Prayer For All People, For Kings And Governors

A Prayer for God’s Help in Times of Trouble

“May your God, who you serve continually, rescue you!” – Daniel 6:16

The Story of Daniel: The Power of Prayer and Faith in Times of Great Trouble

If anyone needed help in time of trouble, it was Daniel. This verse finds him sentenced to a pit of lions for praying to and worshiping God (Daniel 6:13-18).

The administrators set to serve under the current reign of King Darius were bent on removing Daniel from his seat.

Daniel had found favor with King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar prior to King Darius’ reign through his interpretation of dreams and godly wisdom.

The rest is history. We read in Daniel 6 the infamous story of Daniel’s bravery in the face of his choice to worship the Lord over the law (6: 10).

The king, distraught over the decree he was tricked into issuing (Daniel 6:14), nevertheless sealed Daniel into the lion’s den (v. 17). Unable to eat or sleep (v. 18), the king rushed to the den at dawn.

“Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” (vv. 19-20)

“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions,” came Daniel’s reply from the den.

The decree was reversed, requiring all in the land to worship God, and those who had conspired against Daniel were themselves tossed into the lion’s den.

What Daniel’s Story Teaches Us about the Power of Prayer and Faith

When we are pressed up against troubling times, let us look to Daniel’s example of how to gather strength in times of distress. Turning to God for justice and answers was not new territory for Daniel. It was habit. He prayed habitually. He looked to the Lord routinely.

If we establish a daily habit of turning to God in our lives, it’s more ly to be our immediate reaction in times of trouble.

There is no way around spending time with God: we must have a relationship with Him in order to experience His peace. We must spend time in the Word. We must spend time in prayer.

Pausing to look at our current situation in the light of His perspective is the essential path to taking hold of His peace.

Christ died to give us full access to our great God. We can look to His Word, look up to Him in prayer, and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us.

The societal misconception is that we possess the strength to pull ourselves trouble. But if we rely on our own strength, we’ll surely fail. It’s His strength that makes our salvation possible.

Walking with Christ isn’t about striving for perfection, but straining towards submission.

A Prayer You Can Pray for God’s Help in Times of Trouble:

Father,

We praise You for Daniel’s life and legacy, that we are able to read and study his life here today. Thank you for the glimpse you give us of his powerfully prophetic life. Thank you for this book of Scripture and how we can see Christ in it.

Daniel, we know Jesus faithfully endured the punishment for obedience to you. But un Daniel, you did not spare him from the “mouth of the lions.

” You let Your Son die a brutal death on the Cross, paying the penalty for our sins, and through his resurrection You’ve given us eternal life and access to Your glory. Oh Lord – thank You!

In every situation in our lives, may we remember that You are sovereign over all. Justice rightfully sits in Your hands, not ours. You are bigger. You are in control. You are omnipotent – all-present in times of trouble. Just Daniel, we can trust You with our lives. It’s Your purpose that puts our feet on earth.

Protect our hearts from bitterness and suspicions, comparison and insecurity. Teach us to be confident in You, alone. Right our hearts to place You at the helm. Bless our minds to run to You for solutions to problems that put our backs up against walls. Help us to resist gossip and slander, blame and unnecessary attacks on the character of others.

May the story of Your angel, who shut the mouths of the lions, help us to remember Your power and promise. When we are in trouble, help us to remember the cross. In the direst situation of all, Christ conquered death.

In a quickly crumbling world, let us be shards of light. May we be peacekeepers, and extensions of Your love. We’re not promised this world will be easy or fair, but You guarantee Your presence and Your love. Grant us courage to stick to Your standards. You are good, all the time.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

This article is part of our larger Prayers resource meant to inspire and encourage your prayer life when you face uncertain times. Visit our most popular prayers if you are wondering how to pray or what to pray. Remember, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us and God knows your heart even if you can't find the words to pray.

A Daily Morning Prayer
A Prayer for a Broken Heart
A Prayer for Worry
A Prayer for First Thing in the Morning
A Prayer for When You Don't Know What to Do

Meg Bucher (Megs) encourages others to seek Him first through her life as a stay-at-home mom, career as a freelance writer, teaching Emoti-moms Weekly Bible Study, and leading the kids worship teams at her local church. She resides in a small, Northern lake town with her husband of ten years, two daughters, and their Golden-doodle. Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ on her blog, //sunnyand80.org.

