Pray for the Laborers
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV).
According to Genesis 12:1–3, as God’s children we are blessed with the opportunity to take the message of His salvation and reconciliation to the peoples of the world. Along with millions of believers around the globe throughout the centuries, we are a part of His great plan and purpose. Within the Church of God of Prophecy alone, more than a million men, women, boys, and girls are representing Christ in their countries, regions, villages, cities, and communities. We praise God for active works in more than 135 nations of the world.
To enable us to reach the world and fulfill the mission Christ gave us, we must find our foundation in prayer. Prayer is a critical component to our effectiveness and fruitfulness. And as we read in Ephesians 6:18, we are admonished to pray for “all the Lord’s people.”
When we consider our prayers for the world, how often do we find ourselves praying for the harvest—the lost and unreached people of the world? While these prayers are important, we must remember that Jesus also taught us to pray for laborers (Matthew 9:37, 38) and fellow believers (Ephesians 6:18, John 17).
Prayer Directives:
Using John 17 as our guide, let’s unite our prayers to lift up the family of God. Join with us in praying:
• As a disciple of Christ, pray that God would be glorified through you so that those around you would come to know and worship the living God (v.1).
• Pray for the global family of believers, those who have been “given Him.” As Jesus prayed, pray that our fellow believers would be protected. Remember the persecuted, those being marginalized, tortured, and dying for their faith (vv. 2–12).
• Pray that you and your fellow believers would be sanctified, or set apart, by the Word of God (vv.13–19).
• Pray for unity among those who serve Christ. Pray that this unity would be complete so that those who “will believe in Me” will understand that Jesus is God’s Son and that He loves them (vv.20–23; see also John 13:34, 35).
Also join with us praying:
• Call out the nations of the world and/or lost people groups. Ask God to give that nation as a part of your inheritance as His child (Psalm 2:8).
• Give thanks to God for hearing and responding to your prayers as you surrender completely to Him (1 John 5:14, 15).
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying for Our Global Family
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18, NIV)
According to Genesis 12:1-3, as God’s children He has blessed us with the opportunity to take the message of His salvation and reconciliation to the peoples of the world. We, along with millions of believers around the globe and throughout the centuries, are a part of His great plan and purpose. Within the Church of God of Prophecy alone, more than a million men, women, boys, and girls are representing Christ in their villages and communities. We praise God for active works in more than 135 nations of the world.
To enable us to reach the world and fulfill the mission Christ gave us, we must find our foundation in prayer. Prayer is a critical component to our effectiveness and fruitfulness. And as we read in Ephesians 6:18, we are admonished to pray for “all the Lord’s people.”
When we consider our prayers for the world, how often do we find ourselves praying for the harvest—the lost and unreached people of the world? While these prayers are important, we must remember that Jesus also taught us to pray for laborers (Matthew 9:37-38) and fellow believers (Ephesians 5:18, John 17).
Prayer Directives
Using John 17 as our guide, this month let’s unite our prayers to lift up the family of God. Join with us in praying…
- As a disciple of Christ, pray that God would be glorified through you so that those around you would come to know and worship the Living God (v.1).
- Pray for the global family of believers, those who have been “given Him.” As Jesus prayed, pray that our fellow believers would be protected. Remember the persecuted, those being marginalized, tortured, and dying for their faith (vv. 2-12).
- Pray that you and your fellow believers would be sanctified, or set apart, by the Word of God (v.13-19).
- Pray for unity among those who serve Christ. Pray that this unity would be complete so that those who “will believe in me” will understand that Jesus is God’s son and that he loves them (vv.20-23; see also John 13:34-35).
Also join with us praying…
- Call out the nations of the world and/or lost people groups. Ask God to give that nation as a part of your inheritance as His child (Psalm 2:8).
- Give thanks to God for hearing and responding to your prayers as you surrender completely to Him (1 John 5:14-15).
