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.
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.
(1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile,
and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.
(Jeremiah 29:7 ESV)
Righteousness exalts a nation,
but sin is a reproach to any people.
(Proverbs 14:34 ESV)
Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
(Proverbs 11:14 ESV)
Do you ever find yourself struggling with how to pray for your community? An organization in our area has asked the churches to pray – each church taking one day of the month – and then sends an email suggesting ways in which to pray. I invite you to use this as a model for one hour of praying for your community, wherever you are, and asking God’s intervention and blessing to be upon your home area.
5 min Praise
Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Take some time to declare what you are thankful for in your life. You could also sing some hymns or choruses.
Thank God for specific events in which you see God working in your community.
5 min Meditating on God’s Greatness.
There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might. (Jer. 10: 6)
For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. (Ps.96:4)
I said, “I beseech You, O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and loving kindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments. (Neh. 1:5)
Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel. (Is. 12:6)
Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men. (Ps. 66:5)
And the God of Peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. (Rom. 16:20)
5 min Confession of sin
Personal Confessions – Read I John 1:9, and offer up your personal shortcomings and sins.
Corporate Confessions – for the church in our community:
- Spiritual sluggishness through the summer.
- A lack of the true fear of God in the church.
- Insular thinking
Area Confessions – for our community:
- Repent for the drug culture that is in our streets
- Repent for our state, for and ungodly acts signed into law by the legislature and governor.
5 min Praying the Scriptures over our area.
- I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18
- O Lord, I have heard your speech and was afraid: O Lord, revive your work in the midst of the years. In the midst of the years make it known; In wrath remember mercy (Hab. 3:2)
- Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” (Rom. 12:16)
- Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32)
- We pray for the peace and prosperity of our county that we are pilgrims in. We pray for it to prosper and be in peace, in Jesus’ name. (Jer. 29:7)
- Father, we declare that our city is rejoicing because it is going well with the uncompromisingly righteous. By the blessing of the influence of the UPRIGHT, we call our city EXALTED. Bless the upright people, leaders and businesses in our region. (Prov. 11:10-11)
5 min Praying over Specific Areas of Need in our County
- Pray for the Lord to protect the lives of those enjoying our tourist attractions.
- Pray for families and children as they prepare to go back to school.
- Stand against suicide and mental illness in our community
- Continue to stand against violence and strife in our community.
- Pray for those in leadership in our school systems to make wise decisions. Pray against the teachings in our schools that would divide us racially and along gender lines and would teach ungodly versions of sexuality.
10 min Interceding for Our Leaders – Call their names out to the Lord!
- Pray for wisdom for our County Commission.
- Lift up our County Administrator. Pray for wisdom, and the ability to accurately manage our county.
- Pray for police officers who had to use deadly force to save a woman’s life. Even though the shooting was justified, they deal with the aftermath. Pray as well for the police officers as they have seen 3 officers killed in the state in the last few months. It affects them.
- Pray for wisdom for our county officials concerning these issues:
Affordable housing
Common Sense Landfill solutions for our county
State intrusion into small farms in our county
5 min Pray for Personal Church Petitions.
- Pray for families as they are preparing for school to start
- Pray for church staff and leaders as they are making plans for the fall and for 2025
- Pray for Wisdom, Guidance, and His will to be done
- Pray that the body would find their unique place in God and find purpose and fulfillment
- Pray that the body would continue to be bold in their faith and in sharing Jesus
- Pray for the starting up of new ministries to spread the Hope, Light, and Healing of Jesus Christ
10 min Pray for the Church in Our County.
- Pray for revival in our churches and a spiritual awakening throughout this county.
- Continue to pray for summer outreaches, especially to the children in our county.
- Pray that churches would find their spiritual rhythm.
- Pray that the church would have the wisdom of the Sons of Issachar to know what we should do in this hour.
- Pray against fear that would paralyze the church; pray that the church would move forward in faith no matter what comes in the future.
- Pray against government overreach into the church. Jesus is Lord over the church not the government.
5 min Waiting on God and Listening
5 min Praise and Thanksgiving