A Call To Pray For Godly Leaders

“I will sing of your love and justice, Lord.  I will praise you with songs.  I will be careful to live a blameless life–when will you come to help me?  I will lead a life of integrity in my own home.  I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.  I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them.  I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.  I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.  I will not endure conceit and pride.  I will search for faithful people to be my companions.  Only those who are above reproach will be allowed to serve me.  I will not allow deceivers to serve in my house, and liars will not stay in my presence.  My daily task will be to ferret out the wicked and free the city of the Lord from their grip.” (Psalm 101)

“Everyone must submit to governing authorities.  For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.  So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.  For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong.  Would you like to live without fear of the authorities?  Do what is right and they will honor you.  The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good.  But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you.  They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong.  So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.  Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons.  For government workers need to be paid.  They are serving God in what they do.  Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.” (Romans 13:1-7)

“Some Pharisees and teachers of religious law now arrived from Jerusalem to see Jesus.  They asked him, ‘Why do your disciples disobey our age-old tradition?  For they ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat.’ Jesus replied, ‘And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?  For instance, God says, ‘Honor your father and mother,’ and ‘Anyone who speaks disrespectfully of father and mother must be put to death.’ But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you.  For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’ In this way, you say they don’t need to honor their parents.  And so you cancel the word of God for the sake of your own tradition.  You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.  Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. ‘Listen,’ he said, ‘and try to understand.  It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.’ Then the disciples came to him and asked, ‘Do you realize you offended the Pharisees  by what you just said?’ Jesus replied, ‘Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be uprooted, so ignore them.  They are blind guides leading the blind, and if one blind person guides another, they will both fall into a ditch.'” (Matthew 15:1-14)

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people.  Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them.  Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.  This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

“Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.  He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.  He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness, though he is surrounded by light.  I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors, for you have given me wisdom and strength.  You have told me what we asked of you and revealed to us what the king demanded.” (Daniel 2:20-23)

King David spelled out what the attributes of a godly leader are:

–One who is careful to lead a blameless life.

–One who leads a life of integrity, not just in the public eye, but at home.

–One who refuses to look at anything vile and vulgar.

–One who hates crooked dealings and has nothing to do with them.

–One who rejects perverse ideas and stays away from every evil.

–One who does not tolerate people who slander their neighbors.

–One who will not endure conceit and pride.

–One who searches for faithful people to be his/her companions.

–One who places in their cabinets and entourage only those who are above reproach.

–One who will not allow deceivers to serve in his/her house, and who does not allow liars to stay in his/her presence.

–One whose daily task it is to ferret out the wicked and free the city/country from their grip.

Sound too good to be true?  In today’s world of politics, where the name of the game seems to be achieving power at any cost, finding a leader or candidate for leader with godly attributes often seems as likely as finding a unicorn.

And yet, we are to pray for exactly this so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives, marked by godliness and dignity.  God is in control of who is in authority over us.  And we know that His will is accomplished through our prayers.

So are we bringing the world’s leaders before the Holy Throne of God Almighty as party of our daily prayers, thanking Him for them, interceding on their behalf, asking God to accomplish His will in them and through them, asking God to give them wisdom and discernment in governing?  We must pray for them and ask the Holy Spirit to guide us in our prayers for them.

It is not God’s will that corruption, lawlessness, greed, power-lust, deception, slander, oppression of any kind, persecution, crooked dealings such as bribery, embezzlement, fraud and blackmail would run rampant throughout the earth’s high places of authority. 

It is not God’s will that the spiritually blind would lead their people by the masses straight into a spiritual ditch, and yet, everywhere we look this is what is happening. Sound and righteous laws are being over-ridden or re-written to fit the new modern age of iniquitous immorality.  Those who attempt to stand up for righteousness are labeled as intolerant and, in many cases, ‘terrorists’.  We live in an age where good is called ‘evil’ and evil is called ‘good’.

It is the responsibility of the Christian to come before our Father in heaven and intercede for all people everywhere, especially kings and all who are in authority.  We should be praying not just for our presidents/prime ministers and their immediate teams, but also for judges, government officials, police, military authorities, teachers, corporate leaders, ministers/preachers, and those who labor in the Gospel, that they all would carry out God’s will this day.

Only the silence of God’s people, who have been entrusted with the enormous responsibility to pray His will, allows such evil and wickedness to run rampant and unchecked, for God’s will is centered on justice and righteousness in every way, from the greatest to the least among us all.

