This year’s edition of The Prayer Bulletin is
designed to help you pray “outside the box.”
I use this phrase to describe selfish praying. Too many times we are guilty are focusing only on what directly
concerns us. Our praying consists
primarily of selfish concerns. Our
Father does want us to bring our needs and concerns to Him, “Cast all your care
on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Jesus teaches us to come to our Father and to
ask of Him, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and
the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7).
Your heavenly Father longs for you to
pray for the people around you. He
desires that you intercede concerning the issues of the day. He yearns for you to minister to your area
through prayer. God’s call to you is
summed up in Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being
watchful and thankful.”
In Matthew 22:39, Jesus sums up
the law by saying, “And the second is like it, ‘Love your neighbor as
yourself.’” God calls on us to love our
neighbors as ourselves. This is His
will. It is the desire of His heart. A part of loving your neighbor is praying
for your neighbor. If you love your
neighbor, you will talk to God about him or her. In January, focus on praying for your neighbors. Yet, keep in mind, that your neighbor is
anybody and everybody that you come into contact with daily. The following prayer guide is offered to
help you pray this month for your neighbor.
This prayer guide is based on the acrostic “H.O.M.E.S.”
Health (Exodus 15:26)
q
Plead that God’s
healing power would be released in the home.
q
Pray that God would
help and encourage those who are suffering in the home.
Office (Ecclesiastes 3:22; 1 Corinthians 10:31)
q
Ask God to bless the
work of each person in the home.
q
Ask that God would help
them with work-related pressure.
Money (Matthew 6:33, 1 Timothy 6:17-18)
q
Pray that God would
give greater finances to the home.
q
Ask God to give each
home the wisdom to use money.
Emotions (Psalm 147:3, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, Luke 4:18)
q
Pray that God would
grant healthy, loving relationships among the family members.
q
Plead that God would
deal with any problems in the home.
q
Ask God to grant
emotional healing to those who are hurting and wounded.
Spiritual
needs (John 3:16, 1 Peter 2:1-2)
q
Plead that each person
in the home would have a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
q
Pray that each person
in the home will grow in faith.
q
Ask God to remove any
hindrances that would keep the family from Christ and spiritual growth.
q
Pray that the family
will be diligent in a local church.
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
Jeremiah 29 is the account of a
letter from the prophet Jeremiah to the exiles in Babylon. In this letter, Jeremiah shared the word of
the Lord with the exiles. He makes
known to them what God desired for them.
What did God want these people to do in Babylon? He says, “Also, seek the peace and
prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers,
you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:7).
It was God’s will for them to make a difference where they were
living. The primary way they would do
this is by praying for the city where God placed them.
God’s will is the same for you. He desires that you make a difference where
you are living. You are living where
you are because God has placed you there, “From one man he made every nation of
men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set
for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26). You are living in the place where God has
planted you. He now desires that you
exercise powerful spiritual influence in this place. Like the exiles, He wants you to seek the prosperity and peace of
the area. How can you do this? You can do this by praying for your
community, city, or area.
During February, pray specifically for
your community, city, or area. Stand in
the gap for the area where you live.
The following prayer guide is offered to help you do this. It is based on the acrostic “B.L.E.S.S.”
Bind the
power of the enemy (Mark 1:25-26)
q
Pray that the works of
the evil one will be bound and destroyed.
q
Ask that the captives
in your area will be set free.
q
Plead that crime would
be exposed and destroyed.
Loose the
power of the Holy Spirit (John 6:44,
16:7-9)
q
Plead that the Holy
Spirit will draw the lost to Jesus Christ.
q
Ask that the Spirit
will convict and revive the churches in your area.
q
Pray that the Spirit
will create openness to the Word of God in your area.
Encounter
with the gospel (Matthew 28:19-20)
q
Pray that believers
will be burdened to share the gospel with the lost.
q
Plead that believers
will pray fervently for the lost.
q
Ask that every person
in your area will hear the gospel.
Surrender
to Jesus Christ (Acts 16:30-31)
q
Plead that people
throughout your area will hate their sin and repent.
q
Ask that the people
throughout your area will trust Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Service in
the church (Acts 2:42)
q
Pray that each member
of the home will be a faithful member of a local Christian church.
q
Plead that each member
of the home will be active in the life and ministry of a local Christian
church.
