For many, the start of school heralds the end of summer, perhaps not on the calendar, but at home as parents, children, and teachers prepare themselves for the start of the school year. Hot weather still abounds, however, and state fairs are the activity of choice this month. As you enjoy the warm days of August, here’s a few ways to pray with Only By Prayer.

1. National Senior Citizen’s Day, August 21

As you can imagine, this day was set up to honor and support senior citizens and the contributions they have made to our society and our lives. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation making this an official holiday. It’s important to give our senior citizens an honored place in our lives, but I am afraid the opposite is often actually true. We should make an effort to hear the stories and glean wisdom from those who have walked the path of life longer than we have. Not just today, but often let’s seek out the elderly. Enjoy the company of grandparents and perhaps visit a nursing home. Ask about their lives and be prepared to listen, because we all enjoy sharing our stories. Post on social media using #SeniorCitizensDay.

Resources:

National Senior Citizen’s Day

Verse: They [The righteous] will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; He is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.” Psalm 92:14 NIV

Prayer: Lord, this verse has always given me hope. Thank you that you still use us in our old age. We pray for our elderly. We ask that they will live close to you and that you will use them in a powerful way. We pray they will walk wisely and share the wisdom they have accumulated over the years with the younger generations. Give them a purpose, peace, and joy as they transition to their later years. Help the youth to treat them with respect. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2. Planned Parenthood Harvesting and Selling Body Parts of Aborted Babies

I can’t believe we have come to the place in the United States where this practice is going on, but it is and we have. When this news came out through undercover videos taken by the Center for Medical Progress, I didn’t want to believe it, but unfortunately, the proof is in the videos. Let’s join in praying that this horrific illegal practice be stopped.

Resources:

Vote on Bill to Defund Planned Parenthood

Senate Phone numbers

Center for Medical Progress

Verse: Did not he who make me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers? Job 31:15 NIV

Prayer: Lord, we are sickened by the harvesting and sale of these body parts from aborted babies. We confess this terrible sin and ask for your forgiveness. We ask that those involved would be convicted of their sin and confess it. We pray this practice — and that of abortion — would stop. May we be a nation that values the life of an unborn child and does everything possible to protect our children. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

3. Teachers Preparing for Back to School

I know it’s only the beginning of August, but in my state, several school districts are on a year-round schedule and started back to school the last week of July! Two of my sisters are school teachers and they are both already working on getting ready for the school year and setting up their rooms. Let’s support our teachers through prayer at the start of this new school year. Remember, teachers are now held accountable for things that often times they have no control over.

Resources:

Free! Prayer Chart for Schools

A Prayer for Teachers

Verse: It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

Prayer: Lord, we thank you for our teachers. They are on the front lines of our next generation serving and performing in an often thankless job. We pray for wisdom and strength. We pray for a strong moral character built on the foundation of God. We ask for the support and the resources they need. May their students listen to and respect them. May they teach in such a way that their students can grasp the facts and learn their lessons. Please protect them, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

4. Nigerian Troops rescue 178 people from Boko Haram Camp

At the end of July, Nigerian forces rescued 101 children, 67 women, and 10 men, all of whom had been kidnapped over the last year by this terrorist group. None of the 219 Chibok school girls were among those rescued. This is a cause for praise and prayer; praise for those rescued and prayer because many, including those 219 school girls, are still missing.

Resources:

Nigerian Troops rescue 178 people from Boko Haram Camp

Verse: The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God.” Exodus 2:23 NIV

Prayer: Lord, we praise and thank you for the rescue of these 178 people from the clutches of the Boko Haram terrorist group. We pray for physical, mental, and spiritual healing of the former captives. We pray for them to be reunited with families and friends. We ask for them to be able to be relocated to a safe area. We pray for the rescue of those still being held captive by terrorists. We pray for their safety and their release/escape from their captors. Give them courage and hope. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

5. Drought in California

For over 10 years, California and other western states have been contending with a drought. Half of the state is categorized as being in an “exceptional drought.” The drought is a springboard for other problems, like wild fires and farming difficulties. Governor Jerry Brown has called for 25 percent reductions in water usage by towns and cities. Let’s pray that God will send rain so that California can refill its reservoirs and have an adequate supply to support its citizens and industry. Let’s also not miss the chance to pray for droughts of other types in peoples lives, particularly that of God’s word and his presence.

Resources:

How Bad Is the Drought in California?