Image Credit: ©Thinkstock

Источник: //www.ibelieve.com/faith/a-prayer-for-god-s-help-in-times-of-trouble.html

Youth With A Mission – Pray for Governments

In YWAM we desire to see God’s transformation in every sphere of society. These spheres of influence include: family, government, economics (science, technology and business), religion, education, media, and celebration (arts, entertainment and sports). In February, YWAM’s global prayer day, called The Invitation, will focus on the government sphere.

Malaysian court

We invite you to join us. “We may disagree with the judgement and policies of our political leaders and wish for greater character in them as persons. But we are still exhorted to pray for them,” said Jeff Fountain, formerly the leader of YWAM Europe and now the Director of the Schuman Centre for European Studies.

In his letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul said, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, ESV).

Get Ready to Pray

As you prepare to pray, read the article, “Praying for Local Governments.” This article was written for The Invitation by Jeff Fountain.

Spend time with God listening to what He has to say to you about your location. What are the key prayer concerns for your community and your city?

Think about your city government. What are the current issues? Is there unrest or stability? Is there volatility when leaders change? Are Christians being persecuted by the government? Identify and list key local government leaders. Be mindful how God views those in authority. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1)

Pray for Your Government

Suggested Prayer Points:

• Ask God to show you how to be the salt and light the world needs.
• If you are located in an area where unrest is common, where leadership changes often bring violence, where Christians are persecuted or where peace and stability does not exist, pray for a revival of people and leaders to know the truth and to live for God’s glory.
• If you are located in an area of peace and stability, thank God that you benefit from the influence of biblical ideas in the formation of your government.
• Pray for peace and stability.
• Pray for the local government leaders identified during your time of preparation, even for those with whom you don’t agree:
• For wisdom to execute justice well for the common good (Romans 13:3-4 and Jeremiah 29:7).
• For wise decisions for future generations.
• For open minds and listening ears.
• For discernment regarding religious issues and for healthy attitudes toward Christians.
• For effective stewardship of public resources.
• Pray that God will use unbelieving leaders to accomplish His purpose in your city.
• Pray for YWAM locations, that relations with local government leaders would be strengthened and that the government leaders would view YWAM as an organization with relevant answers and solutions.

Share how God Spoke to You

Share on YWAM’s page. Find the post for February 11, and add a comment about how you prayed.

Find YWAM on . Search for #praywithywam and tweet about your prayer time or post a picture.

Share with other YWAMers in person or through other channels.

Take Action

Identify a specific local government agency or leader. Become more intentional about praying for them. Partner with them to be a resource with solutions to problems.

Identify a local situation where there are social tensions. Seek God for how you could bring about social cohesion. Involve your church.

Reflect on 1 Peter 2:13-14, 16-17.

What does it look to be subject to every human institution? “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. . . Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

Reflect on God’s sovereignty over cities and nations: “Behold, the nations are a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands fine dust. . .

All the nations are as nothing before him, they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. . .

It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens a curtain, and spreads them a tent to dwell in; who brings princes to nothing, and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness” (Isaiah 40:15, 17, 22).

Learn more about spheres of influence.

How We Prayed

December 2015 – Horn of Africa and Where YWAM is Not

YWAM Durgapur, India prays for Africa

YWAM Durgapur (West Bengal, India) prayed and also submitted a report. They prayed for Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia, and Yemen as well as the Maldives, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

YWAM Dunham (Quebec, CN) brought staff and students together to pray. They also submitted a report sharing that they prayed for God to remove sinful thoughts from the hearts of men and that God would send more workers to this region.

YWAM’s East Africa Leadership Team prayed and reached out to YWAM Horn of Africa.

January 2016 – God’s Grace Flowing to the Muslim World 

Prayer leaf from YWAM in Colorado

Over 12,000 people have viewed the video, God’s Grace Flowing to the Muslim World, either on or .

