Monday

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh.

Is there anything too hard for Me?”

~Jeremiah 32:27~

Today, let’s focus on groups of people without calling any names. (It may be easier to stop reading and pray after each category than to read everything and try to remember them all in one prayer.)

First, let’s pray for the new converts. Pray they will have guidance and encouragement as they begin their Christian journey.

Pray for the lost. Pray they will have opportunities to see, heard, and read the Gospel. Pray their hearts will be open to making a decision for Christ. Pray for them to “see” Christ in Christians around them and want to have the same in their lives.

Pray for missionaries who serve around the world to work with various people groups so they might have the opportunity many of us have had all our lived. Encourage them and let them know they have others praying for them back on the homefront.

Pray for denominational leaders of all Christian organizations to learn how to find ways to minister together and become more effective in growing.

Pray for church staffs as they minister in their individual areas. Pray each one will have a love for God and for the people in their field of service. May each one develop new means of outreach so the churches can grow.

Pray for lay teachers and leaders in each church to find the time and energy to serve in the capacities they hold. Pray for faithfulness and a daily witness.

Pray for senior adults. Many are facing health issues, money problems, family concerns, etc. On the surface they look the same, but below the surface they are struggling and often too proud to seek help needed.

Pray for those in their middle years. They are often pulled in several directions: aging parents, retirement, children and grandchildren with issues, etc. Life is often busy, but not necessarily with the things that matter most in life.

Pray for young families. Many have big dreams – dreams bigger than their pocketbooks! They get too involved in possessions and doing what it takes to obtain more of them. Pray their sense of what is important in life will focus on spiritual matters, not financial matters.

Pray for youth as they make decisions about role models and values. Growing up today is different than it was for many of us. Let’s pray for family and church family to guide our youth in knowing what is truly important and worth investing their time in.

Pray for children. They are so easily influenced. Pray for proper influences in their early years so they do not have regrets later. Pray for family members, teachers, and churches to focus on helping these young boys and girls learn to know Jesus and have a desire to live for Him all their lives.

Pray for political leaders of all levels around the world. Pray they will seek ways to work together for peace and the betterment of mankind, not for gain by stepping on others.

Pray for those who serve in the military. Pray each one will learn values and techniques that will make them better world citizens and provide safety and freedom around the world. Pray for the family members who are left at home while their loved one are in the military. Find one or two families to encourage.

Pray for those who have job insecurities now. Pray for them to focus on the long-term picture by getting the education and training they need to hold a meaningful job that will provide the security of an adequate income.

Pray for police, healthcare workers, teachers, etc. as they invest in serving others. May each one give of themselves to make life better for others.

The list goes on and on. I’ll stop here, but change the subject a little.

I’m reminded of a sign I saw in a Sunday School classroom many years ago. The class was the Joy class. The sign said,

J – Jesus first

O – Others second

Y – Yourself last.

May we each live with that “joy”.

I’m praying for “joy” of each of you who read this today.

Anna Lee