Welcome to 5 Days to Fast & Pray for the Election. We are so happy to have you join us in praying for our country during this important time. No matter who you are supporting, we can all agree on the fact that prayer is needed as we head to the voting booth and as we transition to a new administration.

We are leaving it up to you to decide if you will participate in the fasting aspect of this prayer guide and if so, what type of fasting you will do. If you are able, remember to join us for prayer Monday-Thursday evenings from 8 p.m.-8:30 p.m Eastern time on our Facebook page. You may also post prayers anytime of the day or night on that page as well. If you have not yet asked to join that page and you would like to, go to the Facebook page and request permission to join, and we will grant it.

Day 1: Turn from Sin

1. Find a quiet place to process with the Lord. Take your Bible and a journal.
2. Pray for revival to start in your own heart. Ask the Lord to show you any habits, actions, thoughts, words, attitudes, etc. that need to change in you so that you are ready for revival.
3. Journal about what you feel God is showing you.
4. Once you feel your own heart is set, move to praying for your community, state, and nation. Choose a scripture that you can pray specifically for our nation and use that throughout the week.

Day 2: Turn to God

1. Make a plan to pray for the elections several times throughout the day. If needed, set the alarm on your phone to remind you to pray.
2. Pray for people in your building or neighborhood to pray for God’s will in this election. Ask another to join you in prayer today.
3. Take a prayer walk and pray for the elections and issues in your own city.
4. Get out a map or look up a map on Google and pray across the states in our great land. Ask God to raise up Christians tp pray and exercise their right to vote.

Day 3: Turn to Wisdom

1. If you haven’t done so yet, it is time to become educated about the issues of this election on every level. Please do your own research or click on the following link to learn about the candidates for 2016: Wall Builders. If you go to your state’s .gov site, you will be able to download a copy of the ballot to see all the candidates you will be voting on, plus any initiatives you may be voting on. 
2. After you have completed your research, make a list of whom you plan to vote for and for the proposals in your community.
3. Research the location of your polling place and check the hours.
4. Help elderly neighbors and relatives by offering then a ride to their polling place.

Day 4: Turn Your Eyes

 Day 5: Turn Your Heart

 (VanOsdol)

Day 1, The Lord’s Prayer: Pray for God’s Will.

 Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

“This, then is how you should pray:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Prayer Focus: The prayer focus for Day 1 is revival. Revival for our country starts with revival in my own heart. We must each seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Our first priority is to glorify God. When we get our hearts and priorities set by seeking and doing His will, everything else will come into alignment with Jesus. He can then begin working His plan in each one of our lives. Revival will happen when we live by the credo “thy will be done.” To the degree that we relinquish control to God is the degree to which the Holy Spirit can begin to transform our lives. Imagine if we all did that! As our lives transform, so will our nation. Revival happens one soul at a time.

Action Steps:

1. Find a quiet place to process with the Lord. Take your Bible and a journal.
2. Pray for revival to start in your own heart. Ask the Lord to show you any habits, actions, thoughts, words, attitudes, etc., that need to change in you so that you are ready for revival.
3. Journal about what you feel God is showing you.
4. Once you feel your own heart is set, move to praying for your community, state, and nation. Choose a scripture that you can pray specifically for our nation and use that throughout the week.

Day 2, The Prayer of Nehemiah: Rebuild Some Walls

Scripture: Nehemiah 1:5-11, 2:18b

So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

And I said: “I pray, LORD God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man” … “Let us rise up and build.” Then they set their hands to this good work.

Prayer Focus: The prayer focus for Day 2 is unity in our country. In the story of Nehemiah, Israel was in trouble because those who had survived the exile and were back in Jerusalem were facing the extreme situation of a broken-down wall and burned gates. They were defenseless and open to other enemy attacks without the protection of the wall that encircled the city. Rebuilding this wall was top priority if they were going to once again live in safety. They needed the remnant to work together to rebuild the wall.

Today we are facing a divided nation, as are many of our European and African brothers and sisters, as we deal with a caustic society where respect and manners have given away to prejudices and a do-and-say-what-you want mentality. We need to rebuild the walls of unity, respect, and peace in our nations.

Action Steps:

1. Take your journal and Bible to a quiet place.
2. Ask God to show you if you have any wrong beliefs/attitudes that need to be corrected.
3. Journal what you feel God is showing you.
4. Prayerfully seek ways you can reach out to others who are different than you. We can’t try to force this, but must ask God to open opportunities and then be watchful for them.
5. Consider serving in a ministry that gives you opportunity to interact with a diverse group of people.
6. Diligently intercede over divisions in your own family, neighborhood, church, and country. Write down any specific requests that the Holy Spirit quickens to your heart in your journal.

