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Articles about Prayer

Praying for Our Community

by Orleen Haseltine

Why?

Because Jesus died for this principle.

Isa. 53:12 (KJV) – Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isa 53:12 (NIV) – Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sins of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Isa. 53:12 (TLB) – Therefore, I will give him the honors of one who is mighty and great because he has poured out his soul unto death. He was counted as a sinner, and he bore the sins of many, and he pled with God for sinners.

How?

Nehemiah 1:4-1

• 4 – When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven.
  • First response to adverse news was to pray.
  • Do I know what is going on in the heart of my community? Have I asked the Lord for guidance?
    
• 5– Then I said: “Oh Lord, God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and obey his commands, (6a) let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel.
  • Secondly, recognizing and affirming God’s sovereignty.
  • Have I given the Lord my trust for His working in my community?
  
  
• 6b – I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s house, have committed against you. (7) We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
  • Thirdly, identify with the community (We not I).
  • Am I a part of my community? Do they know who I am and like me?

• 8 – “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, (9) but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ (10) They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand.
  • Fourthly, remembering and recognizing God’s promises and commandments. Have I recognized God’s hand in my community? Do I pray His promises for them? Do I pray for a repentive heart in my community? Do I recognize them as God’s children?
    
• O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give you servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king.
  • Fifthly, personally asking for community good.
  • Do I love my community? Do I live like I do?

Move into a posture of prayer: sitting, prostrate, walking, or kneeling.

Ask the Lord if you have a Nehemiah heart.

Is there anything standing in the way of your being the vessel of His love to the community you are in? Write it down, seal it in an envelope, and leave it at the altar.

Pray Nehemiah 1:4-11 for your community. You may need to ask for wisdom to identify strongholds.

Love is defined as: strong affection, warm attachment, feel affection for, enjoy greatly, beloved person.

What does love look like in action?

Orleen Haseltin
Maranatha Assemblies of God
Department of Women and Home Studies
651-464-3131
kellie@realchurch.org

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