Let us live our personal lives with integrity and a clear conscience in all things, thereby shining our lives as living testimonies to Christ Jesus.  And let us retreat into our quiet rooms of prayer every day to be alone with God, praising Him, thanking Him, bringing all of our cares and concerns to Him and interceding for all people everywhere, especially our leaders, that they may govern and lead us in righteousness.

The Lord’s Fields — Unreached People Groups

“And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all people will hear it; and then the end will come.”  (Matthew 24:14)

“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.‘” (Matthew 9:37-38)

Below is a list of some nations that are in desperate need of prayer.  Please consider praying for these nations and ask the Holy Spirit of God to guide you.  Without a doubt, if the workers of the fields are few, then those praying for the workers are even fewer.

If you decide to pray, please establish a length of time for yourself that is acceptable to you and commit to praying for these people (not the duration of the prayer itself, as the Lord taught us not to babble on); commit to a week or a month, etc of praying daily for these unreached people groups.

–Afghanistan, 71 unreached people groups

–Bhutan, 32 unreached people groups

–China, 465 unreached people groups

–India, 2,200 unreached people groups

–Iraq, 21 unreached people groups

–Libya, 140 unreached tribes and clans

–Oman, 25 unreached people groups

–Sudan, 137 unreached people groups

–Vietnam, 63 unreached people groups

Some things to pray for in Jesus’ Name:

–For God to send more workers into his fields, specifically into the fields of the countries listed above, and that God’s Word will reach those who seek Him.  Pray for God’s Kingdom to come soon.

–For God to destroy the works of Satan in the hearts and minds of the people and the land and that God would not let them yield to temptation, but deliver them from the evil one.

–For Judgment on Satan.  Ask God to curse Satan afresh as he did in the Garden of Eden, so that he cannot do as he pleases.  Ask God to place Satan again under the power of the cross so as to immobilize him.

–For God to break the evil spirits of false religions and idols in these lands (Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism are all hostile to the truth of Christ) and set up His Kingdom.

–For the precious blood of Jesus to answer whatever comes from Satan in these places.

–For the hearts and minds of the people to be prepared by the Holy Spirit and made able to receive and accept the truth of Christ.

–For God’s will to be done and that the truth of the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ brings light to the dark land.  Declare that Christ disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities and shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:13-15)

–For the protection of the workers the Lord sends and that they will boldly proclaim the truth of Christ and salvation

–For church planting and growth so that believers can fellowship with each other and pray together for their nation.  For a spirit of evangelism among the local Christian population so that they will desire to share their testimony with others

–For Bible distribution and Christian literature, and for trained pastors to shepherd and minister to the new believers.

–Pray also for the protection of yourself (health, mind, time, spiritual life), your loved ones and your household and anything else that God brings to your attention. Pray that God forbid Satan from harassing you in any way.  Pray Daily for this protection, as what you are doing for God’s Kingdom through your prayers directly destroys Satan’s kingdom and you will be targeted by the rulers and authorities of the spiritual realm in retaliation for your work. Be ready. Prayerfully seek God in this matter.

 

 

Turkey — .2% Christians, Prayer Needed

“He said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few.  So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.'” (Matthew 9:37-38)

From the Voice of the Martyrs website:

Category: Hostile Nation, Religion: Muslim 96.6%, Christian 0.2%, Ideology: Islam
Head of State: President Abdullah Gul

“Turkey has experienced an ongoing political struggle between secularists, urban moderates and rural Islamists vying for government control. The country has been officially secular since 1924, but 97 percent of the population is Muslim.

Questions about the role of religion in society dominate public discourse. A parliamentary commission is at work revising the national constitution, which many believe will support enhanced human rights, including religious freedom. Nonetheless, the Turkish government maintains absolute control over all aspects of religion in the public sphere. Turkey is among the countries most affected by the civil war in Syria. By mid-October 2012, the number of Syrian refugees hosted by Turkey numbered around 100,000. Following a cross-border mortar attack from Syria that killed five Turkish citizens, the Turkish parliament authorized the use of military force against Syria.

Despite government claims and a constitutional guarantee of religious freedom, the Turkish government denies full legal recognition to religious minorities, including Christians. Non-Muslims are denied the right to train clergy, offer religious education and own and maintain places of worship. Conversion is not illegal, but converts have been charged with “insulting Turkishness.” Christians frequently experience discrimination, slander, personal attacks and attacks against churches. The Turkish media sometimes portray Christians as foreign intelligence agents intent on undermining the Turkish state. VOM supports the growing persecuted Church and provides Christian radio programs in Turkey.”

