Thursday, October 19, 2006

A prayer for your part of the world

When I read Isa. 9:1-7 (see below) this morning in my quiet time God prompted me to pray the following prayer for those nations that are still in anguish, darkness, and battle. Many of you serve in such lands and though I won't mention the names here, please know that God prompted me to pray specifically for several of your nations. When you see the oppression around you please know that God is linking hearts here with your hearts there to pray for His kingdom to come and His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, in the countries that you serve so faithfully.

My prayer:

Lord, please let these countries be delivered from gloom and anguish. Let the people groups there who have been walking in darkness see Your great light. Shine the light of Jesus, the Light of the world, on those who dwell in deep darkness in those countries. Let them know true joy for the first time. Break every vestige of bondage and free them from the cycle of violence.

Oh Lord, Jesus is the child born "to us" - and we want to see them embrace Him and realize He came for them too. Let these people know Him as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace they so desperately need. Let them understand a measure of what it means for ultimate authority to be on His shoulders. Set them free Lord, set them free.

Your kingdom come, Your will be done, in the precious name of Jesus.

Isa. 9:1-7 (ESV):
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darknesshave seen a great light;those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,on them has light shined.3 You have multiplied the nation;you have increased its joy;they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest,as they are glad when they divide the spoil.4 For the yoke of his burden,and the staff for his shoulder,the rod of his oppressor,you have broken as on the day of Midian.5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in bloodwill be burned as fuel for the fire.6 For to us a child is born,to us a son is given;and the government shall be upon his shoulder,and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.7 Of the increase of his government and of peacethere will be no end,on the throne of David and over his kingdom,to establish it and to uphold itwith justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

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