YWAM Townsville, Australia prayed that the church’s fear toward Muslims would be diminished.

YWAM Rostrevor, Northern Ireland prayed for teams ministering to refugees in Europe and the Middle East.

Y 360 in Colorado Springs, United States prayed to let the grace of God flow into the Muslim world by proclaiming scripture and writing “Grace” on leaves and releasing them into a stream.

YWAM Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, was led to repent for the sins of fear and hatred regarding Muslims.

YWAM Harbour City, China tweeted that they prayed for breakthrough in the Muslim world.

YWAM Seamill, Scotland tweeted that they prayed for the Muslim world.

Leaders from the Western Area Circle Team of North America were gathered in Mexico and prayed on YWAM’s global prayer day.

Don’t Miss The Invitation

Sign up for prayer updates. On ywam.org, find the “Stay Connected” box on the home page or right-hand column, put in your email address and click “Sign Up.”

Download prayer updates in a specific language. Go to ywam.org/theinvitation. Currently available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Indonesian, or request other languages.

If you sense God giving you a word or a direction for YWAM’s prayer, please contact us.

Upcoming topics for The Invitation:

• March 10, 2016 – Praying for Areas and Where YWAM Is Not
• April 14, 2016 – Global Topic
• May 12, 2016 – Praying for Local Concerns (Location and Community)

Источник: //www.ywam.org/blog/2016/02/05/pray-for-governments/

What Esther Teaches Us About Good Leadership – ONE FOR ISRAEL Ministry

The book of Esther is a brilliant story with twists and turns of intrigue, disaster and breakthrough.

The key figures of power make an interesting study, but of course, it is the One behind the scenes who is really holding all the cards! When the evil Haman was in charge, we are told that the people were confused.

But when Mordecai the Jew was put in charge, they rejoiced. Here are a few thoughts on how different leadership affects the people and why.

This is what happened when Haman had influence over the king:

”An edict, according to all that Haman commanded, was written to the king’s satraps and to the governors over all the provinces and to the officials of all the peoples, to every province in its own script and every people in its own language… Letters were sent by couriers to all the king’s provinces with instruction to destroy, to kill, and to annihilate all Jews, young and old, women and children, in one day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar, and to plunder their goods… And the king and Haman sat down to drink, but the city of Susa was thrown into confusion.” Esther 3:12-15

Contrast this with the response of the people when Mordecai is put in charge:

“Then Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal robes of blue and white, with a great golden crown and a robe of fine linen and purple, and the city of Susa shouted and rejoiced.

The Jews had light and gladness and joy and honour. And in every province and in every city, wherever the king’s command and his edict reached, there was gladness and joy among the Jews, a feast and a holiday.

” Esther 8:15-17

Obviously, the Jews were pretty pleased about the whole thing, but it also says that the whole city of Susa “shouted and rejoiced”. People flourish, relax and rejoice when there’s a good guy in charge. And they get confused and lost with a bad leader at the helm.

At the end of a cheesy film, the bad guys are defeated, and the good guys win the day, we can relax and feel satisfaction and joy. We can relax when we know that the good guys are in control. You don’t have to be tense, nervous or anxious – the good guys are in charge, and everything’s under control.

God’s goodness and love are just pleasantries however, if he does not have control and sovereignty. But he does.

King David’s example

We can also see this in the contrast of Saul and David. Even when Saul was king, it was David who was the real leader. Saul consulted a witch, and David consulted the Lord. He led each step by asking God for direction.

In a way, David was cheating! Because it was really the leadership of the true Good Shepherd, giving him tips on what to do each step of the way. Here’s how the people responded to him:

“We are yours, O David, and with you, O son of Jesse!Peace, peace to you, and peace to your helpers!For your God helps you.”

(1 Chronicles 12:18)

Tales of his great leadership – love for his people, shepherd qualities and devotion those around him, appreciating their unique contributions – and most of all, his reliance on God’s wisdom rather than his own – come pouring through the pages of the Bible for us all to learn from. There was a LOT of rejoicing during the reign of King David.

It’s easy to think of other examples in the Scriptures too – of Daniel rather than the evil Satraps of the province of Babylon, of the good kings of Israel contrasting with the bad kings. But all this helps us to understand the importance of good leaders in our countries today, which the Bible commands us to pray for, whether we them or not.

