Prayer Fuel

Pray as the Lord leads you as you read today’s verse

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’” (Matthew 7:21-23) ESV

Praying with insight

In Islam, someone becomes a Muslim simply by reciting the shahada (Islamic declaration of faith) with conviction. Jesus says merely saying ‘Lord, Lord’ will not be enough to enter the kingdom of heaven. Today, as you pray for these people, ponder what it means to do the will of the Father who is in heaven. Pray for lost people to be saved by Jesus and for saved people in this region to become like Jesus.

For believers

Samir asked, “To become a Muslim, you must say the shahada. What do you say to become a Christian?” A brother answered, “In Romans, it says ‘…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ However, it is not simply saying a phrase; there must be a heart that surrenders to Jesus as the one with authority, a heart that obeys.” Jesus, you are Lord. You have all authority in heaven and earth. We pray that the believers of this area will follow their teacher and Lord and do what he says.

For the lost

“What good is there for women in Jannah (paradise)? Men are promised virgins and wine, but what do women have to look forward to? Can you tell me more about what Paradise means for followers of Jesus?” Belkis inquired of her friend. Her heart had been drawn to Christianity for a while, as she began to reject inconsistencies and hypocrisy in the religion she grew up in. Though she liked much of what she heard about Jesus and his way, she balked at his Lordship. She wanted to take the things she liked about Jesus and leave the things that made her uncomfortable. Pray for Belkis and multitudes like her who want to take blessing from Jesus and his teachings without submitting to his authority and Lordship over every dimension of their lives. Stir in them a fear of hearing Jesus’ words, ‘I never knew you.’

For the church

In Matthew 10:26-33, Jesus tells his followers not to fear and that “…whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” We pray for simple churches among these people who would trust Jesus’ teaching, be strengthened by His Spirit, and, with grace and wisdom, acknowledge Christ before others. We also pray for brothers and sisters who, in moments of persecution, have denied Christ out of fear. Restore them to yourself, just as you did Peter after he denied you three times.

For areas of influence

Places of Government

Jesus, you send your disciples out as sheep among wolves. When they are delivered over to courts, government, and religion, and when they stand before governors and kings, we pray today that they will not be anxious about how to speak or what to say. Pray that believers who go before courts in this place would have countless testimonies of how “…what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19-20)

To those who watch how believers act in such moments — judges, lawyers, officials — may they be drawn to the Jesus that these men and women follow. May they repent of being ‘workers of lawlessness’. (Matthew 7:23)

Declaration of the scripture

Miracles, prophecies, and mighty works do not rescue us; we must be known by God. Spirit of God, we pray that the lost in this land will hear and believe and come to know Jesus and be known by him. May they hear the truth of the gospel and really believe and know you, that you have loved them first and long for them to come to you. Would they see how you are lovingly wooing them? Let them love you, know you, and do the will of the Father. Those who love you, will obey you. (John 15:14)