March 1, 2021 Prayer - For people considering running for elected office

Ruling God,

With our mouths we extol you, Lord, and praise you in the great throng of worshipers.  You stand with those in need and save us according to your unfailing love.  Your world is a beautiful dance of order, beauty, consistency, and creativity.  Thank you that you have included government in your plans for order and you have set into place civic authorities to help keep that order.  Today we pray that, as people are prayerfully considering running for political offices in the upcoming months and years, you would cause righteous, godly, Spirit-filled men and women to step out in courage and serve the people around them. We pray for a spirit of humility in those who are considering running for offices; may they not be motivated by ego or lust for power, but may they hear from you and walk in your Good Way - your paths of Peace.  Your Word says we should not give to dogs what is sacred or throw our pearls to swine, so we pray you would thwart the efforts of anyone who should not seek office. We pray that you give your candidates campaign leaders, consultants, and others who are gifted in strategy and fundraising, but especially have hearts to serve you and the people of this state. May those considering running for office be completely trustworthy, with no corruption or negligence. We know that you work through "jars of clay" leaders who are fallible, but we pray that the life of Jesus would be manifest in their thoughts, words, and deeds. We believe that you came to give us your abundant life, so we pray for that Life to be poured out in those who seek political office - in their families, friendships, businesses, and service to others. We choose momentum instead of inertia, righteousness instead of ungodliness, and hope instead of mourning. May godly men and women rise up to seize this moment, face the enemies of this nation, and move forward in hope in You and the victory you give us in Christ Jesus, in whom we pray, Amen.

Help me, Lord my God;

    save me according to your unfailing love.

Let them know that it is your hand,

    that you, Lord, have done it.

While they curse, may you bless;

    may those who attack me be put to shame,

    but may your servant rejoice.

May my accusers be clothed with disgrace

    and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord;

    in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him.

For he stands at the right hand of the needy,

   to save their lives from those who would condemn them." (Psalm 109:26-31 NIV)

"Every person must obey the leaders of the land. There is no power given but from God, and all leaders are allowed by God." (Romans 13:1 NLV)

"Be a good citizen. All governments are under God. Insofar as there is peace and order, it’s God’s order. So live responsibly as a citizen...God also has an interest in keeping order, and he uses [civil authorities] to do it. " (Romans 13:1, 4 MSG)

"At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent."  (Daniel 6:4 NIV)

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces." (Matthew 7:6 NIV)

"Stand at the crossroads and look;
    ask for the ancient paths,
ask where the good way is, and walk in it,
    and you will find rest for your souls." (Jeremiah 6:16 NIV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 NKJV)

February 27, 2021 - Prayer for our State's Businesses, Families, Legislators, their Staff, and the State Budget

Awe-inspiring God,

You are great and glorious in power, mighty in miracles.  Your enemies tremble and they surrender and bow down before you.  All the earth - all of this nation - all of this state - all of this county - all of this township - bow down to worship you, to sing your glories forever!  You multiply miracles for your people.   Today we ask you to multiply miracles for this state.  We come to you in humility asking you to heal this state from the demonic spirits of oppression and fear that have been upon her.  Heal the small businesses in this state that have been devastated by the lockdowns.  Heal the people that have been deeply impacted by Covid-19.  Heal the families that have been severely beaten down by the governmental regulations that have led to increases in business failures, poor educational outcomes, increase in addictions, decrease in medical, dental and mental health treatments, and a general feeling of despair.  In the name of Jesus we bind the spirits of despair and fear and send them far away from this state.  God, many who work in state government - especially staff in legislators' offices - are enduring horrendous frustration, anger, and even verbal abuse from constituents.  We pray today that you would break the spirit of anger in this state.  Instead, replace it with a spirit of peace, goodwill, gentleness, patience and kindness, especially as citizens interact with each other.   We pray that the staff and the legislators they work for would be guided with wisdom and grace and that their families and businesses will be untouched by the disruption of politics. In this current season as they work toward a state budget for next year, we pray that their funding decisions would be based on your wisdom and discernment. Give them guidance to make choices that are financially sound and reflect your godly ideals and policies. Give them ears to hear each other, patience to negotiate a good, equitable, and financially responsible budget, and may no ideological bickering or blockages derail the process. We are your jars of clay interceding for this state.  She is afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, but you are the God of Hope, Healing, Restoration, and Miracles.   Pour out your love and grace here today, we pray in Jesus's name.  Amen.  

For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power!

We’ve never seen anything like him!
Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.
No wonder they all surrender and bow before you!
4 All the earth will bow down to worship;
all the earth will sing your glories forever!
Pause in his presence
5 Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done;
it will take your breath away!
He multiplies miracles for his people!  (Psalm 66:3-5 TPT)

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

February 25, 2021 Prayer - Break unrighteousness & despair in this state

Miracle-Working God,

You are great and glorious, mighty in miracles!  You have done marvelous, incredible things for your people, and we surrender and bow before you in worship.  You are a great God whose Love we can never lose, no matter what troubles, pressures, persecutions and problems come to us.  Thank you that when your people who are called by your name humble themselves and pray, you heal our land.  While there are many unbelievers in this state, we stand in faith that we have more than enough godly intercessors to turn this state toward you.  Today, we, your people, cry out in humility for mercy, justice, hope, and healing for this state.  It is one heap of a hot mess.  The spiritual oppression that came a year ago with Covid-19 has resulted in a general spirit of despair among her people and a great deal of spiritual malfeasance in her leadership.   Today we pray you break the root of evil in every level of her governments, media, business, health services, or education that would seek power and control over the citizens.  We pray you would shine Light into places of darkness and corruption in these systems.  We forbid the spirit of lust for power and, instead, release spirits of Freedom, Truth, Justice, and Peace upon this state.   We forbid all spirits seeking to impose despair on these citizens; you will NOT have this state!  We release overwhelming power of Holy Spirit to bring an overwhelming sense of HOPE that will confuse the enemy of our souls and point people toward you.  Meet their physical, financial, and relational needs, and may your Church in this state be loving, caring, hope-filled, and bold with the Good News of the Abundant Life of Christ.  You have set us free from fear and death so we refuse the yoke of this spirit of despair on the people of this state.  We pray and declare that your HOPE, Justice, Grace, and Order will win, and godlessness and despair will lose, in the name of Jesus. AMEN!

"For he’s the awe-inspiring God, great and glorious in power!

We’ve never seen anything like him!
Mighty in miracles, you cause your enemies to tremble.
No wonder they all surrender and bow before you!
4 All the earth will bow down to worship;
all the earth will sing your glories forever!
Pause in his presence
5 Everyone will say, “Come and see the incredible things God has done;
it will take your breath away!
He multiplies miracles for his people!"  (Psalm 66:3-5 TPT)

"Who could ever separate us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations, dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love...." Romans 8:35 TPT)

"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV)

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. " (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 ESV)

"I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” (Matthew 16:19 TPT)

"Break the wicked right arms, break all the evil left arms. Search and destroy every sign of crime. God’s grace and order wins; godlessness loses." (Psalm 10:15-16 MSG)

"A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of." (John 10:10 MSG)

"For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. " (Galatians 5:1 NRSV)