We are commanded to pray for our leaders

The Bible instructs: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made forall people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

Someone has suggested that this might be one of the least-obeyed verses in scripture! Yet we are the ones who lose out when we fail to do as it says.

The world is accelerating ever forward and we are hurtling towards the fulfilment of prophecy in our times. But it is all under the sovereign and ever-watchful eye of God. Things are going to get bad before they get better, but God has good not lost control, nor misplaced his plans. Good news! God is still in charge!

Источник: //www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/light-and-gladness-and-joy-and-honour/

10 Ways Prayers are Hindered (#5 is Shocking)

Prayers are an important part of Christian life. They are worship, supplication, and confession; therefore, we don’t want them to be hindered. (See 3 requirements for effectual fervent prayer: ask, seek, and knock) If you don’t want your prayers hindered, stop doing these ten things.

1) Prayers are hindered by lack of love

All the virtue that is saving, and that distinguishes true Christians from others, is summed up in Christian love. When that love is missing or corrupted, then our prayers are hindered.

Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” (Luke 6:38)

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. (Proverbs 21:13)

Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends. (Proverbs 17:9 GWT)

2) Prayers are hindered by pride and selfishness

Pride and selfishness are the opposite of Christian love, so it’s obvious they hinder prayer.

When you pray for things, you don’t get them because you want them for the wrong reason-for your own pleasure. (James 4:3)

3) Prayers are hindered by unbelief and doubt (the absence of faith)

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn’t find fault with them. When you ask for something, don’t have any doubts.

A person who has doubts is a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn’t expect to receive anything from the Lord.

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. (John 15:16)

• 1001 Verses about faith
• Faith cometh by hearing
• Faith is the substance

4) Prayers are hindered by disobedience

Once we know the will of God on any subject, it is disobedience and rebellion to continue to pray for a different answer on that subject. If we aren’t doers of what we know we should do, it will hinder our prayers. We need to obey God and please him for our prayers to be answered.

What the wicked fears will come upon him, But the desire of the righteous will be granted. (Proverbs 10:24)

Dear friends, if our conscience doesn’t condemn us, we can boldly look to God and receive from him anything we ask. We receive it because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him. (1 John 3:21-22 GWT)

• God of Peace
• God is a consuming fire

5) Prayers are hindered by family discord and strife

The marriage relationship was ordained by God in the first few chapters of the Bible. It was part of the first 6 days of creation. God made everything that was made and he looked at it and said, “it was good.

” Then he looked at man and said, “it is not good that man should dwell alone,” so he made a helper fit for him. Man and woman were created by God in a special way to complement and finish each other. This relationship is used as a model of Jesus Christ and the church of his children.

When this relationship is filled with ungodly discord and strife, everything suffers.

Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with understanding since they are weaker than you are. Honor your wives as those who share God’s life-giving kindness so that nothing will interfere1465 Egkoptó with your prayers. (1 Peter 3:7)

1465 egkóptō(from 1722 /en, “in” and 2875 /kóptō, “cut”) – properly, cut into ( blocking off a road); hinder (A-S) by “introducing an obstacle that stands sharply in the way of a moving object” (Souter); (figuratively) sharply impede, by cutting off what is desired or needed; to block (hinder).

6) Prayers are hindered by unforgiveness

The cornerstone of the Christian faith is Jesus Christ died for sins. Jesus Christ paid for sins. Jesus Christ forgives sins. If you do not understand forgiveness enough to forgive others, then your faith is so small that it is tantamount to unbelief. In that case, don’t expect any prayers to be answered except prayers of confession.

“This is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven. Give us our daily bread today. Forgive us as we forgive others.

 Don’t allow us to be tempted. Instead, rescue us from the evil one. “If you forgive the failures of others, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failures.

 (Matthew 6:12-15 GWT)

And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against any: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses. (Mark 11:25-26)

7) Prayers are hindered by lack of reconciliation

I love the picture that is developed by combining Matthew 5 with Matthew 18. If two people have a disagreement where one has something against the other, they both meet each other to reconcile. The one, who was wronged by the other, going to correct and restore the other. And the one, who has wronged the other, going to confess and reconcile to the other.

