Prayer Fuel

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

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” (Matthew 5:6) ESV

Praying with insight

True righteousness is achieved only through the blood of Jesus, with him being “made sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor 5:21). For all human beings, including Muslims, our tendency is to think that somehow, if we work hard enough, pray the right way, give sacrificially enough, fast severely enough, we will gain favor with God by our own righteousness. This self-righteous thinking spits on the cross and declares Jesus’ blood unnecessary. Forgive us, Lord. May Muslims—and all people—see that the Scriptures repeatedly reveal that we cannot make ourselves righteous. May Muslims feel the weight of the impossibility of rescuing themselves and instead hunger and thirst for true righteousness through the cross.

For believers

The six children were jumping on beds, dreaming up imaginary houses for dolls, and talking all at once. But Asmae sat on the floor, her back against the wall, reading the words of Jesus, completely ignoring everything else. One of the children fell and her toe bled, but Asmae continued to read, hungry to hear and know Jesus. She knew that dinner needed to be made, and many tasks for her large family were left undone. Asmae wondered how she could keep learning about Jesus with so many demands on her life and time. This first love of Jesus and His Word was beautiful and all-consuming. In the end, her many responsibilities and fears pushed aside reading the words of Jesus. Pray for believers to return to their first love and be satisfied only with Jesus.

For the lost

Maryam sat at the shop, waiting for someone to weigh out herbs to help with her stomach issues. Five other women were there waiting, and having a discussion. Maryam asked one of them, “Do you know the story of Noah? Of Moses?” When she heard about the ark and how God provided only one way of rescue from the flood, she said, “That is grace.” “Yes,” the believer agreed, “there is no other way to live except the one way of salvation,” and she went on to quote John 1:4-5. Maryam, shockingly, agreed verbally and then went on to ask about Moses, listening as the woman told about the Passover Lamb and how Jesus Himself was that Lamb. She said, “I love to hear these stories. I want to come and listen to them again. Let’s meet again at this shop.” Praise God for her hunger. Although the believer has gone to the shop most days, they have not seen each other there again. Pray that Maryam’s hunger and thirst will be satisfied in Jesus, that she will listen to true stories of Jesus from other believers, and that she will share the stories with others. Ask for others like her who long to hear; may they unashamedly ask, and may God’s children be unashamed and bold in speaking the gospel.

For the church

Lord, we ask for you to purify your church, your bride. May the beauty of grace not lull anyone into thinking that you are tolerant of sin. Sin destroys. As your children gather, may they confess their sins to one another and be healed (James 5:16). Let each one recognize that their righteousness is only because of Jesus. May they forgive quickly and receive forgiveness. Let them know the power of the cross to burn away all wood, hay, stubble, and straw and leave the gold and silver, the works of Christ’s righteousness built on the foundation of Jesus (1 Cor 3:12-13).

For areas of influence

Pray for places of government in this region. Father, we ask for Daniels and Josephs in the government. We pray for blameless ones dressed in the righteousness of Jesus, for whom no one can find fault except in their devotion to God. May these righteous ones “open wide” their windows to pray and display their love for you without fear. Please give them gifts of interpretation, discernment, or any gift the Spirit chooses to reveal and glorify Jesus. May those who work alongside them, over them, or under them hunger and thirst for the righteousness they see displayed, and come to Jesus.

Declaration of the scripture

Jesus, you alone can satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts. Today, we intercede on behalf of the people here, asking for you to stir a deep hunger for righteousness among different parts of society:

• Among the stay-at-home moms.
• Among the imams (Islamic religious leaders).
• Among the farmers.
• Among the soldiers.
• Among the nurses.