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
Read
the following verses: Psalm 42:1-2, 63:1, 73:25-26; John 17:3. These verses show that believers are to have
a hunger for God. The believer is to be
characterized by a thirsting after the things of God. The Word of God reveals that this is the will of God. God is worthy of this. At the same time, this is the great need of
our lives. During this month, will you
pray for spiritual hunger throughout your area?
For Your Personal Life:
Father, I ask that I would hunger for You. I pray that I will thirst for Your Word. O God, I plead that You will be my greatest desire and top priority. Set me free from anything that I would hunger for more than You and Your Word. Reveal Yourself to me and enable me to know You like never before in my life. Amen.
For Your Child Or A Child You
Know:
Father, I pray that ____________ would hunger for You. I plead that _______________ will thirst for Your Word. I ask that You would be the greatest desire of his/her life. O God, there are so many people and things that are laboring for _____________’s life and desire. Set him/her free from youthful lusts and foolishness. O God, I pray that __________ will desire You and Your Word above anything and everything in the world. Amen.
Father, I plead that my church would hunger for You above all things. O God, create within us a thirst for You and Your Word. I pray that nothing will be a greater desire or higher priority in our church than You. Remove anything that we have placed before You in our desires and affections. Amen.
For Other Churches In Your Area:
Father, I thank You for my brothers and sisters in Christ. I praise You for saving them. I ask in the name of Jesus that they would hunger and thirst for You. O God, stir within them the desire to seek You with all their being. I ask that You would be their great desire and top priority. Deliver them from placing anything or anybody above You and Your Word. Amen.
For The Lost In Your Area:
Father, I ask You to convict the lost in this area of their sin and lostness. I plead that they will see how shallow and empty their lifestyles are. Teach them that their way is the way of death. It may appear right and comfortable to them. Yet, it is leading them to deception, death, and eternal damnation. I ask that You would create within them a hunger for You. O God, well up within them a thirst for Your Word. I pray that they will seek You and will become followers of Jesus. Save them by Your mighty power and grace. Amen.
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
God has given your church the privilege
and responsibility of sharing the gospel with the lost around you (Matthew
28:19-20). He desires that your
church faithfully and fervently declare the truth of salvation to your whole
community. The only way that you will
be able to do this is by praying for the witness of your church. During this month, you can pray daily for
your church’s witness.
Monday:
Father, I pray that my church would see this lost world as You see it (John 3:16).
Tuesday:
Holy
Spirit, I plead that You will give my church a burden concerning lost people
and their need to repent and believe in Jesus (Romans 9:1-3).
Wednesday:
I
pray that my church will be salt and light in the midst of this lost
world. Grant us a righteous influence
with all those that we come into contact with on a daily basis (Matthew
5:13-15).
Thursday:
I
plead that my church would receive power from the Holy Spirit and that we would
be a witness for You wherever we go (Acts 1:8).
Friday:
I ask that You would grant my church opportunities to share the gospel with the lost around us. Bring lost people into our lives that we can show them the love of Jesus and share the Word of God with them (Colossians 4:3; Matthew 7:7).
Saturday:
Father,
I plead that You would make my church bold and fearless in our witness for the
Lord Jesus Christ. Deliver us from fear
and anything else that might hinder us from sharing our faith in Jesus (Proverbs
28:1).
Sunday:
I
ask that that we would not grow weary in sharing the gospel. Cause us to know that we will reap converts
for Jesus if we do not faint (Galatians 6:9).
Write down the names of people that you would like to see come to Jesus in true faith and repentance:
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
God
uses your prayers to bring people to Jesus (Romans 10:1; 2 Thessalonians
3:1-2). It is His desire that you
pray for the salvation of those who do not know Jesus. During this month, pray specifically for
people you know who need Jesus.
Father, in the name of
Jesus, I plead that You will draw _______________ to Jesus Christ in true faith
and repentance (John 6:44).
In the name of Jesus, I
ask You, Father, to quicken ___________________ who is dead in sins and
trespasses (Ephesians 2:1).