“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. (Matthew 5:23-24)

8) Prayers are hindered by unconfessed sins

The Apostle John spent most of his life encouraging saints to have a relationship with God. In 1 John 1, he reminds us that our relationship with each other depends on our relationship with God. These relationships depend on the kind of lives we’re living. If we’re living in unconfessed sin, we cannot be living in close intimate relationship with God.

• If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: (Psalm 66:18 KJV)
• If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; (Psalm 66:18 NIV)
• If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. (Psalm 66:18 NLT)
• Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore. (Isaiah 59:2)

Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

• What about self-righteousness? (the damnable sin of justifying yourself)

9) Prayers are hindered by religion and idolatry

The people of Israel in the time of Hosea weren’t living outrageous profligate wild party lives. They were deeply profoundly piously religious, yet God rebuked their works and turned his back on them. It was true for them and it will be true for us.

For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him. I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early. (Hosea 5)

Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me.

And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them? Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. (Ezekiel 14:1-5)

“I called, and you refused to listen. I stretched out my hands to you, and no one paid attention. You ignored all my advice. You did not want me to warn you. I will laugh at your calamity.

They will look for me, but they will not find me, (Proverbs 1:24-28 GWT)

10) Prayers are hindered when not in God’s will

One of the most important requirements of effectual fervent prayer is seeking God’s will. Even when Jesus prayed to his father, he sought the will of the father over his own will. Our prayers will be hindered if we don’t do the same thing.

And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (1 John 5:14)

The solution to hindered prayers

• 3 requirements for effectual fervent prayer: ask, seek, and knock — The 3 requirements for fervent effectual prayer are ask, seek, and knock. The Christian life is an active life, it motivates, and it works. You need to ask the will of God. You need to actively seek the answer. Then, you have to put the answer into action. All 3 of these are required. Don’t expect a godly answer and good results without all three.
• 10 mistakes most people make when praying — We need to pray Jesus taught his disciples in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. But, most of us can’t. We don’t believe God is that accessible. We don’t believe God is that close. We don’t believe God is that attentive. So, we make some of the following mistakes, which impede our prayer life.
• 20 Things Godly Christians Do Every Day — Here are 20 things that godly Christians should do every day. There could be fewer if some of these were combined. There could be more. But, these 20 are plenty to think about. Most Christians should do most of these every day. If you don’t think you need to do some of them, I hope you will do the rest of them and check up on yourself.

Books:

Источник: //www.bibletruths.org/10-ways-prayers-hindered/

20 Bible Verses about Prayer

Tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer in the U.S. and all week here at FaithGateway we are featuring articles by popular Christian authors and verses about prayer to provide you with encouragement to pray for our nation and your local communities.

To kick off our commemorations, we’ve collected a list of 20 Bible Verses about Prayer.  As you read through these scriptures about prayer, be encouraged.

 It is our prayer for you that God will help you understand more fully the depth of His love for you and His great desire for you to walk with Him daily in prayer.

God invites the followers of Christ to boldly approach Him with their praises, thoughts, needs, hurts, hopes and requests. ─ NIV Quickview Bible



Bible Verses about Prayer – God hears our prayers

Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.─ Psalms 4:3

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.─ 1 John 5:14

Bible Verses about Prayer – Lay your requests before God

Listen to my words, Lord,consider my lamentHear my cry for help,my King and my God,for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait expectantly.

─ Psalms 5:1-3

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  ─ Philippians 4:6-7

Bible Verses about Prayer – How to pray

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ─ Colossians 4:2

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ─ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.─ Matthew 26:41

Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.─ 1 Timothy 2:8

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.─ Matthew 6:7-8

This, then, is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven.Give us today 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 the evil one.’

─ Matthew 6:9-13

For more reading on how to pray, check out this article from John Eldredge about how prayer works.

Bible Verses about Prayer – Jesus’s example

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.─ Mark 1:35

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. “Abba,Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”─ Mark 14:35-36

One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.─ Luke 6:12

For further reading about praying in Jesus’ name, check out our blog post from Ann Spangler about praying the names of Jesus.

