PRAYING "FOR" OTHERS AND NOT "AGAINST"
SEE FULL ARTICLE FROM IFA AT THIS LINK
The italicized information below is from the IFA article in the link above.
What follows is a meditation and practical application for prayer.
"Focus our prayers on God’s increasing kingdom instead of the world’s crumbling systems.
Apart from Christ, this world will continue to fall apart. We shouldn’t be surprised at the failure of man’s attempts to secure peace and freedom. God will continue to shake everything that can be shaken in order for the reality of His kingdom to be clearly demonstrated through His people (Heb 12:27-28). Instead of praying “against” things, pray FOR the purposes of God to prevail!"
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The Lord tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
If we love our enemies, do we pray "against" them?
What is our prayer of love for those who hurt or offend us?
Is praying that the driver who cuts us off, gets thrown in jail and gets his/her 'just desserts' a prayer of love? How would God see that prayer? Is it a prayer that builds His kingdom? Would it not be more loving to pray that the spirit of peace will fall on him/her, that they will drive safely and look out for others?
How about the prayer of praying "against the spirit of deception"? Shouldn't we be praying for what we want...such as asking for His Spirit of truth to come and renew hearts and minds?
Note: Praying "against" puts one in a position of anger-not a good position to be in to pray for the redemption of another! Praying for those who wrong us is a challenge because we have to let go of our anger and offense. Praying the good-and what needs to happen to build God's kingdom-changes us, so we are not focused on our hurts and anger.... and.... keeps us out of offense! We are looking for our prayers to always build His kingdom in whatever circumstance and to do that we must ask our Father in heaven to help us.
I hope you will take this challenge and begin to prayer in love at all times and to pray "for" others. This is a big step up into building His kingdom but we can't do it alone. We must have heaven's help for it is a big challenge!
Lord Jesus we ask for Your favor to be able to pray for those who offend us,
that we will pray for their good as You have taught us.
We cannot do this on our own and we ask for the help of the Holy Spirit,
who is our Helper and our source of truth.
We know that we are YOUR handiwork, that YOU have begun a good work in us and
that it is YOU who will complete it.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
SEE FULL ARTICLE FROM IFA AT THIS LINK
The italicized information below is from the IFA article in the link above.
What follows is a meditation and practical application for prayer.
"Focus our prayers on God’s increasing kingdom instead of the world’s crumbling systems.
Apart from Christ, this world will continue to fall apart. We shouldn’t be surprised at the failure of man’s attempts to secure peace and freedom. God will continue to shake everything that can be shaken in order for the reality of His kingdom to be clearly demonstrated through His people (Heb 12:27-28). Instead of praying “against” things, pray FOR the purposes of God to prevail!"
___________________________
The Lord tells us to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matt 5:44).
If we love our enemies, do we pray "against" them?
What is our prayer of love for those who hurt or offend us?
Is praying that the driver who cuts us off, gets thrown in jail and gets his/her 'just desserts' a prayer of love? How would God see that prayer? Is it a prayer that builds His kingdom? Would it not be more loving to pray that the spirit of peace will fall on him/her, that they will drive safely and look out for others?
How about the prayer of praying "against the spirit of deception"? Shouldn't we be praying for what we want...such as asking for His Spirit of truth to come and renew hearts and minds?
Note: Praying "against" puts one in a position of anger-not a good position to be in to pray for the redemption of another! Praying for those who wrong us is a challenge because we have to let go of our anger and offense. Praying the good-and what needs to happen to build God's kingdom-changes us, so we are not focused on our hurts and anger.... and.... keeps us out of offense! We are looking for our prayers to always build His kingdom in whatever circumstance and to do that we must ask our Father in heaven to help us.
I hope you will take this challenge and begin to prayer in love at all times and to pray "for" others. This is a big step up into building His kingdom but we can't do it alone. We must have heaven's help for it is a big challenge!
Lord Jesus we ask for Your favor to be able to pray for those who offend us,
that we will pray for their good as You have taught us.
We cannot do this on our own and we ask for the help of the Holy Spirit,
who is our Helper and our source of truth.
We know that we are YOUR handiwork, that YOU have begun a good work in us and
that it is YOU who will complete it.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
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