Verse: Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. Deuteronomy 11:14 NIV

Prayer: Dear Jesus, in the Bible times, you would send a drought upon Israel as a sign that they needed to turn from their sin back to you. Lord, we pray that this drought would also remind us to seek you to fulfill our spiritual thirst. We pray that we will turn from the sin of ignoring you and get our lives back on track by serving you. We pray also for periodic, steady rains to fall upon California and the others states experiencing drought. Amen.

Thank you for praying with Only By Prayer through the month of August. Feel free to add other requests in the comment section below.

Pray on!

Whether it feels like it or not where you live, summer has arrived in full force. In July we usually enjoy long, hot days with lots of sunshine. Summer evenings are illuminated by thousands of lightning bugs, and crickets and cicadas serenade us with a chorus of songs.

Thanks for taking some time to pray with Only By Prayer this month.

1. Independence Day, July 4 — In 1776, the American colonies won their independence from Great Britain, and we have enjoyed the privileges of a free nation ever since. As we consider the persecution that many are suffering around the world for personally held beliefs, our freedom is not to be taken lightly. In recent years, controversies regarding race, sexual orientation, religion, and politics have made us seem anything but the United States of America. We can pray for Americans to seek God and His plans for their lives and our nation.

Resources:

Intercessors for America

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

Prayer: Jesus, we thank You for the freedom we have enjoyed for many years in America. We never want to take these for granted. May we keep a spirit of thankfulness ever before us. Many times, however, we have abused these freedoms and made ourselves an offense to You by our sin. We ask for Your forgiveness. May Americans repent and turn to You, seeking Your plans for us as individuals and for our nation as a whole. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

2. Mission Trips — Churches frequently schedule mission trips during the summer months when individuals and families may have a bit more time to devote to this commitment. Let’s pray that God prepares the hearts of all those involved. This can be a life-changing experience for both those going and those who are on the receiving end of the mission’s work.

Resources:

Avoiding Pitfalls of Short-term Mission Trips

Verse: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 28:19 NIV

Prayer: Lord, may the short-termers’ first thought be of preparing their hearts before You and seeking Your plans for the trip. We ask that those going would be aware of cultural customs so as not to offend anyone and would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We pray for safety and good health while traveling. For those whom the trip is planned, we pray for salvation, healing, and growth. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

3. Ebola — Although it’s been out of the news lately, Ebola continues to be a problem in certain parts of the world. Liberia, which the World Health Organization declared clear of Ebola in May 2015, has just confirmed two new cases. Neighboring countries Sierra Leone and Guinea are still reporting several cases every week. Let’s pray that this disease can be wiped out and that another widespread outbreak does not occur.

Resources:

News Story

Verse: Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits — who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases. Psalm 103:3 NIV

Prayer: Lord, we pray that the scourge of Ebola would be wiped off the earth. We ask for healing for those who are suffering from this illness. We pray it will not spread any more. We pray it will not cross the boundaries of cities and countries. We ask a hedge of protection around those who have contact with Ebola patients. Please give the doctors and health care workers wisdom as they treat those infected. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

4. Shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston – Nine people were killed at this black church when a lone, white gunman opened fire after a prayer meeting that he attended. Since then, three arson fires have been set at predominately black churches in the South. These tragedies should spur us on to pray against racism in the United States. We have always been a melting pot of different races and cultures; rather than letting that divide us, let’s be a force for prayer that can overcome prejudice and hate.

Resources:

Prayer Against Racism and Prejudice

Verse: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34.

Prayer: Jesus, out of a heart filled with love, You died so that we might all have eternal life. When You look at us,You see your children. Help us to remember we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. May our hearts cultivate a spirit of love. We ask for healing at Emanuel Church and for the friends and families of those murdered.  We pray for these other churches that were victims of arson. We pray that hearts of stone and hatred would be changed by your unfailing, color-blind love. May your church be leading the charge of changed hearts. Amen.

5. The Feast of Mary and Martha of Bethany, July 29 — This church feast day celebrates the story of Mary and Martha offering hospitality to Jesus as He was visiting and teaching at their home. We can cull many lessons from this vignette of Jesus’ life. First of all, we can see the importance of offering hospitality and sharing our home with others, just as Mary and Martha did. Perhaps even more, we see the importance of priorities and how we spend our time as we study Jesus’ words to the worried Martha.

Resources:

She Sat by Mary Kane

Mary and Martha at Lectionary.com

Verses: Now as Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42 NIV

Prayer: Jesus, we ask for the trait of hospitality that Mary and Martha demonstrated. Help us to freely share our homes and resources as they did. And we pray for the focus that Mary had on what is important — You. May we set our eyes on You as she did; align our priorities with Yours. Amen.

Thank you for praying with us this month, and be sure to add other requests in the comment section.

Pray on!