As we wake up to week 4 of our targeted prayer for events going on around us, I asked the Lord what should our prayer focus be this week. There are a few of them this week:
#1 Ferguson, MO – I am deeply distressed by the event that happened there and its aftermath. A family is grieving the loss of a young man and a community is torn apart because of his death.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:24-25 NKJV). One thing Satan is very good at, because we’ve allowed him to be, is division. Race has been an ongoing point of contention within this country, and an area Satan has exploited exponentially; politics being the other. Everything else overlaps these. Ferguson, MO has experienced a wound and is, understandably, enraged. With more details emerging about the altercation between Michael Brown and the officer, as well as the autopsy results, tempers are running hotter and rising faster than before. Attempts at peaceful means have turned violent, and the police feel they have few options to peacefully react.
What I would like us to focus on is the spirit behind the situation. As intercessors, we have discernment and the ability to pray the strongholds down and the chains broken. We are the voices crying out on behalf of others, bringing their needs before the Lord and imploring Him to act. Let us rise up and bring this community before Jesus today. He is the Light that will penetrate the darkness suffocating and breaking apart a community, He is the Spirit that will blow the smoke and dust away from a fractured community and He is the one who will bring healing. Let us pray for His intervention, for His SHALOM to be upon this community, for Him to bring justice. Let us pray for the Church in the community to continue to be strong in the face of this adversity and for them to be His hands, feet, salt and light. Let us pray for the police force, that they seek and use wisdom, thinking before acting and considering consequences of their actions. And, let us pray for the family of Michael Brown – comfort, healing, peace and strength.
#2 Spirit of gratitude to wipe away the spirit of needy-greed The Lord called to mind that this country needs a sweeping heart of gratitude. We’ve been marketed to the point where we are no longer content with what we have, we simply must have the next greatest thing. The Lord is saying we must get back to being grateful for what we have if we desire to move forward. He provides all we need, we must be gratefully content. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
#3 Afflicted Intercessors There are many fellow intercessors throughout the Body who have been hit with affliction and sickness. Let us join together to pray for each other – for healing, strength, stamina and relief. Let us pray for the root cause of affliction be revealed and dealt with accordingly, and for others to rise up into their intercessory calling. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all (Psalm 34:19). Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8).
If you can, fast today and begin praying at 7pm. Thank you for embarking on this journey with me, I’m excited to see and hear what God is doing as a result of our intercession.
Shalom ♥