I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:1-4
The thought of prayer could feel cumbersome or tiring when you do not really understand the magnitude of it importance. The opening scripture in 1 timothy 2 said, FIRST of all, prayers should be made for ALL men; that includes the people in leadership and those at the hem of affairs. Why? So that we can live a peaceful and quiet life. So, the responsibility of having peace in our society is largely dependent on how much you interceded.
Prayer is the way to connect to God with our spirits and the effective way to stand in the gap for people who you could not have otherwise reached out to or are physically impossible to get to, at the time. This is especially true at this challenging time of a global pandemic when there is less physical contact. People are dying, some are in pains, some are mourning the loss of loved ones, some are confused, some are in doubt of the existence of a God who could step in and save the day, some are straight out livid against the thought of God, some are losing their mind, and some, their faith, the world is hurting...and you can't reach out. As much as you desperately want to, you physically can't.
It could be quite frustrating for you to just sit and watch your world hurt without being able to help. BUT, thankfully, there is one thing you can do; and that is to pray. you can reach out to a hurting world in prayer, in fact, that is a quicker way to set things in order and a more effective way to get to people because you engage the Holy Spirit who has unhindered access to places where you wouldn't have had access to, and bring a quicker answer than your presence could have done. Also, James 5: 16 said that the heartfelt persistent prayer of a believer can accomplish much. Prayer is simply having a deep and connected conversation with God on issues you are concerned about. So don't stress the thought, just get on your knees or whatever position you're okay with and have that conversation. It is so flexible that you can even talk to him on the go; while you're busy at work or around the house.
- Pray for peace in panic times;
- Pray for fear to be distilled in the hearts of men;
- Pray for people to come to the knowledge of the truth;
- Pray for preservation of lives;
- Pray for those who have not embraced Jesus and the gospel.
- Pray for those who are in doubt.
- Pray for the healing of the nations.
JUST PRAY.
As VERY IMPORTANT as it is that people come to embrace God and turn to him, it is also worth acknowledging that because of gift of free-will that God has given everyone, they may choose not to; and even though that is risky, you can't force them. So, again the most effective way to get to their hearts for a change is in prayers. In these times where there is excessive fear, doubt, mistrust, and transfer of aggression to God, it may be difficult to convince someone whose mind is made up or biased, about God. So the only way, to get through impossible situations and confused hearts, is by through prayers. So, Pray!
Jesus gave us a starter on how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, and prayed for us in John 17. So if you are looking for how to start, you can start by praying to the the Father in the name of Jesus, using these words :
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
God bless you!
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