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying for our Global Church
Romans 14:11, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
It has been expressed over and over that prayer must be a core component for our global Church. As we think about every knee bowing and every tongue confessing Christ, we realize that Holy Spirit is our prayer partner (Romans 8:26), and He desires for prayer to be in every tribe and tongue as an expression of His Body among the nations (Luke 18:1,7). I believe that it is important for us to search the Word and understand that prayer must be a persistent, hope filled expression of our faith as it is one of His goals for us to reach the finish line successfully.
Prayer is talked about a lot. There are many guides and books which have been written about it. You can even attend seminars and workshops on prayer. The challenge for us is making time to pray regularly. After all, it is our direct line of communication to the Father through our Intercessor, Jesus Christ. Prayer brings us into His presence. Prayer changes people. Prayer changes the world.
Jeremiah 33:2,3 reminds us to call upon Him, “This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it—the LORD is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’“
Prayer Directives:
Join us in praying for our global Church in the following ways:
- Pray for an awakening in our movement and societies (Ephesians 5:14; Romans 13:11; Zechariah 2:10, 11).
- Pray for your local church leadership, as well as our global leadership network (2Timothy 2:1–4; Ephesians 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28), i.e. pastors, ministry leaders, national/regional/state overseers, general presbyters, and general overseer.
- Pray for protection of those serving in hostile and closed cultures (Psalm 145:18, 19; Psalm 34:15, 17; Psalm 91:14–16).
- Pray for abundant provision for our ministers and missionaries (Matthew 6:6–8; 7:7–11; 1John 5:14, 15).
- Pray for transformation of the lost (Romans 12:2; Philippians 4:6,7).
- Pray for an outpouring ofthe Holy Spirit on our members and local churches (Isaiah 60:1, 2; Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17).
- Pray for Hiskingdom to come, His will to be done (Luke 11:2–4; Matthew 6:1–15).
- Pray for endurance for those serving in ministry (Ephesians 6:10–18; 4:14; Galatians1:16; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Hebrews 4:12).
Our Contributor
Contributor: Annette Taylor, Cleveland, TN
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying Purposeful Prayers
When we pray specifically and expect to hear from the Father, we are praying purposeful prayers. The word purpose can be looked at two different ways. There is purpose that is meaning, the reason of existence, and there is purpose that is intent, the reason of action. Purposeful prayer should have both meaning and intent. When we pray, we should know what we are praying for and with the intention to receive an answer.
Hebrews 11:6 puts it this way, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” You do not diligently do anything by accident; if you do something diligent, it is with purpose. You do not do anything in faith just out of curiosity, it is always with purpose. Therefore, if we come to Him for an exact cause with the realization we are, in fact, speaking with the Creator of all the universe in person, and that is why we called out to Him, our prayers will always be purposeful.
“And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22). So, as we pray, let us not undermine the very nature of prayer by lacking purpose. When we ask, it should be intentional, and when we say we believe, we must be sincere. After all, we do not want to insult the Lord by half–heartedly requesting something we don’t really expect to get in the first place.
When you pray, let your requests be made known unto God. Prayer is to be continual, never ending. The best way to add more purpose, more intent, and more meaning to your prayers is to start praying, and pray the best you know how to, right now, and keep on praying. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He intends for prayer to be for your good and the good of the Church.
Prayer Directives:
- Pray for certainty of mind and clarity of requests over your future prayer times.
- Pray for a strong grasp of how God views the prayers of His people.
- Pray for the anointing of prayer, that it may be passionate and full of faith.
- Pray for all doubt and other hinderances to your prayers to be removed.
- Pray for God to provide you with partners in prayer.
- Pray that all your prayers will be prayed with the intent to hear from God.
- Pray that God’s will above all others will be done in all things.
- Pray for strength and resolve to pray through.
- Pray for the Word to be opened to you for instruction and growth in prayer.
- Pray that your prayers would never be just rehearsed lines that mean little to you.
- Pray for a heart that is thoughtful to intercede for others.
- Pray for your prayer life to be victorious in tearing down strongholds of the enemy in your life and those you are praying for.
- Pray because God receives glory from it.
- Pray because it’s the best way for the Church to partner with God, and see the Great Commission fulfilled His way, and not ours.
