In a time where people love to mock “thoughts and prayers” as inaction against evil, we must remember that prayer is the greatest action we can take.
“John Knox prayed, and the results caused Queen Mary to say that she feared the prayers of John Knox more than she feared all the armies of Scotland. John Wesley prayed, and revival came to England, sparing that nation the horrors of the French Revolution. Jonathan Edwards prayed, and revival spread throughout the American colonies. History has been changed time after time because of prayer. I tell you, history could be changed again if people went to their knees in believing prayer. Even when times are bleak and the world scorns God, He still works through the prayers of His people. Pray today for revival in your nation, and around the world.” ― Billy Graham, Hope for Each Day: Words of Wisdom and Faith
Before our Lord and savior went to the cross, he prayed. His disciples were afraid and emotional, so they escaped into sleep. But, Jesus prayed.
They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
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.”
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Mark 14:32-42
I love how Jesus is still teaching his disciples selflessly in his hour of taking on darkness. He teaches them that when their souls are overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death – they should pray. What keeps us from prayer? Our flesh. It is weak. It wants to fall asleep. It wants to rest and escape. But, God wants to give us strength through prayer.
While we don’t know what the future holds, God does. We don’t know what trials will come upon our children. God does. We don’t know what it will take to win the battles. God does. When we learn to wait upon the Lord, we will renew our strength. When we pray for our children, we are running interference for them – taking out spiritual enemies and building them up in power.
God will answer our prayers. We must come before him with an unshaken faith. And where our faith is weak, ask for him to strengthen it.
Jesus spent his last hours praying for God to rescue his disciples and prepare them for the battle. He told Peter that Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, but that he had prayed for him, so that when he was restored he would turn and strengthen his fellow brothers.
You may be going through a trial yourself. You may be watching your children traverse dangerous waters. But, whatever you do, don’t give up faith. Don’t stop praying. May people know that when you pray, the gates of hell shudder and the hand of God moves.
Don’t let others with little or no faith block you from experiencing the power of God through sincere, heartfelt and faith filled prayer and fasting.
Scripture Prayer – Psalm 103:11-13
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Adaptation-
Lord, your ways are higher than my ways. I do not completely understand your grace and forgiveness. I cannot comprehend the love you give us and the clean slate you provide through Jesus Christ our Lord. But, today, I ask anyway. Please pour your love out into the hearts of my children. Where there is sin, please remove that sin as far as the east is from the west.
May my children understand and walk in your grace, that you have removed our transgressions. I pray for your total forgiveness to be poured out on my children and grandchildren. Do not allow old family sin patterns to reign in their lives. Break the curses of generational sin, as outlined in the Ten Commandments, in Jesus’ name. May we walk in righteousness and freedom.
Lord, pour out your compassion on my family. Reveal your father’s heart to my children. Let them experience the closeness and security of walking in your truth. It says in your word you will not remember our sin. I pray and stand on that today. I ask that your Spirit will lead my children into repentance. I ask that my children and grandchildren will be sensitive to your Spirit, so they can hear from you and turn to you and walk with you all the days of their lives. I pray that your mercy will define their lives, releasing them from all judgement and shame, in Jesus’ name.
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