Proverbs 24:17-18 (ESV)
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and turn away his anger from him.
Matthew 5:44-45
I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
No gloating.
Are you guilty of these not-nice actions?
The prophet Ezekiel prophesied disaster for nations doing these things.
(from Ezekiel 25, 29, 31 – MSG)
Because you cheered when my Sanctuary was desecrated . . .
Because the Philistines were so spitefully vengeful . . .
Because you said, “It’s my Nile. I made it” . . .
Because it skyscrapered upward, piercing the clouds, swaggering and proud . . .
Not nice for a nation—not so good in people either.
Joseph and Daniel are Old Testament examples of godly advisors to heads of state. Surely there are many men and women of God behind the scenes in national, state and local government.
Capitol Ministries is one organization working to make disciples of Jesus Christ in the political arena.
“We are following God’s command to reach the leaders of our troubled world—for only through obedience to God is true hope and change possible.”
Let’s support them with prayer.
Lord God, we pray for the Christian men and women who work in government in the US and around the world. May the godly wisdom they offer be respected and valued. Open doors for Capitol Ministries and other organizations as they work to establish Bible study and prayer groups in every capitol.
I can send a prayer anywhere–
1 Timothy 2:1 (MSG)
Pray every way you know how,
for everyone you know.
I can send my prayers off to the White House, into the secret corners of North Korea, over crowded slums, behind jailhouse bars, into the halls of the school down the street. There’s nowhere my prayer can’t go.
“The more praying there is in the world,
the better the world will be;
the mightier the forces against evil everywhere.“
E.M. Bounds, 1835-1913
Job 21:22 (ERV)
No one can teach God anything
he doesn’t already know.
You don’t have to explain the details to God. God knows. 
How and when do you pray for others?
Children often pray, “God bless Mommy, God bless Daddy.” That’s a good start.
And it’s one-size-fits all.
Specific situations call for specific prayers. Don’t be afraid to ask, “God, what’s your will for this person or problem?” That’s your target.
Ready, aim . . . PRAY!
“We want to encourage the nation to make Chicago their prayer target.”
Pastor Dimas Salaberrios
Concerts of Prayer Greater New York
The violence in Chicago is prayer-worthy. In the first half of August, more than 100 were shot and more than 15 killed.
The “Jesus Summer” is a 40-day outreach (started July 14) as a Christian response to the violence in Chicago. Some pray on street corners, some go door-to-door, some feed the homeless, some set up programs for children. The goal is the transformation of the city through the transformation of the souls who live there. Let’s join in and target Chicago with our prayers.
Lord God, we grieve for these young lives needlessly lost. Our hearts, like yours, break for those who think violence is the answer. Change their hearts, O God. Transform the city from a place where blood is poured out in anger to a place transformed by the blood of Christ. In His power we pray.
“Why are we so terrified for God to speak to us? It is because we know that when God speaks we must either do what He asks or tell Him we will not obey.“
Oswald Chambers (1874-1917)
My Utmost for His Highest, Feb. 12
God rarely offers suggestions.
