June 3-5, 2020 / 6am to 9pm daily
The Arch – corner of Broad Street and College Avenue
Thank you for praying for the peace of our city (nation)! This is an important time for us as a Church to stand up, speak up and pray up! Remember, what the enemy means for evil, God can use for good. What makes the difference is how His people respond in the moment. Remember you have authority in Jesus name to proclaim, to decree, to intercede, to bind, etc.… This prayer guide is simply a launch pad. Please invite the Holy Spirit to lead your praying at The Arch. Be aware to observe social distancing guidelines. Be an ambassador for Christ with whoever you make contact with. There may be active protests going on in the same space at the same time. Feel free to talk with protestors, and even offer to pray for them. This guide will be adjusted as the vigil continues as the Lord stirs specific things we need to pray for.
To sign up for a ONE HOUR slot at The Arch, please go to https://www.slottr.com/sheets/18252004
Blessing
“For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
Remember that people are not our enemy. We have a foe who desires to kill, steal and destroy our city. Pray that the spirit behind the rioting (i.e. Lawlessness, Anti-Christ, Fear, Rebellion, etc.) would be bound, hindered, sent away, rendered powerless, in our city. Pray a blessing on everyone who gathers to protest, and that God would expose and forbid those who come to incite riots. Matthew 18:18-20 says we can bind up or forbid evil in Jesus Name. So forbid violence, arson, graffiti and any destruction in our city. Ask Him to expose every scheme of the enemy to bring harm, and that all who plan to do harm would be exposed and constrained.
Peace
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 33:7 (NIV)
Pray for the peace of our city. Ask God to increase His tangible presence right now. Ask Him to activate angels to minster and fight on behalf of our city. Ask Him to release the fear of God throughout the city. Ask Him to fill you with peace so you can carry it wherever you go.
Justice
“This is what the LORD says, ‘Be just and fair. Do what is right and good…’” Isaiah 56:1 (NLT)
God loves justice. Ask Him to release justice in every arena in our city. Ask Him to expose injustice in our city, and to raise up voices of truth and justice across our land. Pray that people would no longer be judged by their outward appearance, but by their character and integrity.
Government & leaders
“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. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT)
Ask God to give our president (Donald Trump), his administration, our governor (Brian Kemp), our mayor (Kelly Girtz), the Athens commissioners, the Police Chief (Cleveland Spruill, the Sheriff (Ira Edwards) wisdom, courage, faith and godly counsel that is 10 times better than anything in the world (Daniel 1:20). Pray for the police department and national guard to be protected and wise in their actions.
Racial healing
“For Christ Himself brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us… Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.” Ephesians 2:14&16 (NLT)
Christ paid for peace and unity between races through His body on the cross. As you pray, proclaim the victory that Jesus won, through the cross for reconciliation. Jesus is the only answer to our sin problems (i.e. racism and hate) that plague our world today. Through Him the hostility can be broken. Pray for healing in our city and nation. Ask God to expose prejudice at every level in every person.
Love, understanding and compassion
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind… Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37&39 (NIV)
Love requires us to pray for our enemies, and bless those who curse or disagree with us (Matthew 5:44). The Apostle Peter told us that “above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8 NIV). Ask God to release a grace for love, understanding and compassion for others who may not like us, nor are like us. Pray that supernatural, heaven sent love would break forth over the protesters and even those who may come to incite riots. Ask for understanding where communication is broken down and for compassion where opinions differ.
Courage for the Church to stand up, speak up and bind up
“After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” Acts 4:31 (NIV)
Ask God to release a new boldness in His Church. For His to people to pray and to be filled with the Holy Spirit to proclaim the word of God clearly and boldly. Pray that followers of Christ across our city would not be silent, but would bring Jesus into racially tense conversations. Also, ask God for the Church to rise up and stand in authority to decree and bind up the evil forces at work behind the scenes.
Unity
“Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” Ephesians 4:3 (NLT)
This very verse is inscribed on the base of the Spirit of Athens statue at City Hall. Pray for God to release His blessing that comes from unity over our city (Psalm 133). Ask Him to protect and strengthen the unity in our city, from the Church community through the government, and public servants. Pray that pastors and churches would stand together, honor one another out of love and respect, and walk out this crisis with great humility.
Salvation
“This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NLT)
God desires all people in Athens to be saved! Ask God to open people’s eyes and draw them to Him. Cry out for God to use this moment to bring revival, awakening and transformation in Athens, and across our nation.
Prayer of repentance
Father in Heaven, we are deeply sorry for ignoring the racism and classism that we have tolerated across the centuries up until this present time. We ask You and our community to grant us an opportunity to repent and live differently than we have. We are determined to befriend and love one another across racial lines with respect for the dignity of our common humanity. We plead in Jesus name, Amen!
Thank the Lord
As you wrap your prayer at The Arch, please thank the Lord for hearing your voice in prayer and for faithfully answering it with awesome deeds (Psalm 65:5 NLT).
There is a Prayer Walk on Saturday, June 6, from 10am to noon. We’ll meet at The Arch and prayer walk around the downtown where protestors have walked. Please join us if you’re able!
Feel free to check out this prayer guide from Church Prayer Leaders Network… https://www.prayerleader.com/7-prayer-points-to-pray-for-your-city/