Our Contributor
Contributor: Jonathan Lovvorn, Cleveland, TN
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Prayers for Overcoming
“When my heart is overwhelmed…lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:1, 2).
David, the writer of Psalm 61, is exiled from Jerusalem, the place where he worshipped. He is overcome with a myriad of emotions and uncertainty. Banished, alone, whether by the hand of Saul or his own son Absalom is uncertain. His state, his peace is disturbed. Making sense of it all is seemingly futile. He must somehow overcome this unjustified assault.
David remembers his God, recalling his journey in the wilderness, when it was only God and himself. He recites the Word of God to himself.
The tool the enemy uses to overwhelm can come via any source. However, his objective is to divert one’s attention from worshipping God and to invoke anxiety. He hopes to isolate us from our familiar place of worship.
Life sometimes strikes a hard blow. Some things you cannot control. What do you do? You utter a prayer of overcoming and trust God to deliver. A prayer of overcoming can free you from that state of devastation!
Prayer Directives
- Lord, grant us the ability to override all mental attacks that come to derail our faith (Philippians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 10:4, 5).
- Teach us to overcome depression and anxiety as we wait on you (Deuteronomy 31:8; Psalm 42:11; Isaiah 41:10).
- Grant us a settled peace that comes with the knowledge of your promise to never leave us alone (Hebrews 13:5).
- Give us the confidence that as we pursue your will, you will take care of us (Luke 10:19).
- Produce unity within the family so that conflicts may be resolved (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).
- Instill in us joy in serving you and your church (Nehemiah 8:10; Hebrews 6:10).
Additional Prayer Resources
- Guide to Spiritual Warfare by E.M. Bounds
- Blessing or Curse by Derek Prince
- The Three Battle Grounds by Francis Frangipane
Work Cited: Matthew Henry Commentary
Our Contributor
Contributor: Pastor Janice Roseboro, NC
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying Spirit Empowered Prayers
“In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27 NASB).
As we read this passage with a desire to pray spirit empowered prayers, we find many valuable ideals:
- The Spirit is the most effective prayer partner we could ever have.
- The Spirit helps us pray for things that go far beyond our understanding.
- The Spirit prays through us for things at times that we do not even fully know.
- The Spirit inspires prayers in us when we may not even feel like praying.
- The Spirit lifts faith, brings compassionate tears, and ignites joy in our praying.
- The Spirit reveals things to us so we can pray with more focus.
- The Spirit often brings the Scriptures to us so that we can stand on them claiming victory.
- The Spirit literally joins us as a real tangible partner in our prayer times.
- The Spirit, who joins Christ in the Trinity with Father God, lifts us into this fellowship as we pray.
- Spirit partnership in prayer is far more than a new prayer language. It is a real prayer partner!
Keep these thoughts in mind as you pray and watch as the Spirit partners with you to empower and lead your prayers. Many of these ideas are taught by that wonderful teacher of prayer, Andrew Murray in his work “With Christ in the School of Prayer.”
Additional Resources:
Consider also these classic prayer sources:
- M. Bounds, “Power Through Prayer”
- Jack Hayford, “The Beauty of Spiritual Language”
- David Yong-gi Cho, “Prayer: Key to Revival”
- A. Torrey, “The Power of Prayer”
- Richard Foster, “Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home”
- Peter Wagner, “Prayer Shield”
About Our Contributor
Contributor: Bishop Randall E. Howard
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying to Know Him More Intimately
In his letter to the Romans, Paul speaks of having peace with God through Jesus Christ and having been introduced or gained access by faith to a position of grace with the hope of glorifying God (Romans 5:1–2).
The challenge for many is moving beyond the introduction or from mere acquaintance to a true intimacy with the One who is beyond full comprehension.
This month, we invite you to join us daily as we move from our complacency, press in to know God personally, and commune with Him intimately.
Prayer Directives
- Praise God as the all-knowing, ever-present, all-powerful, most-high God who brought the universe into existence with the word of His mouth, yet He invites us to know and experience a deepening relationship with Him (Isaiah 43:10–12; Romans 11:33–36).