What to pray for this week for Turkey (from the “Pray Today” calendar published by Voice Of The Martyrs):

Above all, pray for God’s will to be done in Turkey, that the Lord rebuke Satan and destroy his works in the hearts and minds of the Turkish people.  Pray that God will replace Satan’s lies with the Truth of Salvation through Christ Jesus and prepare the people to be able to receive and accept this amazing truth so they may be saved.  Pray that God will send his laborers throughout the land of Turkey and fulfill his will in the land.  May God’s Kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Specifically:

Pray for Hussein, a 9 year-old Christian convert from Islam who was beaten for his faith.

That many Muslims will question Islam, seek truth and come to faith in Christ.

That Turkish Christians will disprove the idea that true Turks must be Muslim.

For Pastor Semir Serkek and others who boldly persevere even after being attacked.

Praise God that his work cannot be thwarted, even by new restrictions on missionary visas.

For Turkish Christian television programs, which are broadcast in Turkey, Europe and the Middle East.

For VOM’s assistance to a pastor and church in a difficult area.

For President Abdullah Gul, that God will place the fear of the Lord in his heart and give him a tender conscience to the will of God and to the followers of Jesus in Turkey.  Pray for his salvation and wisdom and discernment in governing his country and people.

 

Scriptural Prayer for Your Nation

“Oh Lord, you are a great and awesome God! You always fulfill your covenant and keep your promises of unfailing love to those who love you and obey your commands.  But we have sinned and done wrong.  We have rebelled against you and scorned your commands and regulations.  We have refused to listen to your servants the prophets, who spoke on your authority to our kings and princes and ancestors and to all the people of the land.  Lord, you are in the right; but as you see, our faces are covered with shame.  This is true of all of us, including the people of Judah and Jerusalem and all Israel, scattered near and far, wherever you have driven us because of our disloyalty to you.  O Lord, we and our kings, princes and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you.  But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.  We have not obeyed the Lord our God, for we have not followed the instructions he gave us through his servants the prophets.  All Israel has disobeyed your instruction and turned away, refusing to listen to your voice.  So now the solemn curses and judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured down on us because of our sin.  You have kept your word and done to us and our rulers exactly as you warned.  Never has there been such a disaster as happened in Jerusalem.  Every curse written against us in the Law of Moses has come true.  Yet we have refused to seek mercy from the Lord our God by turning from our sins and recognizing his truth.  Therefore, the Lord has brought up on the disaster he prepared.  The Lord our God was right to do all of these thing, for we did not obey him.  Oh Lord our God, you brought lasting honor to your name by rescuing your people from Egypt in a great display of power.  But we have sinned and are full of wickedness.  In view of all your faithful mercies, Lord, please turn your furious anger away from your city, Jerusalem, your holy mountain.  All the neighboring nations mock Jerusalem and your people because of our sins and the sins of our ancestors.  O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead.  For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary.  O my God, lean down and listen to me.  Open your eyes and see our despair.  See how your city, the city that bears your name, lies in ruins.  We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy.  O Lord, hear.  O Lord, forgive.  O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.  (Daniel 9:4-19)

The Lord’s people cover the whole earth and live in every nation.  We are Israel.  We bear His name.  If we would humble ourselves before the Lord our God, confess our sins to him, pray on behalf of our nation and ask for forgiveness, our nations may yet be forgiven and healed.  Daniel did this for Jerusalem and the Lord heard him and answered!  We can pray it too, as it was so powerful that it is in God’s eternal living Word.  Pray it for your nation when you find yourself burdened with the need to pray for your leaders and people.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him. (Psalm 24:1)

Nigeria — A Divided Country

Prayer Needed For Nigeria and its President, Goodluck Jonathan.

From Voice of the Martyrs http://www.persecution.com:

“Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, is divided between a Christian culture in the south and a radical Islamic culture in the north that is characterized by massive riots, bombings and a plan to create an Islamic state.   Since 1999, when military rule ended and one-third of Nigeria’s states implemented Islamic law, sectarian violence has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths and hundreds of thousands of people displaced. Greed and corruption consume all levels of government in this oil-rich nation, which faces the growing challenge of division along religious and ethnic lines. Nigeria has been designated a Country of Particular Concern by the USCIRF since 2009.”

“In 2009 the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, an al-Qaida ally, vowed to rid the north of all non-Muslim influence, including Christians. Since then, more than 3,000 people have been killed.”

Category: Hostile Nation, Religion: Christian 51.3%, Muslim 45.1%, Ideology: Islam, Head of State: President Goodluck Jonathan

The World CIA  Fact Book lists Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan as Christian.  Though Christians currently outnumber Muslims in the nation, Boko Haram, an al-Quaida ally, are slaughtering Christians in northern Nigeria everywhere they can find them.  President Jonathan not only has to deal with greed and corruption at all levels of government, but also with the civil religious war of Muslims against Christians.  He needs our prayers.

