PRAYER FOR THE NATION – MAY 2024

FAMILY

The nuclear family as God intended it to be

  • A husband and wife to become 1 flesh (Gen.2:24)
  • The union of a man and a woman for procreation (Gen.1:28)
  • A husband to love his wife as Christ does the church, the wife to submit to her husband as to the Lord and children their parents (Eph.5:22, 25-33; 6:1)

The family as God intended it to be is severely under attack today.

  • The breakdown of families has resulted in the breakdown in society as well.
  • We see an increase in fatherlessness, divorce, children born out of wedlock, promiscuity, suicides, violence in the streets and in the homes, LGBTQ community, gender identity crisis and most seriously, the denial of God’s love and a rejection of His existence.
  • At the core of attacks on the nuclear family are attempts to destroy the position of fathers in families.
  • Fatherlessness – father absenteeism included, is the leading factor behind many ills in families and in society.
  • Children need a father authority, love, guidance, encouragement and a sense of legitimacy and destiny from him.
  • Fathers are the root of the family tree.

PRAYER FOR THE MEN

  • We pray that the men will rise up to take their place of authority as loving and caring fathers in the family.
  • We speak against pride that leads fathers to think they can parent in their own way.
  • May fathers know who they are in Christ and what they are called to do as fathers.
  • Fathers, we declare that all attempts to destroy your place and position in society and in families will not succeed.
  • You will win because Phil.4:13 says, “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you” and not just in some things.
  • You will fear the Lord.
  • You will love your wife and children.
  • You will raise up your children in the way they should go – God’s way.
  • You will be resolute in following God’s commands as laid out in Deut.11:19,20, living as a good example to your children.
  • May God steer you away from all the vices the enemy wants for you.
  • You will not be weary in doing good.
  • The Lord fights for you.  You will win.

PARENTS’ PRAYER

Dear Father, our God, let our constant prayer be: “Teach me Your way, O Lord, I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your Name.” (Psalm 86:11)

We declare,

  • We will not bow down to the pressures of a humanistic culture.
  • We have a real lasting hope in Jesus Christ.
  • No matter what difficulties we may have in an increasingly hostile world, we can come to You, Jesus in prayer and you will come through for us.
  • We will battle in our prayer closet.
  • We will not be silenced, nor be indifferent and will make a stand for God’s ways and God’s truth.
  • We will fight with the power and authority we have in Christ, “who is far above all principality and power and might and dominion . . .  And He put all things under His feet and gave Him to be head over all things to the church.”  Eph.1:21,22.
  • In the midst of life’s temptations and the pull of our self-will, You will help us to be determined and courageous to do what is right in Your sight, regardless of the cost.
  • In the midst of life’s uncertainties, You will assure us of the certainty of Your unchanging love.
  • In the midst of busyness and pursuits, You will alert us to attacks from the enemy on our marriages and our children, and enable us to respond with wisdom, courage and tenacity.

PRAYER FOR THE CHILDREN ESPECIALLY THE PRODIGALS

Is.49:25; Jer.31:16-17

  • Thank you, Lord, for your promise that you will save our children and they will be taught by You (Is.54:13).
  • Our children are Yours.  Change their hearts to incline their ears to Your truth.
  • Let there be such a void in their hearts, and they to realise that the void can only be filled by Your love, truth and peace.
  • Protect and shield our children from New Age philosophies and Marxist theology, to know that wisdom comes from You and not AI.
  • Let Your word be etched on the tablets of their hearts so that their knowledge be gained from biblical lens and not from the worldly lens.
  • We parents will not stay frustrated, be in despair or filled with guilt in dealing with wayward and rebellious children.
  • Knowing Your promises, we will have the joy of the Lord that is found in spending time in our prayer closet, a lifestyle of worship and being in the word.
  • Revitalise our strength and faith, Lord, that You will make a way when there seems to be no way.
  • We pray, “Anoint our children with fresh fire right now! In Jesus’ Name, amen!”