Praying for Revival
As we consider the current state of our world and the spiritual battles raging around us, we cannot deny that we desperately need revival. The urgency of the hour calls upon us to fervently cry out to God on behalf of our ourselves, our families, our communities, our nations, and the church.
When revival came to the country of Wales in 1904, entire communities were shaken by the power of God as they were drawn together for times of united prayer. Ultimately, some 150,000 people came to Christ, as lives were transformed by the power of the Gospel and hearts rekindled with a passion for God. Throughout the revival, a key phrase that was often repeated in prayer and the pulpit was “bend the church and save the world.”
We must ask the Father to bend the church and save the world, once again. We must understand our deep need to present ourselves to the Holy Spirit, asking that he prepare our hearts for revival, and bring us into alignments with His will as He pours His Spirit out on the earth in the last days. Only when we ask that He begin a refining work in us, will we see revival come to our homes, churches, and nations.
British evangelist Gypsy Smith was once famously asked how to “start a revival.” His answer can help guide our prayers for revival in this day. “Go home, lock yourself in your room, kneel down in the middle of your floor” said Smith. “Draw a chalk mark all around yourself and ask God to start the revival inside that chalk mark. When He has answered your prayer, the revival will be on.”
Prayer Directives
Unite your prayers with us in seeking God for a fresh wind of revival.
- Humbly call upon the Father, asking Him to forgive and heal us. Thank Him for His promise to do so (2 Chronicles 7:14).
- Pray for those you know who have become weakened, lost, and fallen into fear, disbelief, and trouble, pleading for their restoration and healing (Psalm 138:7, 8 and 73:23–26, 28).
- Ask God to send a refining fire to cleanse us of anything that is hinders His move. Name specific obstacles to revival and ask Him to crucify our sinful nature such as sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, and harmful addictions of any type (Malachi 3:1–7; Titus 2:14; Galatians 5:21).
- Ask the Father for a revival of His Word in our personal lives and the pulpits of our churches that would revive hearts and save wicked souls (Psalm 19:7).
- Ask the Father to create in you a clean heart and renew your spirit as you depend on Him alone as the source of revival (Psalm 51:10).
- Ask God to send a fresh anointing and renewed birth of the fruits of the Spirit in your life and the church (Galatians 5:22, 23).
- Pray for the church to be filled with the presence of God’s Spirit. Pray that you would be filled with the Holy Spirit so that you will be empowered to be a witness and do His work (Ephesians 5:18).
- Intercede for the lost, that they will be drawn out of spiritual darkness and find freedom in Christ (John 6:44).
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 Children
One of the most powerful ways to pray for children is to use Scripture. Because the Bible is the living Word of God, you can pray His Word back to Him, interceding for your children and grandchildren about the very things that matter to God and impact your children emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
PRAY FOR THINGS MENTIONED IN A VERSE:
Luke 2:52 “Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”
Pray for the child by name, asking that he or she will increase in wisdom (the mind), in stature (physically), in favor with God (spiritual), and in favor with man (social).
FOCUS ON GOD’S DESIRES:
Matthew 18:14 “Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.”
Pray for your child’s salvation based on God’s will for the child (see also 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9; 3 John 1:4).
INSERT CHILDREN’S NAMES INTO A VERSE:
Psalm 91:11 “He will command his angels concerning [names] to guard [them] in all [their] ways.”
Prayer Directives
- Pray for understanding and wisdom in bringing up your children (Proverbs 2:6).
- Ask that your children be taught by the Lord and experience peace (Isaiah 54:13).
- Pray that the power of the Gospel will change and fill the lives of children you know (Romans 1:16).
- Pray that your child will be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger (James 1:19).
- Pray that your child will learn to be content with what they have (Hebrews 13:5).
- Pray that they not forget to do what is right and to share (Hebrews 13:16).
- Ask that they grow in wisdom and in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:9-12).
- Pray that they submit to their elders and show humility to one another (1 Peter 5:5).
- Ask the Father to provide them peaceful sleep and safety throughout the day (Psalm 4:8).
- Ask the God to rescue them from evil attacks and preserve them in their faith (2 Timothy 4:18).
- Pray that they be enabled to be doers of the Word, and not hearers only (James 1:22)
- Pray that they would learn to effectively share their faith (Philemon 1:6).
Additional Prayer Resources
- Praying Circles Around Your Children by Mark Batterson
- Blessing Your Children by Jack Hayford
- Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
- Prayers that Avail Much for Parents by Germain Copeland
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 Lost Loved Ones
2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
Prayers for the salvation of loved ones carry great power because they are in agreement with God’s passion to save all those who are lost. To us, they are sons, daughters, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, moms, and dads. God knows them even more personally. Though one’s heart may seem far from salvation, God’s presence to save is near to them. Regardless of the darkness surrounding their life, the best thing you can do for your loved ones is to pray for their salvation.
PRAYER DIRECTIVES
- Pray that your loved one will understand their need for the Savior (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23)
- Pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of God’s love and salvation (Acts 26:18; 2 Corinthians 3:16)
- Pray that the light of Jesus Christ will shine into your loved one’s heart (2 Corinthians 4:6)
- Pray with repentance of your own sin and the sins of generations before you that may have influenced your loved one in their choices (Daniel 9:20)
- Pray for the oppressed in your family to be set free (Isaiah 58:6)
- Pray for and opportunity and boldness of the Spirit to share the life-changing gospel (Acts 4:31)
- Pray praise God with the assurance that it is God’s desire to save your loved one (Luke 19:10; Romans 10:1; 1 Timothy 2:4)
ADDITIONAL PRAYER RESOURCES:
- How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones, by Dutch Sheets (Published by Regal Books, ISBN: 0739419676)
- Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough, by Elmer L. Towns (Published by Regal Books, ISBN: 0830718397) – There is a great chapter here about fasting with a directive to win others to Christ.
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 Faith to Stand
Tragedy, trials, turmoil, and sorrow enter the life of every believer. We know this because Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrow” (John 16:33 NLT).
Thankfully, God’s Word reminds us that we are not alone in difficult times (Isaiah 41:10) and we are assured that any trial that tests our faith is used by God to lead to spiritual wholeness (James 1:3-4). So what do we do when we lack the faith to withstand?
Philippians 4:6-7 provides us with one excellent starting point. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7 NLT).
When life becomes difficult, as we are assured it most certainly will, we have an opportunity to see God work not only in our situation but also in building our personal faith. As we give our situation to God, which is often the hardest part, He gives us that ability to stand and endure the most difficult of times.
Prayer Directives
- Thank the Father for His presence that is with you even in the middle of difficult times. Praise Him for the strength and help that He has promised to you (Isaiah 41:10).
- Give thanks that the Lord is your refuge in this time of trouble and declare your trust in Him (Psalm 9:9, 10).
- Acknowledge your desperate need for God. Share specifically about your situation and release it entirely to the Father (Psalm 9:10, 34:17, 50:15, 145:18, 19; James 5:13–16)
- Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and discernment concerning your situation. Surrender every reaction and response to Him as He does so (James 1:5).
- Ask the Holy Spirit to give you an abiding peace (John 16:33).
- With thanksgiving and expectancy, continue praying over every aspect of your situation asking the Father to guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6, 7).
- Ask the Father to give you new ways to connect with the body of Christ and serve in the middle of your difficulties (1 Peter 5:7).
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.