Families are the building blocks of society and the church.  We cannot afford to sit idly by and allow Satan to destroy our families.

When Sanballat heard that Nehemiah was building the walls of Jerusalem, he was filled with great wrath and conspired to fight against him.  Today when we seek to build godly homes, the enemy continually seeks to

hinder.  Our only hope is to follow Nehemiah's  example: "Nevertheless  we made our prayer unto our God and set a watch against them day and night"  (Nehemiah 4:9).  The determined Israelites held in one hand a tool with which to build and in the other hand a weapon to fight the enemy.  Only vigilant, intercessory prayer and spiritual warfare will lead us to victory for our families.   Let us take courage from Nehemiah's advice:  Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great ... and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses .... our God shall fight for us"  (Nehemiah 4:14, 20).

Pray for husbands to:

1.           Be spiritual leaders in their homes (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

It is difficult for a woman and children to find their proper place in the divine scheme for the family when the father is out of his place.

 He is designed to be the spiritual head of the family.  When he fails to be the spiritual leader, his wife is unfairly forced to assume this role.  Pray that the husband's love and devotion to God and his steadfast faithfulness will set the example for his family to follow.

2.          Love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).

Love is not a gushy feeling of the moment.  Love is commitment-through the good times and bad.  Pray that the husband's love for his wife would be as pure and eternal as Christ's love for the church.

Raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

Fathers teach children how to bait hooks and how to drive the family automobile.  However, the greatest lesson they can teach their children is to fear the Lord and to walk humbly before Him.  Pray that fathers would teach Christian principles to their children by precept and example.

Pray for wives to:

1.          Seek God and love His word supremely (Matthew 6:33).

Just as diet helps to determine our physical health, what we read, watch, and listen help to determine our mental, emotional, and spiritual health.  Pray that the wife's love for the Word would keep her thoughts pure and holy.

2.           Be subject to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:24).

Eve was created to be a helper suitable for Adam.  Although she was not inferior to him, she was to follow his leadership.  Pray that the wife would have a godly respect for her husband.

3.           Teach their children to have faith in God (II Timothy 1:5).

The mother is a child's first teacher.  She instills many of her values subjectively through her priorities and actions.  Pray that the mother's example of holiness and dedication would transmit her faith in God to her child.

4.          Be content and not given to covetousness (Hebrews 13:5).

Modern advertising and the values of a new generation have made what once was luxuries now seem necessities.   In such an environment it is easy for the wife to want what the family cannot afford and put undue pressure on her husband and family.  Pray that she would be thankful for the bounty that God has already

"Children are an heritage of the Lord"  (Psalm 127:3).

A burdened heart ... arising in the night ...crying out to God . . .  uplifted hands ... flowing tears ... desperation.  This is the picture in Lamentations 2. It is the "daughters of Zion," the church, pleading with God for their young children swooning (dying), fainting because of hunger (both spiritual and natural) in the street (Lamentations 2:11).

Too often young children are considered insignificant and unimportant when it comes to spiritual matters.  When this nonchalant attitude toward young children exists, they are neglected in prayer. If we choose to follow the example of Jesus, children will be an extremely vital part of our prayers. Jesus pressed little children and infants close to His heart.  He prayed for them and blessed them.  When He was criticized for this action, He was moved with indignation and emphatically declared, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God" (Mark 10:14).  (Also see Luke 18:15-18.)  When religious leaders of Jesus' day observed the wonderful things Jesus did and the children crying in the Temple, "Hosanna to the son of David," they were irate and demanded of Jesus, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"  Jesus answered, "Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"  (Matthew 21:15-17). (Also see Psalm 8:2.)

Pray for the children of the world.  Satanic influence begins, in too many cases, before the birth of a child.  Drug­ addicted, sin-laden, idol-worshiping parents are oblivious to the effects their lifestyle perpetuates upon their offspring.  Look for news reports about places and people whose lives are bound with idolatry and other ungodly practices.  Pray for the innocent children brought into these situations.  Pray for the children who live in these nations.  Focus on the troubles of those nations and pray accordingly.  Never give up praying for the Lord to send laborers into these places to bring the good news of the power of God to deliver from sin and fill these lost souls with His Holy Spirit.

Who will put forth the time and effort to maximize instead of minimize the influence God will have upon a child's life if prayer is made for them?

Along with this prayer, pray for the children around the world who are mistreated, abused, and erroneously led into false teachings that will cause their souls to be lost in eternity unless they are reached with truth.

