Church family,
I am taking a brief break from sharing devotional reflections in 1 & 2 Samuel with you. I feel there is something much more urgent before us. Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. Last week I shared with you that the local chapter is having their prayer breakfast on WLMB this Thursday at 7:00 am. You will not be able to attend in person but are encouraged to attend virtually by tuning in to WLMB channel 40 on television or online.
What I want to exhort you to is to do more than tune in. I want you to be more intentional beyond Thursday morning. Could we, each in our own homes, begin to be more intentional in prayer? Often we pray prayers for protection, safety, guidance, and healing. There is nothing wrong with that. We are to ask the Lord for these things. What I want to challenge you to do is to, let’s say, be more desperate in prayer. You may ask, “What do you mean by that, pastor?” 
Overall, we Americans have a pretty good life. The challenge is that when we have experienced ‘the good life’ we want to stay there. We don’t want to lose it. That would be a pretty natural response. Our prayers often end up more focused on restoring or keeping personal comfort and safety. But where experiencing the ‘good life’ can be harmful is that it can also make us less urgent and desperate in prayer for people around us. Especially, for the issue of their repentance and salvation. Typically, desperate times move us to prayer – calling on the Lord for provision, for Him to move.
For many people around us, the times are uncertain. As a child of God, we know our lives are in His hands. We trust Him and know He is in control. He also has greater purposes for mankind – the salvation of their souls. With this in mind, would you take intentional time to make a list of the people in your life who are not walking with Jesus? That means family, friends, and neighbors. I am asking that you actually make a list.
Begin praying for them with intention. Here is a suggestion how to pray for them (put their name in the blank):
Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT) “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!”
- Thank God for His sovereignty over all creation, including _____________.
- Thank God for His provision for the forgiveness of _____________ sin through the shed blood of Jesus.
- Ask God for His mercy and grace to be extended to _____________ for the sin that has grieved His heart.
- Ask God to remove the scales and blindness from ___________ eyes so that they can realize the sinful condition of their life.
- Ask God to open ____________ ears and heart to hear the message of the gospel.
- Ask God to break down any obstacles that the enemy has put up that have kept ___________ from knowing and trusting the truth of the gospel.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin, to repentance, and lead ____________ into faith in the Jesus Christ as their Savior.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NLT) “We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”
Prayer is the primary work of God’s people. Are you doing the work of God’s people?
Pray with me…. people need the Savior.
Walking with you,
Pastor Brian