We come before the Lord with heavy hearts, grieving over the state of the church today where so many who claim the name of Christ live in ways that contradict His holy Word. Father, we know that Your heart breaks when Your children walk in disobedience while still calling themselves by Your name. The apostle Paul warned us in 2 Timothy 3:1-5, "But know this, that in the last days, grievous times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, not lovers of good, traitors, headstrong, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; holding a form of godliness, but having denied its power." Lord, we see this prophecy unfolding before our eyes.
We must first examine our own hearts, Father, for we know that none of us lives perfectly before You. Search us, O God, and know our hearts. Try us and know our thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in us, and lead us in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24). Help us to be quick to repent when we fall short, and to walk in humility before You and others.
But Lord, we must also speak truth in love to those who persist in ungodliness while claiming Christ. Your Word is clear in 1 John 2:3-6, "This is how we know that we know him: if we keep his commandments. One who says, 'I know him,' and doesn't keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth isn't in him. But whoever keeps his word, God's love has most certainly been perfected in him. This is how we know that we are in him: he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked." The evidence of true faith is a transformed life that seeks to obey You.
We rebuke the deception that says we can claim Christ while living in habitual sin. James 1:22 warns us, "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." And in Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus Himself said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?' Then I will tell them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.'" These are sobering words, Lord. We tremble at the thought of hearing those words spoken to us.
We pray for those who are deceived, Father. Open their eyes to see the truth of Your Word. Convict them of sin by Your Holy Spirit. Give them repentant hearts that turn away from their ungodly ways. Help them to understand that true faith produces fruit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Where these fruits are absent, we must question whether the root of true faith is present.
We also pray for boldness and wisdom for Your true followers. Help us to speak the truth in love, not shrinking back from declaring the whole counsel of God. Give us compassion for the lost and the deceived, but also courage to confront sin where we see it. Help us to be lights in this dark world, showing forth the transforming power of the gospel in our own lives.
Lord, we know that judgment begins with the household of God (1 Peter 4:17). Purify Your church, Father. Remove the dross from the silver so that we may be vessels for honorable use, set apart, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21). Raise up godly leaders who will shepherd Your flock according to Your heart, not seeking their own gain but serving with humility and integrity.
We pray for revival in our land, Lord. Not just emotional experiences, but true revival that brings repentance, holiness, and a passion for Your Word. Break our hearts for what breaks Yours. Help us to hate sin as You hate it, and to love righteousness as You love it. Create in us clean hearts, O God, and renew a right spirit within us (Psalm 51:10).
And Lord, for those who are reading this and realize that they have been living in ungodliness while claiming Christ, we pray that today would be the day of salvation and repentance for them. Help them to see their need for a Savior. Remind them that if we confess our sins, You are faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Lead them to true repentance that produces fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the name above all names, the only name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12). It is through His precious blood that we have access to You, Father. It is by His grace that we are saved, through faith - and this is not of ourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). But we also know that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Help us to live out our faith in obedience to You, for Your glory and honor.
May Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.