Biblical Prayer Foundations
“If my people which are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray
and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles7:14 NASB
“If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Psalm 11:3 NASB
“Yet even now,” declares the LORD, “return to Me with all your heart, and with
fasting, weeping, and mourning; and rend your heart, and not your garments. Now
return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger,
abounding in lovingkindness, and relenting of evil. Who knows whether He will
not turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him”
Joel 2:12-14a NASB
Beyond question, the Church and Nation are in an unprecedented spiritual crisis...Even far beyond election and economic concerns, the greater question is, "Will the Church return to God in repentance and the Nation in spiritual awakening?" If sweeping revival is to occur, the Church must return to deep repentance and powerful, Kingdom-centered prayer. Today's prayer movement must experience significant deepening in its focus and intensity. (Matthew 6:6-9; 33; 18:19; Acts 2:1; James 5:16) By God's mercy and grace, such a movement is indeed possible! Rather than "seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," it has more been "seek first to get your needs met and get blessed." For God to "rend the heavens" and manifest His glorious Presence, prayer must again embody the biblical patterns of God-centered, revival praying.
Based on Scripture and history, seven elements are vital to prayers that bring revival.
- Revival praying is driven by pure love for God and desire for His Name to be glorified.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:12-18; Psalms 66:18; 139:23-24)
- Revival praying is accompanied by deep confession of sin and renewed obedience. (Matthew 6:6-9; 22:37)
- Revival praying centers on the advancement of Christ's kingdom through evangelism, missions, and holiness. (Matthew 6:33; 28:19-20)
- Revival praying is highly specific, Bible-based and centered in God's will. (John 15:7;
1 John 5:14-15)
- Revival praying is effectual, fervent and faith-filled. (Mark 11:22-24; James 5:16)
- Revival praying is corporate and united in biblical agreement. (Matthew18:19; 21:13;
Acts 2:1)
- Revival praying is God-initiated, Spirit empowered and prevailing. (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 6:18; James 5:16-18)
It Matters What and How We Pray!
Obviously, only God's Spirit can lead believers to pray in the depth and super-natural power that produces sweeping revival...Yet it is vital for prayers to take on far greater depth, intensity and kingdom-focus. To encourage that process, the prayer points in this tool have three purposes. (1) To help believers and churches focus on elections but even more on Kingdom issues well beyond local, state or national elections. (2) To enable millions of believers to "agree-together" around specific prayers that are centered in God's will. (3) To provide a simple tool to unite individuals, prayer groups and prayer meetings in effective, fervent prayer. It is my earnest hope the following biblical prayers will help individual believers and prayer meetings to focus on God and His kingdom, not just secular elections.
Pray for God to have great mercy on the Church, nation and world; that He would stay His righteous judgment and turn us back to Himself in love and repentance.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:12-17; Daniel 9:17-19; Isaiah 64:1-2)
Pray for deep conviction of sin, loving unity and fervent prayer
to again sweep Christ's Church.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Joel 2:12-17; Matthew 22:37-39;2 Corinthians 7:10; James 4:8-10)
Pray for believers to become much more concerned about the glory of God's Name and spread of Christ's Kingdom than economic, political and social comforts.
(Matthew 5:10-12; 6:33; James 4:1-3)
Pray for believers to utterly humble themselves, placing their trust
in God not in political parties, economics or government.
(2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalms 33:12-22)
Pray for believers to be filled with such conviction and fear of
God that none would commit the blatant idolatry of voting
economics or politics above God and biblical truths.
(Exodus 20:3-5; Acts 5:29)
Pray for all believers to realize God holds them directly
responsible for the stances of those they elect.
(Proverbs 29:2; Galatians 6:6-7; Ephesians 5:11)
Pray for believers to willingly embrace hard times or persecution if
such are required to bring us to sweeping revival and awakening.
(Matthew 5:10-12; James 1:2; 4:1-3)
Pray that all believers will seriously seek God and turn
out to vote in unprecedented miraculous numbers.
(Psalms 11:3; Ephesians 5:17)
Pray for Americans to recognize the profound importance and lasting
implication of each and every election: that all people will see through
political rhetoric and clearly understand the truth; that truth
will shine through in the media campaigns and public debates.
(Psalms 11:3; Proverbs 14:34)
Pray for a mighty resurgence of Americans who will
honor God and stand strong for absolute moral truths.
(Psalms 11:3; 33:12; Proverbs 14:34; John 17:7)
Praythat God's Spirit will over-shadow voting booths across America;
that in the privacy of the booths, voters will hear and follow
God's guidance, not just political parties or the advice of others.
(Proverbs 20:27; Acts 5:29; Romans 13:11; Ephesians 5:15-17)
Pray that God will mercifully give us leaders of integrity
who govern in righteousness, wisdom and biblical truth.
(Psalms 33:12; Romans 13:1; 1 Timothy 2:1-2)