Pray for:

President Goodluck Jonathan, for a sensitivity to the will of God and for conviction and wisdom in how he governs the country.

Christians in northern Nigeria, for their protection and a boldness to proclaim the truth of Jesus Christ to their persecutors.  

The Muslim persecutors, for conviction, eyes to see and hears to hear the Good News about Jesus Christ so they may be saved.

Voice of the Martyrs ministry, which actively provides tools for evangelism, medical care for riot victims and job training for widows and other affected Christians.

Prayer Needed For Those In The War Zone

“Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you…” (1 Samuel 12:23a)

“We pray for strength for those who are fighting the good fight; who are beaten and murdered for the faith that we claim.  We pray for endurance, that our brothers and sisters facing these hardships might finish the race that has been placed before them.  We pray for courage for those who are stepping into this war zone; they will keep their faith in spite of the fears that they face.  For their selflessness inspires us.  It inspires us to accept our calling to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth. But we do not only pray for those who are persecuted, but for those who persecute us.” (backlotmedia)

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

Somalia–The Most Corrupt Country In The World; 0.3% Christian population

Prayer Needed.  Christians are being hunted in Somalia.

“Abide in Me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

From www.persecution.com — “Please pray that suffering in the region will subside and that millions will find eternal peace by abiding in God’s best gift–Jesus, the true vine!” 

Religion: Muslim 99.7%, Christian 0.3%
Ideology: Islam

“Somalia is second only to North Korea as the world’s worst persecutor of Christians.”

“Somalia has a history of fierce persecution against Christians. In 2009, the parliament approved implementation of Shariah law nationwide.

The government has also banned proselytizing. Christian converts from Islam are estimated at fewer than 200 people. Most Somali Christians are secret believers who worship in house churches.

The radical Islamic group al- Shabab has vowed to eradicate all Somali Christians, and they have especially targeted converts from Islam. The group has executed dozens of Christians in the past five years. In February 2012, al-Shabab leaders announced their alliance with al-Qaida. There have been several instances of al-Shabab adherents targeting Somali Christians across borders in countries like Kenya.

Conversion to Christianity is not illegal in Somalia, but it is socially unacceptable.

In addition to the Islamic extremists, persecutors include family members, clan members and local administrators. Even Somaliland has imprisoned some Christians and expelled others. In 2012 VOM (Voice of the Martyrs Ministry) helped evangelists start small businesses so they could support themselves and their families while sharing the gospel. VOM also provides safe houses for persecuted Muslim converts.”

Nepal — 2.9% Christian population

“You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.  I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”  (Isaiah 49:6)

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles.  Praise him, all you people of the earth.”  (Romans 15:11)

From the Persecution.com website: 

“Nepal is one of the world’s poorest nations. Once the world’s only Hindu kingdom, the nation is now officially a secular democracy. After a decade-long conflict between government forces and Maoist combatants, the two groups signed a peace accord in 2006. Politicians have yet to agree on a new constitution, and in May 2012 the national assembly was dissolved, leaving the country without a legislature. The Maoist Party is in control of the government. Religion remains extremely important in Nepal. Converts to Christianity become social outcasts, and those charged with proselytism risk fines, a three-year imprisonment or expulsion. There are an estimated 850,000 Christians in Nepal. Most of the persecution against Christians comes from militant Hindus and local Buddhist leaders. Marxism is also a growing danger for Christians. VOM sponsors the distribution of Christian literature and supports the rebuilding of destroyed churches.”

Category: Hostile Nation Religion: Hindu 75.0%, Christian 2.9% Ideology: Hinduism/Militant Marxism Head of State: President Ram Baran Yadav

The Voice of the Martyrs ministry is going into Nepal, sharing the truth of salvation of Jesus Christ and embracing the people in one of the poorest countries on earth.  There are at least two operations going on at this time and we can be a part of them.

1)  The Bibles Unbound program prints Bibles in the native language of the country and sends them to specific people who have asked for their own Bible.  There are currently over 9,000 people in Nepal waiting for a Bible.  http://www.biblesunbound.com/qry/mc_home.taf?_function=detail&_optn_id=331  NOTE: the website defaults to “ongoing contribution”.  If you want to contribute only once to this operation, you must choose the “one-time contribution” option.

2) VOM is also sponsoring two other operations for the people of Nepal at this time: a Christmas Care Pack for Children operation and a Village Outreach Pack operation.  The details are here: https://secure.persecution.com/email/nepalchristmasgift.aspx?source=EMAIL112

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