Father, I ask You to bind
and remove Satan’s work in _________________’s life and to open
_______________’s eyes to the truth of the gospel (2 Corinthians 4:4).
Holy Spirit, I pray that
You would convince _____________ that he/she is lost, separated from God, and
headed to hell (Romans 3:23).
Holy Spirit, in the name
of Jesus, I pray that You would destroy any false ideas that _________________
has about Jesus Christ and salvation through Him (Proverbs 14:12).
Lord Jesus, I plead that
You will seek out __________________ and save him/her from his/her sins and
eternal condemnation (Luke 19:10).
Father, I pray that You
will open ________________’s heart so that he/she will receive and believe the
gospel (Acts 16:14).
Holy Spirit, I ask You
through Your power and _____________’s circumstances to prepare him/her to hear
and receive the Word of God (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23).
Holy Spirit, I plead that
______________ will understand the gospel when it is presented to him/her so
that the devil cannot snatch it away (Matthew 13: 5, 9).
Holy Spirit, in the name
of Jesus, I plead that the Word of God will take root in ____________’s life
and bring about true salvation in ____________’s life (Matthew 13:6, 20-21).
Father, I ask that the
pleasures of this world and the pressures of life will not choke the Word of
God that has been sown into _______________’s life (Matthew 13:7, 22).
Father, I plead that You
will deliver ________________ from the kingdom of darkness and place ________________
into the kingdom of Your dear Son (Colossians 1:13).
Father, I pray that
_______________ will receive the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ
the Lord (Romans 6:23).
Lord Jesus, I ask that
_________________ will not trust in himself/herself, but that ________________
will completely trust in You as his/her Savior and Lord (Galatians 2:16).
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
The Prayer Bulletin June, 2004
Read
and meditate on Matthew 9:35-10:1. What did Jesus do in Matthew 9:35?
How
did Jesus respond when He saw the crowds (Matthew 9:36)?
What
does He tell His disciples to pray for (Matthew 9:37-38)?
What
happened to those who prayed for laborers (Matthew 10:1)?
Jesus’ instructions to the disciples still apply to us today. Just as then, there is a bountiful harvest but few workers. We must pray for the Lord of the harvest to send out workers. We must ask for this while at the same time, being willing to go ourselves. During this month, will you pray for laborers in the harvest where you are and around the world? The following prayers based on Matthew 9:35-10:1 will help you to do this. Cry out to God for the laborers!
Father,
You are the Lord of the harvest. I ask
You to send out laborers to reach our community for Jesus. Father, convict, call, and equip people who
will fill this community with the love of Jesus and the Word of God. I plead that You will reap a bountiful
harvest in this area through these laborers.
Amen.
Father,
I ask You to raise up and prepare the next generation for the harvest in
America. I plead that You would equip
them and empower them to touch this nation with the gospel of Jesus
Christ. I pray that You would protect
them from the snares of the evil one and his devious plans. O God, grant healing and strength in their
lives. Do this for Your glory and for the
future harvest. Amen.
Father,
I plead that You would raise up laborers who will go to every nation in this
world. I ask that You would create
within them a heart for sharing the gospel in another culture. Equip them with everything that they need for
this. I plead that You would strengthen
and transform them for this. Bring the
nations to Yourself through them. Amen.
Pray especially this month for the young people in
your church. Ask God to give them a
servant’s heart. Plead that He will
raise them up for service in His church and kingdom.
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
Praying
For Spiritual Awakening In America
In July, we celebrate the birth and founding of America. It is a time when we look back at what God has done in this nation. Yet, it should also be a time when we look up. We should be motivated to plead with God for spiritual awakening in our nation.
The great need of our nation is
spiritual awakening. Sinners must be
awakened to their lost and desperate condition. Believers must be awakened to seek God and to put away their sins
and idols. Churches and denominations
must be changed and motivated to fulfill the Great Commission in America and
throughout the world.
The following is a prayer guide to help
you pray for spiritual awakening in America.
In past spiritual awakenings in America, certain truths were proclaimed
with power. These truths were used of
God to stir and change the hearts of the people. In order to pray for spiritual awakening, we can use those truths
to plead with God.
You can use this or develop your own from it. The key issue is to cry out to God for this
sovereign work of God. It is our
desperate need and it will become a reality only as we seek God.
