raids, revolution, riots
August 21st, 2011 Pray the News
This week we heard news about raids, revolution, and riots.
In Christ God has given us the authority to push back the kingdom of darkness and welcome the Kingdom of God – we can actively participate with Him by praying for more of His kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We welcome the rule and reign of Christ as we worship God, as we daily choose to live for Him, and as we pray together in faith that God hears us whenever we call upon HIm.
In the brand new nation of South Sudan, cattle raids in which tens of thousands of animals were stolen sparked a spate of violence that resulted in the deaths of 500 people this week. Hundreds of others were wounded and over 200 people, mostly children, have been abducted. South Sudan is one of the poorest countries with possibly the worst health situation in the world. Here where we do not often wonder where our next meal will come from, where we do not live in fear of waking up to our town being burnt down, where we can find access to clean water at every turn, we do not understand this kind of devastation. But our loving and powerful God sees, He understands, God cares.
We pray Scripture using the words of Isaiah (Isaiah 64:1 – 4 (NLT)) – “Oh, that you would burst from the heavens and come down! How the mountains would quake in your presence! As fire causes wood to burn and water to boil, your coming would make the nations tremble. Then your enemies would learn the reason for your fame! When you came down long ago, you did awesome deeds beyond our highest expectations. And oh, how the mountains quaked! For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” We ask that you would move on behalf of the people of South Sudan and that the Kingdom of God would break through with righteousness, reconciliation, and rejoicing. Bring healing to this nation, comfort those who mourn, release the abductees and free the people from fear. In Jesus’ name we cry out for mercy, that you would show yourself strong on their behalf. I pray that many would call on the name of the Lord Jesus and be saved!
Rebels have recently started a revolution in Libya that yesterday moved to the capital of Tripoli, which is home to embattled leader Muammar Gaddafi. Gaddafi seized power in that nation almost 42 years ago, himself a revolutionary who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity.
Daniel 2:20 – 21 – “Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.” We praise your name, God. To you belongs all wisdom, all power. We thank you that You are in control, that there is nothing happening in our world that is beyond your knowledge and care. We ask that you would remove any leaders from power who are standing in the way of Your eternal purposes. Raise up leaders after Your own heart. Set kings, presidents, and prime ministers in place who seek to glorify You, the one true God.
The riots earlier this month in London and other cities in the U.K. were characterized by violence and destruction. In Isaiah 60:18 God gives us a promise of what it is like when the Kingdom of God arrives – “Violence will disappear from your land; the desolation and destruction of war will end. Salvation will surround you like city walls, and praise will be on the lips of all who enter there.” God, we ask for your salvation to surround the United Kingdom, that they would once more be a nation that boldly declares the glory of God and exalts Jesus Christ. We ask that you would draw forth praise and worship from the lips of every man, woman, and child in that country, that they would lift up the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the only God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