Pray for your children and your friend's children. Your own children and those of your friends are most familiar to you.  These children are the closest to you. You know many of their needs. In many cases you are aware of their spiritual standing with God. Pray for their salvation.  Pray that God will strengthen their weaknesses in spiritual things.  Pray for them to use their talents and gifts for the glory of God and his kingdom.

Pray for your neighborhood children.  Every neighborhood has its own set of problems.  Instead of complaining, pray!  Prayer will make a difference!  Pray for the unruly child in your neighborhood.  Pray for the neighborhood bully.  He may only need to know somebody loves him and is praying for him. Pray for all the children in your community that they will be blessed of the Lord. Jesus loves them no matter what home they have and no matter how sinful and mischievous they may be. As we pray, we must also love them as Jesus loves them.

Pray for children of leaders.  There is a furious attack from the devil upon leadership in the end time.  The enemy knows he can cause within leaders frustration, confusion, and often despair when he attacks their children.  Satan is no gentleman.  He is ruthless.  He barges in, if he possibly can, and wreaks havoc in children's lives.  He has

no care just because they are innocent children. His vicious venom is prepared to contaminate the children of leaders.  Pray for your church leaders' children-the minister's children, the Sunday school teacher's children and all other leadership's children.  Pray for your local, state, and national leaders' children.  You may sense a special anointing when you pray for leaders' children.  If this is so, possibly God has called you for special intercession in this area.

Search until you can find the names of all the children for whom you are praying.  Perhaps it will be possible to find some of their most crucial needs.  Focus your praying.  Pray specifically for these children by name and for their individual needs. In your spirit, hold them close as you would hold your own children and love them with your heart!

The prayers of the righteous avail muchI  Thousand of tons of snow have been known to thunder down a mountainside because one skier shouted a few words.  The snow was ready to move. It only needed a small disturbance.

So it is with prayer when it moves the Holy Spirit into action. A few words, focused, fervently and fitly spoken in prayer with faith in the name of Jesus, can set off an avalanche of God's power in the lives of children throughout the world.

Pray for children to:

1.          Become sensitive and responsive to God at an early age (I Samuel 3:1-14).

Samuel's childhood and youth show that children can be sensitive and responsive to God at an early age.  Pray that they would keep their hearts attuned to God.  Pray that parents would have the wisdom to recognize their children's sensitivity and guide them.

2.          Be obedient to parents (Epesians 6:1).

The fifth commandment  is the only one with a promise.  Pray that the parents would have the wisdom to discipline their children properly (Ephesians 6:4).   Pray that the children would receive the discipline as an act of love (Hebrews 12:5-8).

3.           Heed their parents' godly teaching and example (Proverbs 1:8).

Although parents are still the greatest influence in a child's life, school, media, and friends are also sources of influence.  Pray that children would be more swayed by the example of their godly parents and the teachings of the Word of God than by peer pressure or worldly environment.

4.   Follow Christ's example and grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

Luke wrote that Jesus was subject to Mary and Joseph and that He grew mentally (wisdom), physically (stature), spiritually (God), and socially (man).  It is God's will that our children be well-rounded  individuals.  Pray that they would develop in each of these areas as they grow.

Families are the building blocks of society and the church.  We cannot afford to sit idly by and allow Satan to destroy our families.  We must be vigilant and pray for our families to be protected from evil and to be a place of safety.  As Nehemiah built the walls of Jerusalem, so can we build walls of prayer and faith around our families. We must do it for Jesus' sake and our own.

Five Ways to Pray for Your Spouse

Here are five suggestions on how to pray specifically for your spouse:

 

1. Pray for your spouse's spouse.

That means you. "[Your heart] must be clean before God  in order for you to see good results/  wrote Stormie Omartian in The Power of a Praying Wife. "If you have resentment, anger, unforgiveness, or an ungodly attitude, even ifthere's good reason for it, you'll have a difficult time seeing answers to your prayers. But if you can [confess and repent of] those feelings to God  in total honesty, and then move into prayer, there is nothing that can change a marriage  more dramatically."

2. Pray for your spouse's relationship with God.

Pray that your spouse would know God, trust God and remain  in Him. Jesus says in John 15:5, "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I   in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing." Nothing means that without Jesus, your spouse can't be patient, unconditionally love you, nor be the man/woman you need.

Rather than nagging about a growing "honey-do" list or an area of weakness in your spouse, "pray before you say." Openly communicate with each other, but pray that your spouse would spend time listening to God. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide ultimate correction.

3. Pray for their God-given role.

Wives, pray for your husband's leadership  in your marriage. Ask God to give him strength to carry out his responsibilities and help him prioritize time with his family. The Lord has entrusted many things to you both­ money, time, a home-so pray for your husband to be a wise manager of God's gifts.