Bible Verses about Prayer– Confession and Forgiveness

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.─ Mark 11:25

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.─ James 5:16

Bible Verses about Prayer – Give Praise to God!

On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. ─ Acts 4:23-24

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.─ 1 Corinthians 1:4

Bible Verses about Prayer – Pray for peace and for our leaders

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—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

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! ─ Psalm 122:6

Save us, we pray, O Lord! O Lord, we pray, give us success!─ Psalm 118:25

Your Turn

We hope these Bible verses about prayer have inspired you to start a meaningful conversation with the Lord.

After all, that’s what prayer is all about, isn’t it? Do you keep a prayer list at home, perhaps something you write in a journal or on a chalkboard or another place where you have a daily visual reminder? Do you go back and look at past prayer requests and record answered prayers? Leave a comment and let us know the importance of prayer in your walk with the Lord. If you want to learn how to set up a specific place for prayer, read this helpful article from Anne Graham Lotz excerpted from her book The Daniel Prayer about making a prayer space in your home. ~ FaithGateway

Источник: //www.faithgateway.com/bible-verses-about-prayer/

Top 7 Bible Verses About Government and Government Power

Here are seven Bible verses that refer to government or governmental power.

Psalm 22:28 “For kingship belongs to the Lord, and he rules over the nations.”

God is sovereign over all nations. We might think that man reigns but where mankind rules, God overrules and all do whatever He decrees and wills. Daniel the Prophet was well aware of this in saying about God; “He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Dan 2:21-22).

Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.”

When you read Romans chapter 13 it is clear that the Apostle Paul expects us to obey those who are in authority over since “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment” (Rom 13:2).

See those in who are in authority for what they are; “God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.

Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience” (Rom 13:4-5)

Romans 13:7 “Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.”

This is exactly what Jesus taught when the Pharisees joined with their natural enemies, the Herodians, because they had the same enemy and that was Jesus Christ, so they tried to trick Him (Matt 22:15-18) by asking Him “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Matt 22:17) and so “he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s” (Matt 22:21) and “When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away” (Matt 22:22), or just gave up.

Proverbs 21:1 “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will.”

If ever this said who is sovereign over mankind, this does.

The king’s heart, whether he knows it or not, is a stream of water in the hands of the Lord and He will direct it, turn it, or move it “wherever he will” and it is always for our ultimate best (Rom 8:28).

It might not seem it at the time but God can use evil for good (Gen 50:20. Just look how God used the evil work done to Jesus by murdering the sinless Son of God but it turned for our good (John 3:16).

Deuteronomy 16:18 “You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.”

God is always highly concerned that righteousness is behind every court decision and in ancient Israel, God said “You shall not pervert justice.

You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of the righteous.

Justice, and only justice, you shall follow, that you may live and inherit the land that the Lord your God is giving you” (Deut 16:19-20). Only when man’s laws conflict with God’s law must we say, the Apostle Peter, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29b).

Titus 3:1 “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work.”

Paul reminds Titus that the church must live in submission to the local authorities for that is by God’s sovereign design.

The Apostle Peter wrote we are to “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good” (1st Peter 2:13-14) because “this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people” (1st Pet 2:15).

First Timothy 2:1-2 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

In the next to the last letters that Paul would ever write, he instructs Timothy to make sure that we pray for those in authority since God put them there for His purposes.

We can lead a peaceful and quite life if we live lives of obedience in society.

The reason is first, it is the right thing to do (Rom 13:1-7) and “This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1st Tim 2:3-4).

Conclusion

There is no power that is in place today that has not allowed by God, and as such, He will use them for His purposes and nothing can stop what He has already decreed from before time began (Eph 1), so if you are a Christian, you are commanded to obey those in authority over you, but only if it doesn’t break one of God’s laws. For those of you who refuse to repent and believe, Paul writes that it is “because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed” (Rom 2:5) and for a certainty, “He will render to each one according to his works” (Rom 2:6).

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Teaching Children the Gospel available on Amazon.

Источник: //www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2016/03/10/top-7-bible-verses-about-government-and-government-power/