Palm Sunday, April 5, 2020 / 7 to 8pm
We have felt it wise to cancel the “driving prayer” portion of our Palm Sunday event. This week Governor Kemp declared a statewide stay at home mandate. So instead of going out, we are asking folks to pray from wherever they are on Sunday from 7 to 8pm. Please feel free to use this guide to help focus and unite the prayers.
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in praying, even proclaiming God’s truth, His promises and His kingdom. Use this guide as a launch pad. Allow Him to draw your attention to what you are to pray about. Cry out for every wall to come down.
Pray for the government!
“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…” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT)
The Apostle Paul urges us to pray for all those in authority. This is an important moment to do just that. Instead of criticizing, complaining about, slandering and/or cursing Donald Trump and his administration, we are urged to pray, intercede and thank God for them! This word “urge” implies importance. It’s not just a good idea. It is absolutely vital that we obey it! So, perhaps the first place you need to start is to repent of any bad words or attitudes you may have had regarding President Trump. Now you can pray for him.
Pray for President Trump, VP Pence and their administration, including the coronavirus task force. Pray for our Georgia Governor (Brian Kemp), our Athens Mayor (Kelly Girtz) and the council members as they respond to the needs in our state and city. Pray for all those working to end the virus spread. Ask God to protect them and their families. Ask God to grant them wisdom from above to find new breakthroughs and answers for treatment, vaccines, economy and systems as we head forward. Pray that our leaders both local and national, would bend their knee to Jesus, crying out for His deliverance. Pray for the Police Chief Spruill and Sheriff Ira Edwards.
Pray for those affected by the coronavirus and its impact!
“The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up….” James 5:15 (NIV)
Many people are being impacted by the coronavirus. Business owners, employees, educators, and probably every person in our nation are touched by this virus and the work to stop it. Doctors, nurses and all health care people are overwhelmed. Hospitals don’t have enough beds, masks or respirators. This is a hard time! But the prayer of faith can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
Pray for those afflicted by the coronavirus, for those who are sick (especially those in the hospital), for those who are in quarantine, for those who are fearful and anxious, for those who are financially impacted, for those parents who are at home from work with their children, for the first responders, those who work in hospitals or senior centers. Whoever you know personally, please pray for them by name! Cry out for the God of mercy to move upon all of them with compassion and grace! “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NIV)
Pray for revival in Athens!
“LORD, I have heard of Your fame; I stand in awe of Your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known.” Habakkuk 3:2 (NIV)
One version says, “in our time of deep need, help us as did in years gone by” (NLT). So many prayers over so many years have been lifted up to God for revival in Athens. Many prophetic promises have been received about a coming move of God here. Could this be the moment for Him to move with power and change the spiritual climate over our city and nation forever?
Ask God to use the coronavirus as a catalyst for revival, awakening and transformation in Athens, across our nation and world! Thank the Lord for taking what the enemy means for evil and turning it into good. Pray for a new level of unity to emerge between neighbors, churches, and even within our local and national government. Pray for the pastors in Athens and church ministries in this new season – for wisdom, creativity, boldness and expansion into new territories. Ask God to do miracles as people help one another and work together to bring comfort and healing in our city and nation. Ask God to do awesomely as His people pray over these coming weeks (Psalm 65:5a NLT).
May the Lord richly bless you for investing this time in prayer! Thank you!!!