Husb nds,

can come alongside to help you. Ask God to remind her to pray about her worries so she'll experience Christ's peace. Pray that her day will go smoothly  and she would accomplish much.

4. Pray for strong relationships with godly members of the same sex.

Same-sex friendships are vital.  If a person looks to their spouse to meet all their friendship needs, chances are their spouse will eventually  crumple under the pressure. But remember, those whom your spouse spends extra time with will shape them as a person. Pray that he/she would be surrounded with followers of Jesus Christ.

5. Pray practically.

Good intentions don't naturally lead to good results. You have to have a plan. Pick Scripture by which to pray for your spouse, then put it on your dashboard and pray while on your morning commute. As you fold your spouse's laundry, pray for them or use your lunch hour once a week to pray.

Resist the temptation to turn this into an obligatory checklist. Instead, this guide highlights areas where spouses need prayer. Your spouse is God's gift to you; take time to speak with Him about that gift. I   wish I could say I   prayed for Aaron for hours each day, but that's not the case. Some days, as I  drift off to sleep, I   just ask God to bless his work tomorrow and keep my spouse safe.

In his first epistle to Timothy, Paul wrote, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.  For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour" (I Timothy 2:1-3).

To Titus, the apostle wrote, "Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work" {Titus 3:1). It is God's will for Christians to be good citizens.  We are to obey the laws of the land.  We are to respect those in public office.  And we are to pray for government officials.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God.

 

When you pray, pray for ...

 

1.           The president or prime minister, his cabinet members, and his advisors.

*Pray that he would have the moral and political courage to do what is best for the nation.

*Pray that he would set high moral and ethical standards of conduct for himself and those associated with him, setting and example for other world leaders to follow.

*Pray that he would surround himself with people of integrity and godly wisdom.

*Pray that he would have a "Daniel" to reveal the things of God to him.

 

2.          The Supreme Court.

As the small rudder of a large ship determines its direction, the decisions of the men and women of the Supreme

Court affect the course of North American society.

*Pray that the justices would be just and upright in their decisions.

*Pray that the Holy Spirit would give them wisdom and insight.

*Pray that men and women of high moral character and sharp, legal minds would be added to the bench as the older justices are replaced.

 

3.          For Congress or Parliament.

Members of Congress or Parliament establish the laws that govern our nation.

*Pray for people of integrity and moral character to be elected to these chambers.

*Pray that they would have strength to withstand political corruption.

*Pray that they would have vision and wisdom to pass the laws to promote domestic tranquility while keeping the nation safe internationally.

 

4.           For the governor or premier and state or provincial officials.

*Pray that the governor or premier and state or provincial officials would see what is best for the state or province and not what is just politically expedient to satisfy lobbyists.

*Pray that they would be of high moral character, sensitive to divine leadership, and strong enough to resist, political corruption.

5.          County commissioners, mayor, and city council.

The mayor, council members, and commissioners are our neighbors and reside in our communities.

*Pray that they would seek the good of the city and county and not just their own.

*Pray that they would be men and women of morality and integrity, with strength of character.

*Pray that would promote peace and tranquility in the communities.

*Pray that they would help establish an environment that helps the church to fulfill its commission.*Pray that the city or county's laws and ordinances would not hinder the growth of the church as it seeks to reach out to the lost and to build new facilities.

 

6.          Civil service personnel that protect and service our communities.

Police officers, fire fighters, sanitation workers, hospital workers, and other such men and women help to make our communities safe and comfortable places to live.

*Pray that God would protect them and keep them safe and that we all may live in security and peace. 

Behind every great leader, there is someone who is willing to sacrifice for him. This is true of the heroes of the Bible; it is just as true of today's pastors.  They need people who will intercede for them in powerful, consistent, specific prayer. An intercessor is someone who bears another's burdens.  When Moses' hands were tired, Aaron and Hur interceded by holding up his hands, and the battle was won (Exodus 17:8-13).  Likewise, we can hold up the hands of our pastors through prayer and see God win the battle in our churches and cities!

Jesus called three of His disciples to go with Him into one of His brightest hours and one of His darkest hours. Each time the assignment was the same:  to pray for Him. Because they were willing to pray, they had the opportunity to minister to the One who ministered to so many others. They saw Him during His struggle and they saw Him in His glory. If Jesus needed men to pray for Him, how much does your pastor want and need your prayers?

If the truth were known, the hearts of pastors all over the world are echoing the cry of the apostle Paul:

 

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds:  that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" (Ephesians 6:18-20).

