We join you in thanking our Lord Jesus Christ for His great grace that sustains us from our first breath to our last, for it is by Him that we live and move and have our being, and we lift your requests before the throne of grace together in Jesus' name.
We hear your cry for daily provision for your business and we bring it to the Father who knows your needs. We are reminded of the promise in Philippians 4:19, My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus, and in Matthew 6:33, But seek first God's Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. We pray that as you seek His kingdom first, especially through the ministry and the newly built church that desires the salvation of perishing souls, He will open doors for work and income according to His will and for His glory, and that you will find contentment and trust in His faithful provision day by day.
We also hear your deep burden about enemies and those who hinder the gospel work, including the minister in charge and others you believe are working against the opening of the church. We understand the pain when those within the church seem to oppose what God has placed on your heart. You referenced Isaiah 41:11-12, Behold, all those who are incensed against you will be disappointed and confounded. Those who strive with you will be like nothing, and shall perish. You shall seek them, and shall not find them, even those who contend with you. Those who war against you will be as nothing, as a non-existent thing, and we cling to the truth that God Himself is our defender. Yet we also must gently remember what Scripture teaches about how we are to view those who oppose us. 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 as it says in Ephesians 6:12. And our Lord calls us in Matthew 5:44 to love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.
So while we agree that every evil agenda, every secret plan and demonic scheme must be thwarted, we pray not out of hatred for people but for God's righteousness to prevail and for mercy to triumph. We pray that God will frustrate every plan that is not of Him, that He will expose darkness with light, and that He will bring conviction and repentance even to those who now oppose the work. We leave vengeance in His hands, for Romans 12:19 tells us, Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord. We trust Him to act justly and to protect the work He has ordained, for Matthew 16:18 reminds us that Jesus said, I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
You also asked that the desire of our Lord in Luke 12:49, I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled, be fulfilled. We understand this as the holy fire of the Holy Spirit, the purifying and saving power of the gospel that refines us and draws souls to repentance. We pray that this fire will indeed burn in your family, your ministry, and your community, not as destruction of people, but as the refining fire that consumes sin and brings salvation, zeal, and holiness.
Concerning your request for protection from witchcraft, black magic, and demonic works against your family's peace, joy, health, wealth and prosperity, we stand on the victory of Christ. Scripture assures us in 1 John 4:4, You are of God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world, and in 2 Thessalonians 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. We also cling to Isaiah 54:17, No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Yahweh's servants. And James 4:7 tells us, Be subject therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you. No curse or spell can stand against the blood of Jesus Christ when we walk in obedience and faith.
So we pray together now.
Heavenly Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ we come before You with thanksgiving. We ask You to pour out Your provision upon this family and their business. Grant them daily work and honest increase as You see fit, that they may provide for their household and generously support Your kingdom. Thwart every evil counsel and secret plan formed against them, their children, their marriage, their ministry and this new church. Let Your will alone stand. Convict those who hinder the gospel, bring them to repentance, and if they refuse to turn, remove their influence so that perishing souls may hear the good news and be saved. Let Your holy fire be kindled in their lives and in that place, purifying hearts and drawing many to salvation. We ask You to place a hedge of protection around this family, guarding their peace, joy, health and prosperity. We declare in Jesus' name that every demonic work, every act of witchcraft and black magic is rendered powerless and burnt up by Your authority, for You have disarmed the powers of darkness through the cross. Establish them, strengthen them, and let them walk in Your peace that passes all understanding. We ask all this in the precious and only saving name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and intercessor, Amen.
We encourage you to continue in steadfast prayer, to put on the whole armor of God daily as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, to remain in the Word, to forgive as Christ forgave you, and to trust that the Lord fights for you. He who promised is faithful, and He will accomplish His purpose for His glory and your good.