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Pray Now! But How?
Jon Burgess32They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Mark 14:32-34
Jesus invited His disciples into the dark night of his soul. While He wrestled with the reality of the Cross and the torture he must endure to save all mankind...mankind was sleeping on the job. He just needed them to contend with him in prayer for one hour. He was transparent with them about the anguish of the moment, but they didn't understand. They didn't understand how important this moment was. For if they had, they would have been on their knees praying right alongiside their Savior.
Do we understand how important this moment is? If we are honest, how many of us have wished we could just hibernate until this election was over? Actually, hiberation would be a much better choice then the accusation that so many Christ followers have given themselves to during this polarizing election process. There is however a better choice then either of these. Instead of sleeping through this or yelling through this, let's pray through this. How do we pray when there is seemingly no way for people of faith to win in our ballot choices? We pray God's will! Not our opinion. God's will. Not our political persuasion. God's will. How do we pray God's will? God's Word. Plain and simple.
The 4 X 4 Prayer Challenge
Would you join me in praying four different verses over our country for the next four days leading up to November 8th? Rest assured you can pray with full confidence and no fear when you are praying God's Word!
Friday, November 4th:
II Chronicles 7:14 -Pray for a spirit of humility throughout the people of God that would move us to repent and pray!
Acts 17:30 - Pray for repentance for yourself and for our nation.
Psalm 32:6-7 - Pray that Christians will be motivated to pray faithfully for this election and that the Lord would deliver us from the wrong leaders.
Proverbs 16:13 - Pray that our nation will listen to the truth and not be led astray.
Saturday, November 5th:
Psalm 125 - Pray that those who trust in the Lord will not be shaken.
Psalm 86:14-17 - Pray that the Lord would defeat those who have no regard for Him in this election.
II Kings 13:16 - Pray that the Lord would put His hands on the person of His choice for president (and their team) and guide them in this election.
Luke 12:54-57 – Pray that our new President and our nation will be discerning and do what is right.
Sunday, November 6th
Psalm 16:7-8 - Pray that the Lord would give wise counsel and guidance to His choice for president in this campaign.
Proverbs 1:5-6 - Pray that our new President will listen with discernment and receive wise counsel.
John 16:33 - Pray that the person of God's choice would be given wisdom and ability from the Lord to overcome any obstacle or difficulty during this campaign.
Philippians 4:13 - Pray that the Lord's choice for President will have special strength and unusual ability from God.
Monday, November 7th
Psalm 18:32-36 - Pray that the Lord would arm the person of His choice with strength; would guide them in battle (this election); and would sustain them and give him victory.
Hebrews 11:32-34 – Pray that God's choice could, through faith, persevere and maintain their courage throughout this election.
2 Corinthians 12:9 – Pray that the Lord would empower and enable our new President in any area of weakness.
Habakkuk 1:5 and 3:2 - Pray that the Lord would do something that would utterly amaze us and give His servant victory.
Tuesday, November 8th
Pray. Then get out and vote!
Lord, I pray that the command of 1 Timothy 2 would awaken all Your sleeping saints and move us to move forward on our knees:
1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth...8Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 1 Timothy 2:1-4,8