There are three reasons why you should pray for your pastor:

#1  Love: "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). When you pray for your pastor, you are helping him bear the burden of the ministry.  You are showing your love for him, and thereby obeying the greatest commandment-the law of love.

#2 Humility: Intercessory prayer focuses on his needs. This kind of prayer will break the chains of pride that

keep so many people from becoming what they could be in God.  You will be submitting yourself to him in the true biblical sense, which produces tremendous power.

 

#3 Unity:  Praying for your pastor-his personal and ministerial needs-will bind your heart together with his.  As you promote the work of the kingdom and unite with your pastor in his vision for your church and city, you will become a vessel for the Spirit to move through.  It was this kind of unity that preceded the first revival of the New Testament church-the Day of Pentecost.

 

The burden of today's ministers is a heavy one.  But you can help your pastor fulfill his God-given call through intercessory prayer.  The greatest gift you can give your pastor is prayer.

*Personal Prayer Needs

 

Humility: Pray that your pastor would walk humbly with His God, seeking His will and direction in all things (Micah

6:8). Pray that his heart would be strong in the midst of trials and accusation and that he would commit himself into the hands of Him who judges righteously (I Peter 2:23). Pray that he would learn and grow through every

circumstance and that he would give God glory for every victory. Pray that he would give thanks in all things, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus.

Relationships:  Personal contact is a powerful force in our lives, either for good or for evil (I Corinthians 15:33). Pray that your pastor would not be corrupted by the necessary contact with a sinful world and that his heart would withstand the influences of his wordly acquaintances.  More importantly, pray that he would influence every

person he meets for good and that he would be a shining witness in his personal life for the Lord Jesus Christ. Especially pray for peace in his dealings with people-his family, friends, business associates, and church members, for disharmony can produce a great deal of unnecessary stress.

Balance: "If you go too far to one extreme or the other, you'll wind up in a ditch."  Pray that your pastor would maintain a steady, consistent walk, and that he would not be swayed by dangerous extremes. Pray that his course would be steadfast and unwavering. Pray that his character would combine the strength and gentleness of the Lord-the Lion and the Lamb.

*Family Prayer Needs

Relationships: A pastor's family is usually overworked, under-appreciated, and misunderstood.  There is a lot of pressure in being the family of a full-time minister.  Late night phone calls, early morning trips to the airport, staying all night with a sick church member-all of these take a toll on a family.  Pray for the peace of God to

cover and protect the fabric of your pastor's family.  Pray that God's anointing would ease the friction and produce a loving atmosphere.  Pray that your pastor would be a godly leader of his home, giving his family the love and attention they need to grow. Pray that your pastor's income would meet the needs and realistic desires of his family.

Protection: Satan has targeted your pastor, and that means his family is under the gun. The enemy will try to get at him through his family. Pray a covering of God's protection over the family of your pastor. Pray against negative pressures and distractions. Pray that as your pastor abides in the presence of God that no destructive force would touch his home and that God's angels would keep his family (Psalm 91:9-11).

*Spiritual Prayer Needs

Power: Pray that your pastor would be energized by the Holy Ghost for his daily pastorial duties. Pastoring means so much more than preaching, and your pastor needs spiritual vitality to help meet the needs of others day in and day out.  Bless him with all the strength and power that he needs. Pray that he would be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and that he would be prepared to do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Philippians 4:13).

Holiness:  Pray for a hedge of purity around your pastor.  Cover his eyes, his mind, his steps, and his heart with holiness that he would not fall into temptation or the snares of the devil.  Pray for his words to be seasoned with grace and for his mind to be stayed on the Lord. Pray that he would be well pleasing in all things to God.

Accountability:  God's ministers must be accountable. Many of the attacks of the enemy can be warded off or avoided completely if the man of God is protected by being transparent with another strong man of God.  Pray that God would bring such a man into your pastor's life and that God would continue to cultivate that relationship. Pray that your pastor will remain open to such a friendship.

Warfare:  Jesus said, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered" (Mark 14:27).  Satan knows that if he can bring down the man of God, the work of God will be severely hindered in your city. Pray the armor of God over your pastor (Ephesians 6:10-18).  Quote Scriptures for his protection (Psalm 91; Luke 19:10; etc.).  Pray that no weapon formed against him would prosper (Isaiah 54:17), that he would not be ignorant of the enemy's devices, and that the enemy would not gain advantage over him (II Corinthians 2:11).

*Leadership and Church Work Prayer Needs

In the City: Pray that God's people would be called forth from every corner of the city and even from without the city and be gathered together to your pastor.  Pray that every one that God has ordained to ministry will come and submit themselves to him (Psalm 18:44).  Pray that he would be anointed to be a leader in your community.

