Why Pray For The Body Of Christ

PrayerIntercession
Written By Niyi Adams

Why pray for the body of Christ

  • The birth of Jesus was purposed to bring a change to a dark, gloomy, and violent period. Isaiah 9:1-7 NKJV 

  • Even though Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He was born for warfare (Matthew 10:34-42 NLT, 1 John 3:8 NLT, John 10:10 NLT, Luke 4:18-19 NLT ).

  • The birth of Jesus was midwifed by sacrificial intercessors… Simeon and Anna (Luke 2:21-40 NLT). Simeon was old and ready to die but the Holy Spirit did not release him until Christ was born. Anna became a widow at an early age. With no mention of children, she had been devoted to intercession for decades. 

  • Darkness is always trying to extinguish the light.  We pray so that the light should not be extinguished (2 Samuel 21:15-17 NLT ).

  •  Jesus is the light of the world. The enemy tried to snuff Him out as a baby. John 9:5 NLT, Matthew 2:7-8 NKJV, Matthew 2:12-18 NLT 

  • The body of Christ is the light of the world.  Matthew 5:14 NKJV 

  •  The church  was birthed in warfare and has always been in warfare Matthew 16:18 NLT 

  •  The enemy has never stopped fighting us… either through persecution, compromise, apathy or lukewarmness. Acts 8:3-4 NLT, Revelation 2:8-10 NLT, Revelation 2:13-16 NLT, Revelation 3:14-19 NLT

  • Prayer is the only effective weapon of defense and offense.  James 5:13-15 (NLT) 

  • Prayer Keeps Our Lamps Burning Matthew 25:1-13

  • God has promised to move when His people pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT) 

How should we pray for the body of Christ?

  • Ask for mercy for all
    None of us is exempt. We dare not stand in judgment against anybody.
    We should judge ourselves and pray for mercy before God's judgment comes. 
    1 Corinthians 11:31 NLT

  • Our prayers will have little fire if we think we are fine. 
    James 5:16-17 NLT, Isaiah 53:6 NLT, Romans 3:23 NLT 

  • Pray following Biblical patterns
    Nehemiah 1:5-7 NLT, Daniel 9:4-19 NLT

  • Ask for the Spirit of supplication
    Zechariah 12:10 (NKJV)

  • Ask for a return to prayer
    Acts 6:1-4 (NLT) 

  • Ask for a return to love of God
    Revelation 2:3-4 (NLT) 

  • Ask for a return to the preaching of the gospel.
    Romans 1:16
    1 Corinthians 1:21-25

  • Ask for an end to distractions 
    Matthew 24:45-51 NLT 

  • Ask for healing for the wounded and the discouraged
    Isaiah 35:6 NLT

  • Ask for strength for the weak 
    Hebrews 12:12-13 NLT

  • Ask for courage the fearful
    Ephesians 6:18-20 NLT 

  • Ask for revival
    Hosea 6:1-3 NLT, Habakkuk 3:2 NKJV 

Niyi Adams
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