10/31/13- Prayer for the Needy

Prayers for Church around the World  The Persecuted Church; The Poor, The Oppressed, The Lost

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because treat is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.  (Mt. 5:10-12)

The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. (Acts 10:4) 

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1). 

This is the last day of our Thirty Days in Prayer,  It ends with praying for the church.  When we think of the persecuted church we realize how blessed we are in America.  Just the talk of losing our freedom bristles us.  But the Christians in Nigeria and Egypt are having their churches blown up.  

This weekend we are called to prayer for the persecuted church.  See this article in Christianity Today (click here).




We are called to care for the least, the last, and the lost.  Those who are mentally, physically, and spiritually needy.  One of the simple and even most effective things we can do is pray for those in need.  We may not be able to give much away, or to spend time working- but the very first step toward helping- and a step we can all take is to pray for those in need.  

Here are some things we can do to pray for these in need. 
1) Read of those in Nigeria, Egypt, Sudan and other lands who are persecuted (click here for a map and link).  Take a map and pray for those in need.  

2) Pack a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child (dedication 11/17).  Say a prayer for those who will receive the gifts. 

3) Make a top three list of those you know who do not profess or practice the faith. Put this list on a post it note- or your phone- a visible place where you can pray for those in need.  Paul prayed for the salvation of those who were the lost sheep of Israel.  Jesus wept over Jerusalem who would not come to him, and prayed, "Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing."  Certainly, we do not need to look hard to see people in gangs, addicted to drugs or alcohol, addicted to lust, who are shallow and practicing self-destructive and God-forsaken behavior.  But all of us need God's grace, hope, and love.  Prayer especially for those severely lost and wandering has to be a blessing.  

Prayer: Lord, Give me grace to pray for the least, the last, and the lost today.  Incline your ear and answer me, O Lord, for I too am poor and needy.  (Psalm 86:1,2)