Praying for Germany: A 365 Day Global Prayer Journey - May 31 (Day 152)

Today we continue to pray for Germany. Please review pages 359-364.

As in most countries, the history of the church in Germany is a mixture of faithfulness and compromise. Martin Luther hailed from Germany, and a strong Biblical faith existed here through the Reformation. Yet some of the very teachings of Luther (lack of connecting obedient responses internally with obedient actions externally), combined with theological schools that challenged Biblical inspiration and a weakneed state-funded church, led to compromise under the Nazis. Some studies estimate that 80% of the churches aligned with Hitler; the roughly 20% of pastors that comprised the "Confessing Movement" were persecuted and often killed. (For more on the German church during the Nazi era, check out the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a key Confessing pastor.)

With a religious heritage like that, it's not surprising that succeeding generations would view the church with skepticism. Anytime Christians lose their prophetic voice, aligning with the culture (political or religious) over Scripture, any fruit that is produced will tend to rot. As we pray for the German church today, let's focus on asking God to tear down the strongholds left from this era, and rebuild the church to be a biblical, loving, prophetic witness. Let's ask God for a new Reformation in Germany.

My prayer for today: Oh Lord God, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power. Nothing is too difficult for You! Thank You for the growing prayer movements and unity within Germany. Thank You for new ways of doing church that are leading to a rediscovery of the basics of evangelism, outreach, and mission. Lord, we pray for the church in Germany to be a bold and faithful witness. We pray against the strongholds the enemy left in place after World War II. We ask that Biblical church leaders will boldly proclaim the power of the Gospel and the truth of Scripture. We pray that You will restore the church to its place as a counter-culture. Give them wisdom what to accept, what to transform, and what to reject from their culture. We pray for the church to be once again seen as the relevant voice of truth that You called it to be. Thank You for You power. Bring a Reformation to Germany again Lord. Pour out Your Spirit upon this land anew. In Jesus' name, amen.