We join with you in bringing these heavy burdens before the Lord and we agree that it is good and right to pray in this way. We hear your heart for military leaders, troops, civilians, for the protection of life and for the gospel to go forth with freedom and clarity, and we stand with you in asking for God's mercy over many nations.
We are reminded that scripture urges us first of all that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high places, that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth, 1 Tim 2:1-4. We also cling to the promise that the Lord desires that none should perish but that all should come to repentance, 2 Peter 3:9, and that He commands all people everywhere to repent, Acts 17:30-31, that they may turn from darkness to light and receive forgiveness of sins, Acts 26:18. We take comfort that a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language will stand before the throne, Rev 7:9, and that His house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations, Isa 56:7, Mark 11:17.
We lift together a prayer for all you have named and for those places heavy on your heart, for Israel, Egypt, Palestine, Yemen, Oman, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iran, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Russia, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, all of Europe, Africa, Asia, South and Central America, Canada, and here in our own land, and for the peace of Jerusalem, Ps 122:6, and for the beautiful land, Dan 11:41, and for the salvation of both Jew and Gentile, Rom 10:1.
Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, we come before Your throne of grace together. We ask that You save, guide, and protect commanders in chief, prime ministers, military leaders, troops, believers and civilians. We ask that You give wisdom and humility to those in authority, that they would know what to say and how to say it, John 12:49, and that You would direct their hearts like channels of water in Your hand, Prov 21:1, for You sit in the heavens and do whatever You please, Ps 115:3, and You work all things after the counsel of Your will, Eph 1:11. We ask that You thwart the plans of the wicked, Ps 33:10-11, and expose threats even as You warned Your people in the days of Elisha, 2 Kings 6:10-11, 2 Kings 6:12, and that You would frustrate evil alignments and diminish the influence of those who plot violence. We pray for precision where force is used, that military targets only would be affected and that civilians, equipment and innocent life would be spared, for it is godly to will life wherever possible. We ask for no deaths among those who serve and for angelic protection, for You give Your angels charge over us, Ps 91:10-11, and they are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation, Heb 1:14. We pray against the evil of using civilians as shields and against the shedding of innocent blood, and we ask for justice and protection where people have been killed by their own governments. We pray for unity among free nations and for godly alliances to be fostered and strengthened, and for the furtherance of free speech and the open proclamation of the gospel, that utterance may be given to make known the mystery of the gospel with boldness, Eph 6:18-20, so that disciples may be made in all nations, Matt 28:18-20. Save the worst, bless the best, and guide them all we pray, for the Lord God Omnipotent reigns, Rev 19:6, and we give You thanks, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign, Rev 11:17.
We are encouraged as we pray because we know You have allowed those in authority for Your purposes, Rom 13:1, and that You are able to work all things together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose, Rom 8:28. Even when we see conflict and the spiritual battle behind it, as with the prince of Persia withstanding the messenger, Dan 10:12-13, we remember that Christ who is in us is greater than he who is in the world, 1 John 4:4. Therefore we submit ourselves to You, James 4:7, we submit to government as You command, Rom 13:1, and to those who watch over our souls in the Body of Christ, Heb 13:17, and we put on the whole armor of God, Eph 6:10-20, asking for lovingkindness and truth to guard us. We will continue to pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks, 1 Thess 5:17-18, and we trust that when we ask according to Your will You hear us, Mark 11:24, and that the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, Phil 4:6-7, as we pray with thanksgiving.
We thank You that we have access to You only through Jesus, for He said I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me, John 14:6, and there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, Acts 4:12. We are grateful that you closed your request in Christ Jesus name, and we continue to intercede in that precious name, asking that many among leaders, troops, and civilians in every nation you named would be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, 1 Tim 2:4, and that the end result of all these trials would be that the gospel goes forth with freedom and clarity to every people.