“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.” – 1 Tim. 2:1,3-4
Today marks the beginning of Holy Week, a sacred time commemorating the final days of Jesus’ life on this earth. As we celebrate the Lord’s resurrection and victory over death next Sunday, we must be mindful of why Jesus came in the first place – “to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).”
Those of us who have been wonderously saved by grace must not forget why we are here. Our mission is the same – to bring glory to God and to bring people to Him.
What should we be doing this week to prepare for Easter? We must get on our knees and pray. God is working in the lives of people all around us, and it’s vital that we intercede for them.
Following is a prayer guide to get you started. May God do what only He can do this week – open hearts and draw people to Himself.
Monday – Unsaved members in your family; pray that the Lord would stir their hearts this week and that they would realize their need for Jesus.
Tuesday – Divine appointments to share Christ; ask God to open your eyes to see hurting people that He brings across your path; boldness to speak truth.
Wednesday – Unsaved friends; pray for opportunities; invite them to church this Sunday; ask God to break down the walls in their hearts.
Thursday – Missionaries around the world; pray for specific ones you know by name; strength and protection as they reach the lost; ask God to give them a great harvest; pray for the people groups they are working with, that the Lord will do a mighty work and many would be saved.
Friday – Christians all around the world as we reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins; that we would spend time meditating on God’s great love for us and that this time of reflection would result in thanksgiving and praise to the Lord; we would be fervent in prayer over the next three days and ready to share Christ.
Saturday – Your pastor and leadership team; pray for the Holy Spirit’s anointing over your pastor, that the Lord would go before him and prepare his heart for what to share on Sunday; pray for the Holy Spirit to move powerfully in the services.
Sunday – That the lost would be found today and brought into God’s kingdom; that those for whom we’ve been praying would respond to God’s invitation for salvation; that nothing would prevent people from going to church today if the Spirit is calling them.