Pulpit Ministry:  Pray for God's anointing to rest heavily upon your pastor and that God would be prepare him for that anointing. Pray that the Word of God would come alive as he preaches. Pray for a burning conviction to grip the hearts of everyone-saint and sinner alike-that is not right with God. Pray that his study of preparation time would be protected so that he can receive from God the message He has for your church. Pray that his

preaching would magnify Christ in all things and that as Christ is lifted up He would draw all men unto Himself.

Vision:  Pray that your pastor would receive God's direction and vision for your church.  Pray that he would be sensitive to the needs of the congregation as he leads and that he would feed the flock that which they need of.

Counseling: Pray that God's wisdom would flow through your pastor as he deals with the problems of people. Pray that he would be protected from the pressure of sinful, negative, and antagonistic spirits that he may encounter during counseling. Pray that he would be anointed to give beauty for ashes and the oil of gladness for those that mourn (Isaiah 61:3).

Finances:  Pray for wisdom in handling the church finances and for strength to bear the pressure of financial responsibilities.  Pray for God's blessings on your church that you might be the head and not the tail.  Pray that the church's stewardship over money would glorify God and help establish the work of God in your city.

Be assured that praying for your pastor is both necessary and biblical.  It is also a source of blessing in your own life, if you labor and faint not. God Himself will reward your labor of love as you follow the biblical mandate to support leadership.

The following are suggested verses that you can pray over your youth.  There is one verse for each day of the month.

 

1.  Pray for a spirit of Humility.  "The willingness to submit" (James 4:10).

2.·  Pray for a spirit of Reverence.  "The fear of the Lord'' (Proverbs 9:10).

3.  Pray for a spirit of Purity.  "A desire to be clean" (Matthew 5:8).

4.  Pray for a spirit of Purpose.  "A wisdom to set goals" (Proverbs 4:25).

5.  Pray for a spirit of Simplicity.  "A lifestyle uncluttered" (Romans 12:8).

6.  Pray for a spirit of Commitment.  "A dedication to the 'cause'" (Joshua 24:15).

7.  Pray for a spirit of Diligence.  "A willingness to work hard" (II Peter 1:Sf

8.  Pray for a spirit of Servanthood.  "The ministry of helps!' (Galatians 6:9,10).

9.  Pray for a spirit of Consistency.  "The quality of faithfulness" (James 1:8).

10.Pray for a spirit of Assurance.  11A depth of faith" (Hebrews 10:22).

11.Pray for a spirit of Availability.  "A willingness to go." (lsa. 6:8).

12.Pray for a spirit of Loyalty.  "A zeal for fidelity" (Ruth 1:16).

13.Pray for a spirit of Sensitivity.  "Openness of heart" (Luke 10: 30-37).

14. Pray for a spirit of Compassion.  "Love in action" (Mark 8:1,2).

15.Pray for a spirit of Tenderness.  "A willingness to weep" (II Kings 22:19).

16. Pray for a spirit of Maturity.  "The capacity to grow" (Hebrews 5: 12-14).

17.Pray for a spirit of Holiness.  "Christ-like behaviour" (I Peter 1:16).

18.Pray for a spirit of Reliability.  "A depth of dependability." (I Corinthians 4:2).

19.Pray for a spirit of Revelation.  "Learning to listen" (Ephesians 1:15,18).

20.Pray for a spirit of Denial.  "A sacrifice to surrender" (Luke 9:23).

21.Pray for a spirit of Confidence.  "The strength of the Lord" (Phillipians 4:13).

22.Pray for a spirit of Integrity.  "The quality of truthfulness" (Romans 12:17).

23.Pray for a spirit of Repentance.  "A willingness. to change" (Luke 3:8).

24.Pray for a spirit of Trust.  "A fearless reliance" (Psalm 125.:1).

25.Pray for a spirit of Submission.  "Choosing to yield" (EphE?sians 5:21).

26.Pray for a spirit of Teachability.  '1A quality of meekness" (Titus 3:2).

27.Pray for a spirit of Prayer.  "A longing to wait" (Isa. 40:31).

28.Pray for a spirit of Unity.  "A.respect for others" (I Corinthians 1:10)..

29.Pray for a spirit of Restoration.  "A ministry of healing" (Isa. 61:1,2).

30. Pray for a spirit of Authority.  "A capacity to command" (Matthew 16:19).

31. Pray for a spirit of Giving.  "The desire to give" (Matthew 10:8).