WHAT DO WE PRAY FOR WHEN PRAYING FOR THE KINGDOM?

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands…” 1 Timothy 2:8.

“Rejoice at all times. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

The Bible admonishes us to pray always, without ceasing. If we are to pray at all times, then what then should be the subject of our prayers, ourselves? Are we to pray for our personal needs without ceasing? I think not. I mean, there is only so much of your personal needs you can pray for.

“First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone” 2 Timothy 2:1.

“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” Ephesians 6:18.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6.

1. We pray for the Body of Christ – that is, believers.

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.“ Colossians 4:12.

• We pray for a revival in the Body of Christ. “O LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe, O LORD, of Your deeds. Revive them in these years; make them known in these years. In Your wrath, remember mercy!” Habakkuk 3:2
• We pray for challenged believers around us to be strengthened and emerge victorious over the battles of life. As we pray, we stand on the promises of God in the area they are challenged. “So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” Luke 13:16.

“Is anyone among you suffering hardships? Let him pray…” James 5:13.

• We pray for signs and wonders in our midst as believers. “The LORD openeth the eyes of the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down…” Psalm 146:8.
• We pray that the Light of God floods the heart of every believer. “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:17-19.
• We pray for believers to live a life pleasing to God. “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” Colossians 1:9-10.
• We pray for the Spirit of Obedience to consume every believer. “And I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” Ezekiel 36:27.
• We pray for the Love of God to keep burning in the hearts of believers. “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11.
• We pray for fresh fire on our prayer alters. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication…” Zechariah 12:10.

• We pray for believers to be liberated from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit. “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1.
• We pray for healing and total restoration for anyone going through a health challenge. “And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.'” Matthew 8:7. See also Job 33:21-25, Mark 2:12, Psalm 107:20.
• We pray for everyone without a job and means of income to be productively engaged. Genesis 26:14, John16:24 – “…Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
• We pray for everyone being oppressed by the devil in one way or the other. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Acts 10:38.
• We pray for every believer desiring to be married to be settled martially and divinely connected to their God-appointed spouse. Proverbs 18:22 – “He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD.”

Psalm 34:10 – “…But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.”

• We also pray for those who want to be fruitful in their bodies to receive supernatural conception and delivery. “You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young.” Deuteronomy 7:14.
• We pray that every believer is turned into a living wonder among men to turn many to God to fulfill Bible prophecies. “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”” Zechariah 8:23.
• We pray for the grace to serve God in increasing capacities on the prayer altars, on the harvest field, in missions, etc. “In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” Acts 2:17.
• We pray for the spirit of ingratitude, depression, and suicide to take its hold off God’s people. “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.

And many more.

2. We pray that the hearts of the unsaved be turned to our God.

• We pray for the salvation of souls around us. “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those having been sanctified by faith in Me.” Acts 26:18.

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1.

• We pray to tear down every veil turning the hearts of men away from the gospel of Christ. “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4.
• We pray that the hearts of men and women be turned to seek the Living God. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44.
• We pray for angelic ministration among God’s people. Acts 8:26-

“Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:37.

• We pray for our new converts to be established in the Faith for life. “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29.
• We pray for our new converts to experience a testimony of God in their lives. “…There is one thing I do know: I was blind, but now I see!” John 9:25.

3. We pray for those serving God in various capacities.

• We pray for the influx of laborers into the harvest field.

“Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:37-38.

• We pray for empowerment for those serving God on the mission fields. “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man” Ephesians 3:16.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8.

• We pray for the zeal of the Lord to consume people’s hearts to serve God. “I will take of the Spirit that is upon you and will put the same upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you may not bear it yourself alone.” Numbers 11:17.
• We pray for fresh fire on our prayer alters. “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication…” Zechariah 12:10.

4. We pray for the Word of God to remain ever fresh upon the altars of our churches. “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you” 2 Thessalonians 3:1.

• We pray for the Word of God to be spoken with boldness. “Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak Your Word with great boldness.” Acts 4:29.
• We pray for the rain of God’s Word that produces supernatural breakthroughs, favor, peace, and all-round rest. “When He had come to His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works?'” Matthew 13:54.
• We pray for speedy confirmation of the Word in our midst as believers that will bring the miracles, signs, and wonders that we believe for. “And through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” Acts 5:12, 14.
• We pray for the Word of God to abound mightily in our midst to bring healing and deliverance. “He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20.

5. We pray for the leaders of the churches.

• We pray for the security and protection of the leaders of our churches and their families. “… ‘Strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’…” Zechariah 13:7.

“Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.” 2 Thessalonians 3:2.

• We pray for wisdom for everyone in Leadership of the churches and nations. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone — for kings and all those in authority— so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. This is good and pleasing in the sight of God, our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5.

• We pray for fresh oil upon the leaders of churches at various capacities to discharge their duties effectively. “I have found David, My servant; with My holy oil have I anointed him:” Psalm 89:20.
• We pray for a new dimension of revelation for the leaders and pastors of our churches. “But Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'” John 6:68.
• We pray for heightened sensitivity to God and His leadings for all our pastors and leaders so they can lead the church the way Jesus would. “And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!'” Mark 6:2.
• We pray that God orders the steps of our pastors and leaders, and their families in the Will of God. “Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of your times, and the strength of salvation; the fear of the LORD is His treasure.” Isaiah 33:6.
• We pray for our pastors that they shall have the wisdom needed to be godly fathers, husbands, and leaders in their families, and we pray the same for the women leaders. “So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him.” 1 Timothy 3:2, 4.

6. We pray for the church of God.

• We pray to stop the enemy from creeping into our churches. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.
• We pray to put an end to all his activities in the churches. “…and upon this rock, I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18.
• We pray for waves of signs and wonders in our churches that will turn people’s hearts to God. “And through the hands of the apostles, many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women” Acts 5:12, 14. See also Luke 11:3, Isaiah 28:21-22.
• We pray for the growth of the churches. “Thanksgiving will proceed from them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled.” Jeremiah 30:19.

7. We pray for the peace of the nations because our God is the Governor among nations. “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May they prosper who love you. Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.” For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, “Peace be within you.” Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” Psalm 122:6-9.

And many more.

Remember, “…The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16.

Also, pray in the Spirit always because “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27.

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

‘Therefore, do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.'” Matthew 6:5-8.