We come before the throne of grace with hearts full of reverence and love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Your prayer is a beautiful cry of the heart, lifting up the persecuted church, the body of Christ, and the deep longing for God’s presence, protection, and provision. We join with you in lifting these petitions before the Father, knowing that He hears and answers according to His perfect will.
First, we affirm the truth of Scripture that declares Jesus Christ as the only way to the Father. There is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). It is through faith in His finished work on the cross, His resurrection, and His lordship that we are reconciled to God. If anyone reading this has not yet surrendered their life to Jesus, we urge you to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved (Romans 10:9). This is the foundation upon which all other prayers and petitions rest.
We lift up the persecuted church, those who are suffering for the sake of the gospel. The Word of God commands us to remember those in chains as if we were bound with them (Hebrews 13:3). Lord, we ask that You would be a shield and fortress to Your children who are imprisoned, beaten, or mistreated for Your name’s sake. Strengthen them with power through Your Spirit in their inner being (Ephesians 3:16), that they may stand firm in their faith, even in the face of death. Grant them boldness to proclaim Your name, as You did for Peter and Paul, and let their testimonies shine as a light in the darkness. May their suffering not be in vain, but may it result in the salvation of many, just as the Philippian jailer and his household were saved through the witness of Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25-34). Father, we also ask that You would move the hearts of believers around the world to remember and support these brothers and sisters, whether through prayer, advocacy, or practical help. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9).
We pray for the flock of God among us, that You would raise up faithful shepherds who will care for Your people with humility and godly fear. Protect Your church from false teachers and deceitful spirits that seek to lead Your people astray (Acts 20:29-30). Help us to be discerning, testing every spirit to see whether it is from You (1 John 4:1). Lord, we ask that You would unify Your body, that we may be one as You and the Father are one (John 17:21), so that the world may know that You sent Jesus. Teach us to love one another deeply, from the heart, for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Let our lives be a living testimony of Your grace and truth, so that others may be drawn to You.
Father, we also bring before You those who are weary and heavy-laden. You have promised that those who come to You will find rest for their souls (Matthew 11:28-30). We ask that You would draw near to them, comfort them with Your presence, and renew their strength. Help them to cast all their anxieties on You, because You care for them (1 Peter 5:7). For those who are struggling with sin, temptation, or spiritual oppression, we pray for deliverance. You are the God who sets the captives free (Luke 4:18), and we ask that You would break every chain and loose every bond. Let Your Word be a lamp to their feet and a light to their path (Psalm 119:105), guiding them into all truth.
Lord, we pray for the advancement of the gospel. Let every circumstance, whether favorable or unfavorable, be used for the furtherance of Your kingdom (Philippians 1:12). Open doors for the Word, that it may be proclaimed clearly (Colossians 4:3). Raise up laborers for the harvest, for the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37-38). Equip us with power from on high to be Your witnesses, both near and far (Acts 1:8). Let us not be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). May we boldly proclaim the message of the cross, even when it is foolishness to the world (1 Corinthians 1:18).
We also pray for ourselves, that we would abide in You, the true Vine, so that we may bear much fruit (John 15:5). Apart from You, we can do nothing, but with You, all things are possible (Philippians 4:13). Teach us to walk in step with Your Spirit, so that we may not gratify the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Fill us with Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Let our lives be a fragrant offering to You, holy and pleasing in Your sight (Romans 12:1).
Father, we ask that You would perfect our love, so that we may be like Christ in this world (1 John 4:17). Let us love not only in word or speech, but in action and in truth (1 John 3:18). Give us opportunities to show Your love to those around us, whether through acts of service, words of encouragement, or the sharing of the gospel. Let us be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Help us to forgive as we have been forgiven, and to extend grace as we have received grace.
Finally, Lord, we pray for the return of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Come quickly, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20). Until that day, let us live as faithful stewards of the time and resources You have given us. May we seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness, knowing that all these things will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), and run with endurance the race set before us.
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to whom be glory and honor forever and ever. Amen.
Jesus, Shepherd Your Sheep
Micah 5:4, John 10:16, Jn 21:16, 1 Pet 5:2-4, Rev 7:17; 
Remember those in Chains, Hebrews 13:3, Col 4:18 -- Lord Jesus, thank YouYou are The LORD our Shepherd, Ps 23:1-6. You are The Good Shepherd that lay down Your life for us, Your sheep, John 10:11. Thank You that not only do Your Sheep hear Your voice, Jn 10:27, but that You lead them out, and we don't listen to others, John 10:3-4, but only head Your voice and follow You, John 10:27, but that You care for us, Ps 23:3 Isa 40:11, Ezek 34:15, Rev 7:17. Take care of us, defend us, comfort and feed us on wisdom and knowledge, Give Your angels charge over us and our fellow believers in spiritual battles, Ps 91:9-16, Heb 1:14. Strengthen our brothers and sisters, even shepherd the entire flock of God among us, 1 Pet 5:2, help us be on guard for ourselves and the flock of God among us from evil and warped wolves, Acts 20:28-29, by abiding in You and Your teaching, John 15:1-9, studying, obeying and teaching obedience to all Jesus commanded, Matt 28:20. Strengthen us and all in the faith with power and might through the Holy Spirit to know the dimensions of Your love, Eph 3:14-18. Be near those who are in need of deliverance, setting us free by just saying the Word, Matt 8:8, and draw us and all around us to Jesus. Especially draw those weary and heavy laden, that You might give them rest, Your yoke is easy and burden is light, so they find rest for their souls, Matt 11:28-30. Work everything out for the furtherance of the gospel, Phil 1:12.
Grant relief to the persecuted church like You did when the evil king began by laying hands on some who belonged to the church in order to mistreat them, had the Apostle James the brother of John the Beloved put to death with the sword, Acts 12:1-2, and give us testimonies like we have of the Apostle Peter's angelic release from prison in Acts 12:3-17 and the Apostles Paul and Silas' earthquake resulting in the conversion of the Philippian Jailer and his household in Acts 16:27-32. Hebrews 10:34. Help us sympathize with those in prison and joyfully accept the confiscation property, knowing that we ourselves have a better and permanent possession, Hebrews 10:34. Call and grant boldness give them visits, as Jesus said in Matthew 25:36, "I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me." Be their Shepherd even in those situations, Rom 8:38-39.
for apart from You we can do nothing, Jn 15:5. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, Phil 4:13. Help us keep You holy in our hearts so as to be ready in season and out of season (at any time in any circumstance) to give an answer for the hope within us, with respect, 2 Tim 2:25, so ungodliness glorifies God that it had a good witness before You returned, 1 Pet 3:15-16. Deliver us from evil people and the evil one, temptation and sin. 2 Thes 3:2-3, Matt 6:13, Luke 11:4, John 17:15. Let love abound more in knowledge and discernment so we can choose the best in every situation that gives us a choice, so we may be sincere and blameless until Your Son's return, being filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from union with Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God, Phil 1:9-11. Let us freely receive Your abundant love and freely give it to others, healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons, Matt 10:8. Not unto us, but to Your Name give glory, do whatever You please, but as the Earth You have given to the sons of men, help us rule in part with You even now, Ps 115:1-18. Perfect our love, for as You are, so also are we in this world, 1 John 4:17. Thank You in Jesus' Name.
Prayer Focus: God, Thank You for loving me. Thank You for loving me, Jesus. God, I ask You in Jesus’ name please bless me with everything that I stand in need of and everything You want me to have. 