Day 3, Prayer Daniel: Admit Our Sin and Ask for God’s Intervention.

Scripture: Daniel 9:15-19

“And now, O Lord our God, who brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and made Yourself a name, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have done wickedly! “O Lord, according to all Your righteousness, I pray, let Your anger and Your fury be turned away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people are a reproach to all those around us.

Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord’s sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name.”

Prayer Focus: For Day 3 our prayer focus is restoration, upcoming elections and leaders. Because we have chosen to walk by sight and not by faith, to follow our own heart and forget the word of God, our nation is in turmoil. God will only bless us when His people follow His word and His will. Thankfully, God constantly calls us to repent, to turn back and start over again with Him. The election of 2016 is critical. We are at a turning point. The “watchman on the wall” is calling. We need strong godly citizens and leaders to help our nation thrive. The battle for our heart, for the heart of our families, cities and nations will be won our knees with the sword of the spirit on our lips. Pray for the hearts of the people to turn back to God so we will elect God’s chosen leaders. Pray for God to surround the leaders who are in power with godly counselors, like Daniel (Never doubt the influence of one godly man or woman placed strategically by God). In Christ, we always have hope.

Action Steps:

1. Find a quiet place to process with the Lord. Take your Bible and a journal.
2. Pray for God to reveal sinful attitudes and actions in your own heart and life. Ask Him to show you sins of commission (things you’ve done but shouldn’t have) and sins of omission (things you haven’t done but should have). Confess your sins to God.
3. Journal about what you feel God is showing you. Ask for His healing and restoration.
4. Now pray and ask God to show you sins committed at a local, state and national levels. Stand in the gap and corporately confess to God these sins.
5. Ask for forgiveness and restoration for our cities, states and nation.
6. Throughout the rest of the week, continue to take time to pray and confess on all four levels. Choose scriptures to pray specifically throughout the week.

Day 4: The Prayer of Hezekiah: God’s Deliverance

Scripture: Isaiah 37:15-20

“And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it; and Hezekiah went up to the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. Then Hezekiah prayed to the LORD, saying: “O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and hear; open Your eyes, O LORD, and see; and hear all the words of Sennacherib, which he has sent to reproach the living God. Truly, LORD, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the LORD, You alone.”

Prayer Focus: Our prayer focus for Day 4 is terrorism. We can no longer shut our eyes and pretend terrorism is a Middle East problem. Five of seven continents have experienced terrorist attacks. Since most of us will not be moving to Antarctica, we must face the problem and act. The most powerful thing we can do is pray. Pray for God to:

1. wreck the plans of terrorists
2. confuse their communications
3. cut off their supply lines
4. use their plans of evil for good
5. raise up mighty men and women of God to oppose their plans with force
6. make us all ready to live courageously in the face of great danger and be willing to lay down our lives if needed
7. infiltrate the hearts and minds of terrorists with the truth of His Holy Word.
8. send in missionaries to witness to all involved in terrorist activities.

By the mighty power of Jesus’ Holy Name we pray, Amen.

Action Points:

1. Get out your prayer journal and read through the scriptures for today again. record in your journal any thoughts you have or actions God is prompting you to take.
2. If you are connected to the Internet, Google search the latest terror attacks throughout the world. Choose the three or four of them, record them in your journal and pray for the victims, their families, the first responders and the leaders of those nations.
3. Access the following link and pray for one or several of the nations listed in the terrorism index: Global Terrorism Index
4. Here comes the hard part. God tells us to pray for our enemies. Let’s do it. Let’s pray for the terrorist cells to be confronted dead on by the life-changing, heart-rending power of the Holy Spirit. Pray for God to pursue them night and day, to speak to them through the testimony of those they kill and their dreams at night. May they have no peace until the meet the Prince of Peace.
5. Look up the names of known terrorists and pray specifically for them to turn to Christ, for God to interrupt their plans and for them to see God moving in the lives of those they are persecuting. 

Day 5 The Fast of Esther for the Persecuted

Scripture: Esther 3: 8-9, 4:13-17

Esther was a young Jewish woman who had been exiled and lived in Persia with her older cousin Mordecai, about 100 years after the Babylonian captivity. By a series of dramatic events Esther is named Queen of the Persian Empire. Haman, one of the king’s advisors, hated the Jews and devised a scheme to annihilate all of the Jews in Persia.

“Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from all other people’s, and they do not keep the king’s laws. Therefore it is not fitting for the king to let them remain. 9 If it pleases the king, let a decree be written that they be destroyed, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who do the work, to bring it into the king’s treasuries.

And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: “Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king’s palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Then Esther told them to reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!”

So Mordecai went his way and did according to all that Esther commanded him.”

Prayer Focus: Our prayer focus for day 4 is the persecuted church and Christians. Every day around the world people are persecuted, imprisoned, tortured, and martyred for their faith. One Christian is killed every 5 minutes (11 each hour, 273 each day, about 100,000 each year). While these people may be strangers they are our brothers and sisters in Christ. When Esther heard about the plight of her people, she chose to act. She called for believers everywhere in Persia to fast and pray for God to act and deliver His people. After three days of fasting and praying, at the risk of her own life, she approached the king and asked for deliverance. We, however, can boldly approach the throne of grace and ask our King for mercy without fearing for our lives. Today, let’s commit to spending a half hour in prayer for the persecuted church and persecuted Christians. Ask God to raise up others to pray. Let’s open our eyes to the need and speak out for those who are suffering and act.

Action Steps:

1. Once again, read through the scriptures for today and record your thoughts in your prayer journal.
2. Click a link. We tend to think the oppression and persecution of Christian people belongs to a bygone era. However, more Christians are being persecuted for their faith today than in any other time in history. Please click on the following link for Voice of the Martyrs and learn how you can get involved. Voice of the Martyrs.
3. While at their website sign up for their free Voice of the Martyrs newsletter. Click on the Get Involved link and learn about several significant ways you can impact and encourage persecuted Christians around the world.
4. Throw a party! One of my favorite ways to help persecuted and oppressed women is through Women at Risk. “Women at Risk International is a, nonprofit organization, established to create circles of protection around at-risk women and children … we provide safe places to heal from abuse, trafficking, exploitation, and more. Our passion is to empower survivors to live and work with dignity and hope.” We have manicure parties, make-up parties, and cooking parties so why not host a party to help the persecuted? To watch a short video on how to host a WAR party click on the link: Women at Risk Party. I did it with my 5^th graders and we made over $500 to donate to those at risk!
5. Get a Map. To help you track the countries you are praying for, Every Home for Christ offers free prayer maps, e-books, and prayer guides. Click on the link and order yours today. Every Home for Christ

Final Challenge: Don’t let it end here. God wants you to take what you have learned and use it to teach others. Start your own 5 Days to Fast and Pray group.

Esther called out to other believers and asked them to join her in praying for the deliverance of God’s people. There has never been an easier time in history to start a prayer group than 2016. Technology, social media and e-mail have made it possible for any person to impact the culture at a global level. A few clicks of a mouse and you can set up your own 5 Days to Fast and Pray Facebook group.

If you are willing to answer God’s call, here’s how to set up your own prayer group:

1. Go to your own Face book page.
2. Click on the home tab next to your account picture on the top ribbon.
3. On the left hand pane under Groups, click on Create Group and Facebook will help you set up your own page.
4. After your group is set up, you can add/invite members in the right hand pane where it says add members.
5. You can also go to your own personal wall and create a post advertising your prayer/bible study group!
6. To access a logo and header for your group, please click on the links provided: Facebook Meme Facebook Header

Let us know if we can assist you with your group set-up. Jane and I are praying for you!

In Jesus Name, Amen.

The winds of change often blow through March. One day it’s sunny and 55 degrees, and the next day we’re running for cover from an onslaught of rain or snow. And it’s not just the weather that’s fickle either. I find myself dragging through gloomy days feeling unmotivated, dreary, and dreaming of summertime fun. So, let’s dig in and persevere, knowing that better days are ahead. Here are a few ways to focus your prayers during the next few weeks with Only By Prayer.

1. Visit of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, March 3 — Much contention surrounds the visit of Netanyahu. House Speaker John Boehner invited him to address Congress without the sanction of the White House. President Obama has said that he will not meet with the prime minister while he is here, which will further strain the relationship between longtime allies Israel and the United States. The whole issue has become a hot button, further ignited by John Kerry’s working to strike a nuclear deal with Iran, a true enemy of Israel. Much prayer is needed for the whole situation.

Resources:

 Fox News

 Verse:

“I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for everyone — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NIV

 Prayer:

Lord, we ask that the truth of this situation will be made plain. We pray for the relationship between Israel and America that we will continue to support each other. We pray for healing between our leaders. We pray for your intervention in world affairs. Guide and direct us so that we are effectively and fervently praying for our world and its leaders. Amen.