(1)
Pray that
America will accept the Bible as the sole guide for faith and practice (2
Timothy 3:15-4:2, 1 Peter 1:21)
Plead that God will create within the people of this nation a hunger for God’s Word. Ask that this land will be filled with the sound, clear preaching of God’s Word.
(2)
Ask that people
will experience the new birth.
Pray that this truth will be proclaimed with power and clarity. Ask that people will see the insufficiency of works and religion and need for personal transformation through Jesus.
(3)
Plead that a
spirit of repentance will fill this nation (Luke 13:1-3, Acts 17:30).
Pray that people will see how evil and destructive sin is. Ask God to grant this nation the gift of repentance.
(4)
Pray that the
message of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation will be proclaimed in this
nation with power and clarity (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5).
Plead with God to exalt His Son in this nation as the only Redeemer and Mediator. Ask that this message will fill the nation.
(5)
Ask that
holiness will be declared through this land (1 Peter 5:15-16).
Pray for a return to the conviction that holiness of life is the result of a personal relationship with Jesus. Plead that God’s holiness and His demand for a holy life will resound throughout this nation.
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
In August, most parents and children are either heading back to school. If not, they are making preparation to return to school. This should stir and motivate you to pray for your school or the schools in your area. The following prayer guide will help you to pray for spiritual awakening in your schools.
Spirit-Pray
that the Holy Spirit would powerfully move among the young people. Plead that His power would fall on them and
meet their particular spiritual needs.
Pray that He would convict and call lost youth to the Lord Jesus Christ. Pray that He would convict and renew the
faith and commitment of saved youth. Ask
Him to reveal His mighty power in the lives of young people (John 16:7-11; Psalm 80).
Confession-Pray
fervently that young people will acknowledge their sin. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal their sin to
them in fresh and powerful ways and that He will move them to confess their
sins. Pray that God would grant
repentance to young people. Ask Him to
create within them a hunger for the God, His Word, and holiness of life (Psalm 51; Acts 3:19; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Psalm 42:1-2).
Homes-Ask
God to transform the homes of the young people. Pray that the Holy Spirit would bless the marriages of the
parents. Plead that the parents and the
children will have good and healthy relationships. Pray that their homes would be places where Christ is exalted and
the Word of God is the foundation (Ephesians
5:22-6:4; Proverbs 5:15-23; Psalm 127).
Obstacles-Pray that any obstacles to this awakening
would be removed by the Holy Spirit.
Ask God to deal with anything that might hinder the experience of a
genuine work of the Holy Spirit. Pray
that Satan’s plans for these young people would be destroyed. Plead that he will have no effectiveness in
getting a stronghold in their lives and in destroying their lives (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Peter
5:8-9; John 8:44).
Openness-Pray that the young people will have openness
to the Word of God. They are hearing so
many messages. Ask God to give them a
hunger for the Word of God. Pray that
the lost youth will be open to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Plead that the believing youth will build
their lives on the Word of God (1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Leaders-Pray that God would raise up young people who
have a heart for Him and for spiritual awakening. Ask Him to mold young men and women who will the vessels through
which He can send awakening. Pray that
He will give these young people a fearless and relentless attitude toward God,
His Word, and spiritual awakening (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Other
Prayer Requests For My School:
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595 Stratton
Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
The Prayer Bulletin
September, 2004
In September, many new television shows will be flooding the market. These shows clamor for the attention and commitment of the American public. Most Christians lament and complain about the evil and immoral, even amoral, programming that comes out of Hollywood. Yet, how many of us have prayed over Hollywood and those involved in it? How many of us have pleaded with God for a change in Hollywood?
During the month of September, commit
yourself to pray for Hollywood and its people and products. Call on God to work powerfully and bring
about genuine change.
Ask
God to place some celebrities on your heart.
Pray for God to meet their particular spiritual needs:
q
____________________________________________
q
____________________________________________
q
____________________________________________
q
____________________________________________
You
can also use the following prayer guide for Hollywood:
ü Pray that God would save and spiritually mature many
celebrities and “power” people in Hollywood (John 3:16, 6:44).
ü Ask God to strengthen and encourage the true
believers who are laboring in Hollywood (1 Peter 2:1-2; Psalm 46:1).
