Several weeks ago The Church at Martinsburg hosted a teaching event centered on prayer. During this time Winfield Bevins, pastor of Church OBX, shared about the five instrumental areas of prayer. I thought this information was helpful and I want to share it with you today. You can read more of Winfield’s writings here.
You may be asking yourself the question, “What should I pray for whenever I pray?” There are five major areas we should pray for in our daily prayer life. Each one represents a circle of influence and authority that God gives us to pray for. When praying we should start with the first area and then work our way down to the last.
Our Families & Friends
Acts 16:31, gives us the promise that our households will be saved. More specifically, the word for household refers to our circle of influence. Begin to pray for your friends and families that God would move in their lives. Intercession is about our responsibility to pray for others and that begins with those closest to us.
Our Church
The next area that we should pray for is the church. Practically everyone of Paul’s letters open with a personal prayer for the church. In Romans 8:9 Paul reminds the church, “As God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.” We should pray daily for our churches, church workers, pastors and leaders. These people have a great burden to bear.
The City
The prophet Jeremiah tells us that we should, “seek the peace of the city…and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7). In other words, we will be blessed by praying for the blessing of our community or city. Don’t give up on your city, but pray that Jesus would be glorified in your city.
Our Nation
Next we are to always pray for our nation. Nehemiah was a man who had a great burden to bring revival and restoration to Israel. He prayed, “please let your ears be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of your servant which I pray before you now day and night, for the children of Israel Your servant.” (Nehemiah 1:6). God heard his prayers and brought restoration to the land and He promises to hear our prayers for your nation.
Our World
Lastly, we should pray for the people and governments of the world. Although you may never leave your country, you can still have an influence in the lives of others across the world by praying for them. Remember it is God’s desire to save the elect. Ask the Lord to speak to you about a certain country that you should pray for. God promises to listen when we pray.
