Do you sometimes wonder what to pray for specifically? I pray for a lot of things and a lot of people, but the other morning I was sitting in my quiet time and decided to ask God what He wanted me to pray for instead of my usual list. God wants us to have conversations with Him and we can ask questions and then listen and pay attention for the answers.
During my journaling and Bible reading that followed, I did what I sometimes do when I am not sure where to read; I held up my Bible and asked God to open it at a place He wanted me to read. On this occasion, it opened near the back of my Bible past all the books of Scripture. At first, I was not sure what to read, but it did not take long to notice one of the headings that read, “God Gets the Glory; We Get the Joy” under the section called “Reading the Bible” in the back of my study Bible. As I began to read the first paragraph, there it was, in the first sentence: “The Bible shows that prayer is near the heart of why God created the world” (English Standard Version). I am still amazed when God does these things. This is one of the many reasons I am in awe of Him every single day. It went on to say that when we pray, God gets the glory, and we get the joy.
In summary, this led me to three specific prayers that we should pray for as we make our longing for God’s name to be hallowed in the world, as central to our prayers. #1: For God’s church (all over the world) to be filled with the fruit of righteousness, to the glory and praise of God (Col. 4:3-4). #2: For the Gospel to spread and awaken faith in Jesus, among all nations (Romans 10:1). #3: That the many who do not believe would be saved (Romans 10:1).
The aim of God’s word and the aim of prayer are the same: For the Glory of God and salvation of the nations through Jesus Christ. As an example, Jesus told his disciples how to pray as we see in Matthew 6:9-13. To hallow God’s name is to make it holy, greatly revered, and honored. We also see another prayer by Paul for spiritual strength in Ephesians 3:14-21. I am grateful for the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts.
The prayer for awakened faith reminds me of a song we sing at church that has stuck with me this week and was prominent on my mind at every waking moment during the night. It is called, “God of Revival” by Bethel Music. This is also a beautiful prayer for our city and people. I know in my own journey after becoming a Christ follower, it felt like I had just woken up from a self-induced stupor and that I had slept walked for most of my life. I hope you will join me in praying for a great awakening and revival and if you get a chance listen to this song.
“The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)
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