WORSHIP
God’s Character: We want to begin our prayer time by focusing on God and worshipping Him for who He is and what He does.
This week, as we pray for JUSTICE FOR THE OPPRESSED, take time to focus on who God is as King and the fact that He is not a King who came to be served, but to serve-
- The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. -Psalm 103: 6,8
- Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many -Matthew 20:26-28
- In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness -Phil 2:6-8
During the song, take time to connect with God’s heart-who He is and what He does and focus on His presence with you.
Song: King of Kings
THANKSGIVING
Take time to thank God for the ways you’ve experienced or seen Him at work (both directly and through others) bringing about justice for those who are oppressed (burdened by abuse of power or authority). There are a few passages below to give some guidance if needed-
- He has freed us from the oppression of the enemy: He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. -Colossians 1:13-14
- The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. -Luke 4:18-19
- He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. -Psalm 9:8-9
CONFESSION/REPENTANCE
We want to take time to confess personal sins we have committed. We can also pray a prayer of corporate confession on behalf of a people/community (see Daniel 9).
Take time to confess any areas of sin God brings to mind (personal or corporate) around the idea of justice for the oppressed, and ask Him to give us clean hands and pure hearts (Psalm 24).
- God, forgive us for any practices of dishonest gain and for oppressing others in order to promote ourselves. Help us to be faithful stewards of what you have given us and to use those gifts to bless others.
- Forgive us when we have not considered others needs ahead of our own and have used our authority to harm instead of help.
- Forgive us when we have used our words to tear others down instead of building them up in love.
INTERCESSION
We will see justice for the oppressed as those who are in authority are conformed into the image of Jesus and become like Him. Take time to pray now for those in authority- that they would recognize God’s justice and mercy in their own lives and treat those under their authority in the same way.
- Government Leaders- Pray those in authority would submit to God’s authority and make decisions not based on seeking power for themselves, but seeking the welfare of others. -1 Timothy 2:1
- Business Owners and Managers-Pray managers and owners would serve wholeheartedly, as if they were serving the Lord, not people, because they know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Pray they would treat their employees in the same way- not threatening them, recognizing their Master is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. -Ephesians 6:9
- Parents – Pray parents would have patience and grace to not exasperate their children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. -Ephesians 6:14
- Teachers- Pray teachers would set an example by doing what is good, showing integrity (Titus 2:7), and encourage and build up those under their authority.
We also want to pray for the oppressed. Some of our ministry partners serve those who are currently, or at risk of, being sexually exploited. Below are some requests shared by them.
Table on Delk: www.thetableondelk.org
- Pray those participating in wickedness will be found out and repent (2 Corinthians 7:10) – and that their knowledge of the evils being done will instead be used for good to help bring an end to it.
- Pray those who are being oppressed will not lose hope (Jeremiah 29:11) – that they will encounter God’s love and by His grace, have their lives restored.
- Pray for vision and resources for a long-term care model to serve this population of women and children.
313 Ministries: 313ministries.org
- Pray as we navigate our calling to link arms with other ministries to help bring justice for the oppressed (to set captives free) and empower women to be who Christ created them to be.
Praying for the Lost: Each week we also want to pray for someone in our life that doesn’t yet know the love of Jesus. Pray they would experience God’s love and turn to Him for their salvation. |
|
