Prayer for others


By Jim Killebrew

[November 16, 2014]  The world seems in turmoil more and more each day. Evil has taken over the Middle East, Russia seems poised to seriously invade in Ukraine after their take-over of Crimea. It was not enough for Russia to annex that land between the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. ISIS or ISIL continues their movement from Syria to Iraq establishing for themselves a Caliphate of operations from which to launch more terror. The civil war in Syria continues to rage on and diplomats all over the world representing their home countries are debating for a place in the world that seemingly is more hostile than ever before. That is especially true since in our modern times we have the ability to wage war with nuclear weapons that could presumably be more deadly that all the other wars combined.

On the domestic front we have passed through rigorous elections, multiple scandals, been recipients of actual terrorist attacks and some thwarted ones as well, and experienced an increase in divisions of all kinds. So, without a doubt we should pray for those around us who need our prayers. Billy Graham was heard to say one day, "There are more things wrought with prayer than anyone knows." Without a doubt our country, other nations in our world, and each individual in the world needs to turn to their Creator, talk to Him in prayer and acknowledge Him and His power through prayer. This one is offered as a petition for everyone of us to lift up our eyes toward the Heavenly Father and acknowledge Him. From my perspective, as a Christian, my prayer is offered to the God of creation through the name of Jesus.

********

Father we know that you are Just and you are gracious in your acts toward us. As we approach your throne touch us with your hot coal of forgiveness and melt away the sins we have committed against you. We acknowledge you as the God of Creation and know of your Sovereignty and Power. We acknowledge that you alone have the great power to forgive the sins we have perpetrated against you. We are seeking to turn from those sins and be made whole in you through Jesus your Son, and ask that you cover us with His blood so that when you look upon us as we present ourselves at your throne you will see only the blood that Jesus has shed for us and our sins will not be seen.

We kneel before you in humility; knowing that your Grace is sufficient for us. We thank you for the wonderful plan of salvation that you have offered to us through the work that Jesus did on the cross. We acknowledge that as we yield ourselves to His sinless life and ultimate sacrifice as He willingly gave His own life even to death that He freely gives us eternal life in accordance with your previously designed plan of salvation. We offer sincere thanks to you for such a blessing that bridges the gap between you and ourselves and allows us to re-enter that loving relationship with you.

Even as Jesus gave his life as a sacrifice we acknowledge that in your great Sovereignty and Grace you accepted his sacrifice as a substitute for all of our lives. But in your great Wisdom we acknowledge that through your great power of forgiveness for us and acceptance of His work on the cross you raised Him from death and gave Him a name above all names, and it is in His name we are confessing and our knees are bowed as we call Him LORD and Savior. At your command Jesus has ascended to the Most High and sits on the throne of Righteousness and Salvation and has offered His free gift to each of us who are willing to accept.

From a thankful heart toward you Father, we thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to indwell our spirits and lives to fill us with His power so He can continue to produce life and works through us in regard to your great plan of salvation and the work that Jesus did on the cross. We will praise you forever in eternity as we join the great host of witnesses singing Holy, Holy, Holy, and LORD God Almighty.

But Father, while we are still here as part of your Creation we humbly ask that you allow us the privilege to approach your Throne with requests for our fellow men and women who may not yet know your loving kindness:

For those who have heard you and seen the works of your power, but still refuse to acknowledge that you exist, we ask that you continue to reveal yourself in various ways either directly or through your servants, so that the unbeliever may yield to the reality of your presence and bend their knees toward you.

For those who have listened to your message for years of their lives and have acknowledged that you do exist but have refused to accept your gift of Grace, we ask that you will present yourself one more time with the tender call for them to come to you and yield their lives in love, grace and forgiveness to become one with you through Jesus your Son.

For those who have heard your message and accepted it and have submitted to your will in the past, but have become cold and callous having been caught up in the world of the law of sin and death once again, reviving their own sin-nature, we ask that you whisper the call to them once again and soften their heart to again turn from sin and return to your Righteousness and life.

For those who live in parts of the world who have never heard of your Grace and have never been given the opportunity to accept your love, we ask that you will renew the hearts of many who are committed to you in such a way that they will become your instrument to share your good news with those in the most barren parts of the world. Let them hear for the first time and willingly submit themselves to the fullness of your Grace and complete submission to the blood of Jesus the Christ.

Finally, Father we ask knowing that you are not willing for any to perish, but all should come to repent and accept you, we ask that your Will be done in all matters of our petitions and that if it is your Will you return quickly to establish your Kingdom and usher us into eternity.

In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

[By JIM KILLEBREW]