2. National Day of Unplugging, March 6 — Whether or not we like to admit it, technology has radically changed the way we live life. Computers, tablets, and smart phones give us instant access to information, news, and people. If we don’t quickly respond to the latest text or Tweet, people easily become upset with us.

Constantly “being on” takes a toll, as we feel we must respond Pavlov-like to every ring, buzz, or ding.

Tweet This

Resource:

National Day of Unplugging

 Verse:

“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 37-39 NIV

Prayer:

 Lord, we ask that you will help us to reconnect with ourselves, our families and friends, and you on this day. May we realize that loving you is our greatest commandment. Help us to focus on your priorities in our lives and to reestablish a discipline of peace and quiet in our days. Amen.

3. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17 — Today St. Patrick’s Day is famous for celebrating the Irish culture. Shamrocks are seemingly on every corner, and if you forget to wear green, look out for a sharp pinch. The holiday actually began in the 300s when Patrick, a British teen of a well-to-do Roman family, was kidnapped by Druids and taken to Ireland as a servant to tend sheep. During those difficult years, he turned to God and started praying throughout his days and nights, developing a close relationship with God. Be sure to take a minute to read the rest of his inspiring story in the link from the resources. From Patrick we can learn the importance of praying, depending upon God, and witnessing.

Resource:

 St. Patrick

 Verse:

“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek his face always.” 1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV

Prayer:

Lord, we pray for the heart that Patrick had to seek you despite his dire circumstances. May we develop a heart of prayer and the habit of depending upon you and not ourselves. Give us the thirst to witness to others that Patrick had. He changed the heart of a country because he was so obedient to you. Help us to practice that same obedience and shine our light for you wherever we find ourselves. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

4. Palm Sunday, March 29 — Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter and celebrates the time that Jesus triumphantly rode into Jerusalem to shouts of acclaim from the people. This euphoric day is the start of Holy Week, a roller coaster of events and emotions during the last week of Jesus’ life. As the worshipers did on Palm Sunday, let’s focus on spending time praising God today. Verbal praise can help us defeat the enemy’s work in our lives and lift our spirits. It also puts Jesus in His proper place and us in ours.

Resource:

Praise the Lord!

 Verse:

“Hosanna to the Son of David!” Matthew 21:9b NIV

Prayer:

 Jesus, we praise you and sing hosanna because you are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We know that nothing is too hard for you. We praise you that you make all things work together for our good. We thank you that in you all things consist. We praise you for your peace that passes all understanding and guards our hearts and minds in Chirst Jesus. All praise to you, Heavenly Father! Amen.

 5. Revisiting New Year Resolutions — At some point during this month, why not revisit any resolutions you made in January? How are you doing with implementing these changes in your life? By now, the novelty has definitely worn off, but the importance of each resolution should be reevaluated. Perhaps one or two deserve your serious focus. Sift and pray through the resolutions and decide how to move forward.

Resource:

Five Critical Steps to Lasting Change by Dr. James McDonald

 Verse:

 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”                           2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV

Prayer:

 Lord, we ask that you fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us the bold determination to make the changes that need to be made in our lives. This is rarely an easy thing. Help us to do the work that it takes to change an attitude, break a bad habit, find a new job, start an endeavor, finish our studies, have a quiet time, or whatever it is that needs to be done. May this be the year that we accomplish what we set out to do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Thanks for praying with us this month. What are some other ways you are interceding in March? Please share your ideas in the comment section below.

Pray on!

Have you ever wanted to stop praying for a person or situation because it seemed futile?

I’ve been there and was actually feeling a bit discouraged today when I stumbled across this video on intercession. I was so inspired by its message that I had to share it with you.

This video uses the scripture from Ezekiel 22:30  as a basis for its message: “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”

When we pray for others or for a situation, we are standing in the gap between that person or that situation and God. Can you see the importance of plugging that gap with your prayers? It is of such importance that God was going to use the prayers of ONE man to not destroy a land, but he could find no one praying. How sad is that!

What gaps are you plugging today? Who are you holding up in mercy before Jesus? What situation are you interceding for in your family, your neighborhood, your country, the world?

After watching this, I am encouraged to keep on praying for those people and situations that seem hopeless. I see how the prayers of one man, woman, or child can make a difference. Watch the video. Keep on praying.

Pray on!

Do you ever wish you could do something BIG for the world? I mean something with lasting influence? You may feel as if what you do through your day doesn’t amount to much in the big scheme of things. You look at your friends or family or those in the Christian spotlight who seem to have exciting jobs and callings, while yours pales in comparison. Well, I’d like to suggest that perhaps the problem doesn’t lie with you or your calling.