ü Plead with God to help the believers in Hollywood
stand strong in Christ, overcoming temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13;
Matthew 5:13-15).
ü Ask God to convict those who control programming and
movie making; praying that they will have a heart to produce and distribute
quality, family-oriented material (Proverbs 21:1).
ü Pray that God will mercifully humble the pride of
Hollywood (Daniel 4:35).
ü Call on God to show Hollywood how empty and useless
the things of the world are (1 John 2:15-17).
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
In October, many people celebrate Halloween. Pumpkins, costumes, and parties characterize this time of the year. Yet, there is a dark side of Halloween. It is a time of celebration for those who believe in the evil and the demonic. It is a reminder of the fact that we are in a spiritual war. It is a time to remember that we do a real enemy that opposes us and would seek to devour us.
Because of this, use October as a
reminder to pray concerning spiritual warfare.
The following prayer guide is offered to you to help you do this.
Protect Yourself – The Armor of
God (Ephesians 6:10-20).
Daily pray on the armor of God. Pray on each piece:
The
belt of truth
The
breastplate of righteousness
The
shoes of peace
The
shield of faith
The
helmet of salvation
The
sword of the Spirit
A
spirit of daily prayer
Go on the offensive – Pray against
the evil in your area
In spiritual warfare, we should put on the armor of God to defend ourselves. Yet, we must also go on the offensive. We must pray about the evil around us. In order to do this, answer the following questions:
What
are the main hindrances to the gospel in this area?
What
evil influences exercise great power in this area?
What
places of evil exist in this area?
Once
you determine these things, pray for the removal of these evils. Ask that righteous things will be built in
their place.
Pray for your brothers and sisters
in Christ (1 Peter 5:8-9)
Your
brothers and sisters in Christ are in a war too. Pray for them in the midst of this war.
q
Pray that they will
stand firm in their faith in Jesus (1 Peter 5:8)
q
Ask that they will look
for the way out and escape temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
q
Pray that they will be
diligent in prayer (Colossians 4:2).
q
Plead that they will
confess and repent of sin (1 John 1:9).
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
In Hebrews 13:3, the Word of God
declares, “Remember those in prison as if you were there fellow prisoners, and
those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” In the first century, many Christians were
imprisoned for their faith. They were
also abused and mistreated because of their belief in Jesus. The writer of Hebrews exhorts these believers
to remember and help those believers who were in prison and who were being
mistreated.
Unfortunately, the persecution and
mistreatment of Christians still exists.
In fact, these things are increasing at an alarming rate. It is a growing problem in many parts of the
world. And, just as in the first
century, God desires that we remember our brothers and sisters who are
imprisoned and suffering for the faith.
November is the month in which the
International Day Of Prayer For The Persecuted Church is observed. Because of this, use November as a time to
focus on praying for persecuted Christians.
How can you be involved in remembering
and helping your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ?
§ Get informed.
This is crucial for
understanding and knowing how to pray for your persecuted brothers and sisters
in Christ. Strive to learn everything
that you can about these issues. One of
the best sources for information concerning the persecuted Church is Voice of
the Martyrs. You can visit them at www.persecution.com.
§ Stand firm in your own faith. Strive
to be faithful to Jesus in your own personal life. Share your faith with others.
Act as salt and light in the circumstances that you find yourself.
§ Pray fervently concerning this issue. Your prayers
will make a difference. Your prayers
will help and encourage your brothers and sisters who are suffering for the
faith.
During this month, pray over the following issues concerning the persecuted Church:
v Pray that God would strengthen and encourage
believers who are being persecuted (Psalm
46).
v Plead that God would convict and stop those who are
persecuting the Church (Acts 9).
v Ask God to supply and help those ministries that are
striving to help persecuted Christians (Philippians 4:19).
v Call on God to change the hearts of the government
leaders and to establish freedom of religion (Proverbs 21:1).
v Pray that believers will have a burden to pray and
act in behalf of the persecuted Church (Hebrews 13:4).
Dr. Kevin
Meador
595
Stratton Road Hickory, MS 39332
(601)
646-2295
www.prayerclosetministries.org
The Prayer Bulletin
December, 2004