- Thank the Lord Jesus Christ that by His Holy Spirit, He has introduced you to the Father’s grace, mercy, and peace that become the platform for knowing Him more deeply (John 1:16–18; Romans 5:8; Hebrews 10:19–22; 2 Peter 1:3–8).
- Confess your desire (or lack thereof) to move beyond the restraints of time, personal agenda, and cultural pressures to know Him (Philippians 1:9–10; 3:7–11).
- Ask God to teach and empower you to imitate the worship atmosphere of heaven when you commune with Him (Psalm 100:4; 103:1; Isaiah 6:1–3; Revelation 4:8–11; 5:11–14).
- Acknowledge your longing to listen to and obey His voice, reaping the promised blessings from doing so (1 Samuel 3:8–9; Luke 10:38–42; John 14:21, 23).
- Assume a posture of meditating and listening for the voice of the Lord through His Holy Spirit and Word (Psalm 1:1–3; 119:15; John14:26–27; 16:12–15).
- Pray and intercede according to what you sense the Lord speaking to you—not only for yourself but for others (Romans 8:26; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Timothy 2:1).
- Express gratitude for the joy of intimate communion with Christ and a willingness to continue walking in obedience to His directives as you love Him and live your life on mission with Him (Matthew 22:37–40; John 17:13–23).
Additional Prayer Resources
Web:
- PrayMagazine – https://www.prayerleader.com/magazine/
- Give Him 15 (Available via web or app) – http://givehim15.com/
Print:
- Praying God’s Word: Breaking Free of Spiritual Strongholds, by Beth Moore (B & H Books, ISBN: 0805464336)
- Cry Out to the Lord: Reset My Walk with God, by Intimate Life Ministries(Broadstreet Publishing ISBN: 9781424551231).
About Our Contributor
Kay Horner is executive director of Awakening America Alliance and The Helper Connection. Kay has served in a variety of ministry roles including executive director of New Hope Pregnancy Care Center and administrator for Voice of Salvation Ministries. While Christian education minister for World Impact national television program, she provided insight segments for the agency, and she has been ministry projects coordinator for the Center for Spiritual Renewal.
Kay currently serves as executive director for Awakening America Alliance and a newly established initiative, The Helper Connection. She is the author of “The Christmas Dance” and is a member of the National Prayer Committee and Mission America Coalition/U.S. Lausanne Committee.
Download This Prayer Guide
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Praying for the Nations
The heart of God, as revealed to John in Revelation, is that people from all nations will stand before the throne of God. “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands“ (Revelations 7:90.
The whole world is in dire need of the Savior, now more than ever before. For the kingdoms of this world to become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ (Revelation 11:15) we must pray “Thy Kingdom come, thy will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven” over the nations and believe God will save them, for “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).
As we await the imminent return of Our Lord, our goal should be that all the nations will hear, serve, and know Him, so that the salvation he offers will be received by all.
We invite you to join us in praying that the nations will embrace the Lordship and love of the Almighty God.
Prayer Directives:
- Praise God that He rules over all the nations and they belong to Him (Psalm 22:28; Psalm 24:1).
- Ask God to forgive us for any way we have failed in proclaiming His love and rule to the nations (Mark 16:15).
- Pray for God to open the eyes of all the nations to His redemptive will for each of them (Luke 1:68).
- Pray for the leaders of all nations, especially all presidents, prime ministers and the parliaments/congress, that they will acknowledge and seek God (Isaiah 11:3-4); Rev 1:5).
- Ask that He give us the heathen for our inheritance and the ends of the earth for our possession (Psalm 2:8).
- Pray that the Lord will open the doors to the “closed nations” so that they will embrace the love of God (Psalm 24:9).
- Ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest, for the fields are white unto harvest (Luke 10:2).
- Pray for the Lord to use you to go, send, or pray for world evangelization (Matthew 28:19-20).
- Pray for peace, righteousness, and salvation to saturate all nations (Proverbs 14:34).
- Pray for the Body of Christ to rise up and make an impact in all spheres of your nation and help bring the Lordship of Jesus in every nation (Revelation 19:16).
