger and unwise speech as it has been confessed, cleanse and teach us to speak only what builds up, and turn every failure into a testimony of Your grace. Protect persecuted Christians, bring peace to Israel, comfort those in war zones and calamities, defend abused children, and let Your glory fill the earth. Strengthen this servant in weakness, lead and guide and take over completely at work and in ministry, and do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think, for Your glory. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.