What a blessing it is to read of Benin - of its openness and peaceful leadership transitions. While there is much need for prayer in this country, it's a beautiful reminder that as we walk across a continent or a region, the broad brush strokes we saw early in our journey take on nuances and details that are rich and lovely. Please read about Benin on pages 147-149.
Today's prayer point #2 uses the phrase "structures of sin". If you've never heard that phrase before, you might be a little confused at this point. "Structures of sin" is simply a way of referring to those formal and informal systems of society - the "structures" - that allow sin to flourish. While we are all called to fight sin in our own lives on a continual basis, and corporately within the body of Christ, sometimes we are also called to fight against sin within society - not merely the sin of individuals, but the structures of sin that allow that individual sin to flourish. This is why Amos prayed for justice that would flow over Israel, and why the authors ask us to pray for justice in many of the countries we will read about. Until the root causes of sin - in individual hearts and in society - are eradicated, patterns will continue to repeat themselves. Let's pray for Benin to experience that freedom today!
My prayer for today: Lord, Thank You or what You are doing in Benin - the free and fair election of a Christian leader; the freedom of worship and ministry; the growth of churches. I pray for the continuation of these trends and for the president to be filled with wisdom, courage, and integrity. Help the churches maximize the opportunities You provide through a free society. Lord, I pray for the very real needs in Benin. I pray that You would root out the corruption and raise up individuals who are truly servant leaders that seek the best for the country. I ask You to tear down the strongholds in Benin and expose the structures that are propping up trafficking and the black market. Reveal the truth of child labor and exploitation for others' interests. Lord, we ask You to send justice that will roll like a river, righteousness like the waves of the sea. Transform Benin from the roots upward Lord. We pray for the church in Benin to have wisdom in reaching the unreached among them. We pray against the power of animism and the syncretism in the churches. We ask for a pure church, one with no compromise and filled with the Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank You, Lord, for what You are doing and will do in Benin. In Jesus' name, amen.
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