Additional Prayer Resources
- Operation World by Jason Mandryk and Patrick Johnstone, Gabriel Resources 21st Century Edition; Revised edition, ISBN-10: 1850783578
About Our Contributor
Pastor Michael Obi is the National Coordinator of the African Strategic Leadership Prayer Network, (ASLPN) and a cabinet member of the Awakening America Alliance, representing the African continent. He is also the Pastor of Mount Zion Prayer Center Church in Cleveland, Tennessee, and serves in many other organizations, mostly on the area of prayer.
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Fasting Prayer Guide
Fasting was an expectation of Christ for His disciples. In Matthew 6:16, He said, “When you fast” not “If you fast.” He modelled fasting as an effective and necessary part of His prayer life with the Father.
Although many Christians participate in fasting for dietary and physical reasons, there are benefits reserved for those participating in fasting as a spiritual discipline. All too often Christians approach fasting as a strength of determination, a sacrifice, or an overcoming of self-will. Fasting, however, is ultimately an emptying of one’s self to be filled with God achieved not by our own strength but from God’s work in us (Philippians 2:12, 13) through the strength he provides (1 Peter 4:11).
Fasting serves as a compliment to the prayers we pray. In many ways it adds an extra dimension of intensity and earnest desire than our routine, normal prayers. It also moves us beyond a simple tool for seeking those things we desire and moves us toward something greater than provision, protection, or guidance—God Himself.
As you empty yourself through fasting, God promises “open wide your mouth and I will fill it.” Through fasting, God promises to reward us by aligning our hearts with His purposes and desires, as “He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9).
Prayer Directives
- Thank the Father that as you fast and earnestly seek after His purposes, He hears your prayers and responds (Ezra 8:23).
- Ask the Father to reveal His purposes to you, naming specific areas where your need His guidance (Judges 20:26).
- Tell the Father about situations in which you or your loved ones need deliverance or protection (2 Chronicles 20:3–4; Ezra 8:21–23).
- Ask the Father reveals areas of your life that are not pleasing to Him. “Pour out” your heart to Him and repent (1 Samuel 7:6; Jonah 3:5–8).
- Surrender yourself entirely to the Father’s will asking that He use you for His glory (Matthew 4:1–11).
- Spend time in worship, expressing your love and devotion to the Father (Luke 2:37, Psalm 107:9).
- Ask the Father reveals areas of your life that are not pleasing to Him. “Pour out” your heart to Him and repent (1 Samuel 7:6; Jonah 3:5–8).
- Surrender yourself entirely to the Father’s will asking that He use you for His glory (Matthew 4:1–11).
- Spend time in worship, expressing your love and devotion to the Father (Luke 2:37, Psalm 107:9).
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
Christmastime Prayers
The Christmas and New Year holidays present us with limitless opportunities to pray. In addition to the hustle and bustle of the season that can often distract us from what matters most, many people experience an array of emotions as the holidays bring feelings of loneliness, loss, anxiety, and depression.
This month, we invite you to think about those around you who may be suffering this holiday season. Consider those who might need extra prayer covering and support. Pray with us in remembering those who are far from loved ones this holiday season. Below are prayer directives to help you engage in prayers of hope, help, and healing for those in desperate need this season.
Prayer Directives
- Pray for God’s protection upon all who are traveling throughout the Christmas holidays.
- Pray for a sense of God’s presence and mutual love as families and friends gather.
- Pray for healing and harmony for strained family relationships.
- Pray that those unable to be with family will enjoy the fellowship of friends. Remember missionaries, pastors, students, and those serving in their nation’s military to name a few.
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s comfort upon family and friends who have lost loved ones this year.
- Pray for families and friends who have loved ones in the military and pray for divine protection and comfort upon military personnel separated from family.
- Pray for missionary parents and children who are apart during the holidays.
- Pray for those struggling financially who cannot afford gifts and special holiday meals.
- Pray that people who do not yet know Christ as Savior will accept His gift of salvation.
Download this prayer guide as a bulletin insert by clicking here. Let us know you are praying with us by using #COGOPprays on social media to share your requests, inspirations, and praise reports.