The problem is how you see yourself.

You’re looking at yourself with your “worldly” eyes, rather than through your spiritual eyes as God sees you.

You see, the Bible tells us that God has given us all spiritual gifts that He wants us to use–not just during special times or events–but everyday (see Romans 12:3-8; 1Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Ephesians 4:11).  In the ordinary, in the boring, in the busy, in the slow, in the crazy times of our lives, He wants us to use these gifts. But how many of us are really doing that?

Recently, I’ve been challenged to rethink how I look at my days and my gifts.

I’m working through a Bible study called Acts: An Invitation to Courageous Living, written by two women at my church, Corinne Gunter and Julie Meiners. In Week 6, I was asked to think about those people that God has placed in my sphere of influence, and the authors included a diagram (like the one below) in the Bible study. They said to put myself in the place of the green dot in the middle of the circle and then add on the circle the names of people in my life that I may have some influence over.

As I did that, I realized that there were a lot of names on the circle, people of various ages and stages of life, some even of different cultures. Some live close to me, some live farther away.

I then sensed God asking me how I might be able to minister to or influence these people He has put in my life, using the gifts He has given me. For example, I realized I could encourage the first-time mother on my list with a home-baked meal (using the gift of hospitality) to help her after she came home from the hospital. Intercession is another gift of mine, so I could certainly pray for a young person I know who is wandering far from the Lord. Exhortation is another gift, so I could schedule to meet with a teen girl I know to be a sounding board as she struggles with some decisions in her life.

Corinne and Julie challenged me to look at my life and open my eyes to the people God has put there. What have I been missing? Who is God calling me to help, and what is He asking me to do?

I’d like to challenge you to do the same thing. Fill out your circle of influence. Ask God to show you who may be right under your nose that could benefit from some of your time and resources. What are you missing, maybe because you’re looking for the “big” thing?

Well, God does has something big for each of us to do, and often times He has us start right where we are. What’s He putting on your heart today?

Pray on!

Have you ever received a piece of news that just about knocked you off your feet?

It may be that everyone else around you could see it coming, but for whatever reason, you were blindsided by the revelation. That happened to me a few years ago. It was a challenging situation to handle, and I knew I needed to pray about it. Honestly, the situation was so overwhelming and foreign to me that I didn’t know where to begin.

Then I heard about the idea of prayer strategies.

While this is not a new concept, it was new to me. Basically the idea is to ask the Lord to reveal how you should pray about a difficult situation. I found the basis for this in Romans 8:26, 27.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

I also like Psalm 119:169.

“Let my cry come before You, O Lord; give me understanding according to Your Word.”

So I set aside some time to pray and seek the insight of the Holy Spirit as to how I could attack this situation with prayer. I wanted specific guidelines. I grabbed my journal and then I waited.

While I was praying, the Holy Spirit began to give me phrases to pray, and many of them had to do with being set free. At the end of that time, I actually had a list of 12 things to pray about. I ran through my list and made sure that none of the ways I was going to pray conflicted with scripture. And they didn’t. Always make sure that your prayer strategy aligns with scripture, because the Holy Spirit will not ask you to pray for things that are contrary to scripture.

Specific Scripture

Since I could see the theme of freedom in these prayer requests, I then looked up some specific scriptures dealing with freedom that I could pray into this situation. I simply turned to my concordance, looked up the word freedom, and read through the scriptures. I asked the Holy Spirit to quicken my heart to the ones I should pray, and then chose the ones I felt led to.

You see, praying scripture is like throwing spiritual dynamite into the situation because God tells us in Hebrews 4:12 that His word is “alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” It is the most powerful weapon in our arsenal.

I was so relieved to go from not knowing how to pray to having a very detailed prayer strategy in place. Each day I prayed using my strategy and trusted God with the results. This is important. Let go of any pressure. The results are up to God—your job is to pray.

“How long do I keep doing this?” you might be wondering.

Well, every situation is different. Often times we don’t get to see the results of our prayers. Some requests may need years of intercession; others only a short time. Basically, as long as God still puts the request on your heart or until you see victory in the area is how long you should keep praying. God will release you from the prayer burden when it is time.
I would encourage you that if you are feeling overwhelmed with a situation to ask God for a prayer strategy.You will go from feeling helpless to being powerfully equipped to pray your way through.
Drop me a comment or question and let me know if you use prayer strategies.
Pray on!