Our church accepted a charge from Love Akron to pray for our surrounding geographical area or "cluster" as well as our nation and its leaders for the month of June. We have been faithful to gather weekly for this purpose . Personally I have always considered myself a woman of prayer, but in the midst of our corporate gatherings , I find myself at a loss . Either I don't have the words to say, or I say too much. I want to make sure I've covered every topic : from the president, his cabinet, neighborhoods, families, schools,etc ... I have to ask myself honestly, "Are my words meant truly for the Lord, or for the people around me ?" I want to sound good – after all, I am the pastor's wife . It is then that I realize I must pray more fervently for a pure heart of intercession .
I find it labor intensive. It is! It is a great responsibility – we must pray for our leaders . After all, we are Christ's and He ever lives to intercede. He calls us to join Him in His work . We must pray for our schools – the teachers and the students... for their protection, provision, and education . We must pray for our neighborhoods that they would be safe . We must pray against the influence of drugs and alcohol . We must pray against the evil ones who would want to harm men, women, and children . And we must pray with pure hearts and proper motivation.
Yet, if all the ungodly practices stopped, it would not bring about a lasting change in our cities . Colossians 3:23 says that if all the rules were followed they would "lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence ". We must wait upon the Holy Spirit and cry out to Christ who is able to save the souls of unregenerated man . We must cry out for our cities that God would reveal Jesus Christ to the lost and dying and fill them with the Holy Spirit . For without the Spirit's sanctification and regeneration there will be no healing in our land . Salvation through Jesus Christ is what our hearts must cry out for as we pray for Barberton and Norton . We must "wait" for the Holy Spirit's work in hardened and sinful hearts. Our prayers must extend to those who are in Christ, yet are asleep - that He would awaken them once again...that revival would come to the Body of Christ. That we ourselves would have pure hearts and clean hands.
Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name. Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.
Psalm 80:7, 18-19 NIV
