Continuing the Battle for Christ – Week 17

How should we respond to persecution?

“I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting, men may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things” (Isaiah 45:5-7 NIV84).

Pray that those who deny Christ and persecute believers will come to know the one true God who causes the sun to rise and set on them even though they deny Him daily.

How should we pray for the lost?

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ… ⁵Be wise… make the most of every opportunity” (Colossians 4:3a, 5a NIV84).

How many of us regret missed opportunities to share Christ with those we love?  I know that I do.  Pray that as God opens doors for us, we will be bold and wise, making the most of every opportunity.  

Leadership Prayer Focus This Week: Appellate and Supreme Court Justices

“Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts (Amos 5:15a NIV84). “These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other and render true and sound judgment in your courts” (Zechariah 8:16 NIV84).

Truth, justice, and honor must begin in our legal system.  The Supreme Court, as well as both the Federal and state appellate courts, is tasked with reviewing lower court decisions to ensure that the law is applied fairly and correctly.  Often, their decisions will affect not only the parties to the case but also the entire country. 

Pray that: They will seek God’s guidance in the decisions they make.

               They will set aside partisan politics and base their decisions on the law.

They will be men and women of honesty and integrity.

               They will give impartial and just verdicts in all cases.

For all our leaders, pray that if they do not already know Christ, they will accept Him as Lord.  For those who do know Christ, pray that they will stand firm on His Truth and His Word, never compromising it or minimizing it.

“Pray continuously” (I Thessalonians 5:17 NIV84)