The World Mission Prayer League partners with the Church worldwide to share the gospel with those who have limited or no access to it. The Church is to equip its flock to stand against Satan and his subtle, deceptive tactics that lead as many as he can to their destruction. WMPL’s chief missional role as part of the Mission of Jesus is to mobilize prayer for the unreached: praying and standing against principalities and powers of darkness with the authority that is in Jesus. (See Matthew 28:18-19).
Before God’s wrath comes upon this sinful world, the Bible speaks about another period of wrath. In Revelation, we read a prophecy that I believe is being fulfilled: “The devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” (Revelation 12:12) It is imperative to prepare the Church for the devil’s onslaught using the power of intercession. Please join me in these steps of Scripture-based intercessory prayer:
Let’s begin with praising God. Father in heaven, we praise you for your mighty acts and “excellent greatness!” (Psalm 150:2) “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” (Revelation 4:11)
Let’s spend time preparing our hearts in confession. Father, we come before you knowing we have failed to fully live out your Good News. Show us, Lord, if there is any wicked way in us as we draw near to you. (Psalm 139:24) We have allowed worldly clutter and complacency to enter our lives and weaken our relationship with you, Jesus. (Ephesians 4:27-29) We confess our sin, because “the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16b) We confess our need for your forgiveness through Christ our Savior.
Let’s take a moment to put on the armor of God. Father, help us to walk in the truth and in the knowledge that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) Help us to deal firmly with the enemy by putting on the full armor of God and resisting the devil’s schemes in our own lives. (James 4:7b)
Let’s pray that our hearts will be open to the Holy Spirit’s leading. Help us to have your heart for the billions of people who are dying without your salvation. Father, guide our hearts as we begin to intercede and are “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” (Ephesians 6:18b)
I’m led to pray: Father, may our brothers and sisters who have witnessed martyrdom and persecution around the world be inspired by the bold witness for Christ and seek the truth. In Jesus’ name, may we relinquish any hatred toward those who are destroying lives and “repay no one for evil,” but instead “leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'” (Romans 12:17-21) Help us love our enemies as you have commanded us. We pray together for justice and mercy, for the ability to forgive, so that you will forgive our trespasses. We do this so you will hear our prayers for those who are lost. May the love and good we do in response to evil result in the salvation of countless souls. We pray for a worldwide outpouring of your Holy Spirit, for revival in your church, and awakening among the lost.
Father, help us recognize that principalities and powers of darkness influence people to steal from and kill God’s children. Help us to be together in prayer against these principalities and powers, that their influence be defeated in our lives and in the lives of those with little or no access to the Good News, so that “they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Father, we stand together in prayer against principalities and powers of darkness who have blinded those under their control. We intercede for those in bondage under Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, atheism, animism, and all other religions and forms of idolatry, and declare their release from the enemy’s grip by the authority of Jesus Christ. We stand in the gap for our Prayer League workers and our partners around the world who are giving their lives to proclaim Christ’s freedom to people in bondage.
Thank you for joining me in prayer and intercession! To God be the glory forever and ever, Amen!