Epaphras Prays Podcast

Our government and leaders are in the hands of Almighty God.

Arthur W. Pink writes, “Like all other kings, Pharaoh’s heart was in the hand of the Lord; and God had both the right and the power to turn it whithersoever He pleased. And it pleased Him to turn it against all good.”

We pray for our nations government regardless of party from Proverbs 21:1 - may He turn hearts wherever He wills.

Prayer Insights - from C.H. Spurgeon

Keep the Fire Burning

The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out. — Leviticus 6:13

Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and barometer, of vital and [experiential] religion.

Burn here the fat of your sacrifices. Let your closet seasons be, if possible, regular, frequent, and undisturbed. Effectual prayer avails much. Have you nothing to pray for? Let us suggest the Church, the ministry, your own soul, your children, your relations, your neighbors, your country, and the cause of God and truth throughout the world. Let us examine ourselves on this important matter. Do we engage with lukewarmness in private devotion? Is the fire of devotion burning dimly in our hearts? Do the chariot wheels drag heavily? If so, let us be alarmed at this sign of decay. Let us go with weeping, and ask for the Spirit of grace and of supplications. Let us set apart special seasons for extraordinary prayer.

For if this fire should be smothered beneath the ashes of a worldly conformity, it will dim the fire on the family altar, and lessen our influence both in the Church and in the world.

The text will also apply to the altar of the heart. This is a golden altar indeed. God loves to see the hearts of His people glowing towards Himself. Let us give to God our hearts, all blazing with love, and seek His grace, that the fire may never be quenched; for it will not burn if the Lord does not keep it burning. Many foes will attempt to extinguish it; but if the unseen hand behind the wall pour thereon the sacred oil, it will blaze higher and higher. Let us use texts of Scripture as fuel for our heart's fire, they are live coals; let us attend sermons, but above all, let us be much alone with Jesus.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from (one passage per day):

* Thursday - Exodus 33:13 - show us your ways

* Friday - Isaiah 2:3 - teach us your ways

* Saturday - John 14:26 - teach us all things

* Sunday - John 16:13 - guide us into all truth

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo by Timon Wanner on Unsplash

Most of us cannot throw a 90+ mph fastball, or hit a 300 yard drive, or perform open-heart surgery. We recognize our inability to do these things, or even to get someone else’s dog to obey us!

Nor can we always know they way of things; they are hidden from us and the wise seek it out, but we cannot know the end from the beginning. We are able to see around the bend in the road.

Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us to not lean on our own understanding, and to not be wise in our own eyes. We need to acknowledge the Lord and Ask.

In our PrayerPodcast, let’s pray for all our government officials that they learn to lean on Him, look to Him and ask for wisdom and guidance for their governance.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from (one passage per day):

* Romans 14:19

* Romans 15:5 & 6

* Romans 15:7

* Romans 15:13

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo by Nick Bolton on Unsplash

There is no authority but from God, and those in government are God’s servant for our good. The job of government: to punish and deter evildoers.

Our PrayerPodcast for government comes from Romans 13:1-7 as we ask, and keep on asking for Godly government and leaders in our land - that is they make right and just laws and enforce them.

Praying the Word of God on behalf of the People of God

* Thu - Ephesians 1:17 - wisdom and of revelation, that hearts may be enlightened

* Fri - Ephesians 1:18 - know what is the hope of His calling

* Sat - Ephesians 1:18 - the riches of the glory of His inheritance

* Sun - Ephesians 1:19 - the greatness of His power toward us who believe

Will you join us in praying these verses for the Church, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo Credit - Photo by Jay Mantri on Unsplash

Throughout Scripture we see examples of integrity, from Abraham and Moses, to Joseph and Samuel. Sincerity, uprightness, truthfulness and a pure heart are certainly Godly traits we all desire in ourselves, and we should expect them in those who lead.

In Proverbs we read The integrity of the upright will guide them, and we go to the Lord in prayer on behalf of our government, asking for this integrity in today’s Prayercast.

Praying the Word of God on behalf of the People of God

* Thu - Romans 10: 1

* Fri - Romans 12: 2

* Sat - Romans 15: 5-7

* Sun - Romans 15: 13

Will you join us in praying these verses for the Church, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Jesus taught his disciples when you pray to ask the Father for His Kingdom and His will. We can pray this for ourselves, certainly, and in our congregations.

In this Prayercast, we pray from Matthew 6:10 as intercessors for our nation and government.

Praying the Word of God on behalf of the People of God

* Thu - 1 Peter 4: 7-9

* Fri - 1 Peter 5: 10, 11

* Sat - 2 Peter 1: 2, 3

* Sun - 2 Peter 3: 18

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

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Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo by Jack Sharp on Unsplash

As we spend a few moments in today’s PrayerPodcast praying for our nations government leaders, we are praying from James 4:8:

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse [your] hands, [you] sinners; and purify [your] hearts, [you] double-minded. [Jas 4:8 NKJV]

This would apply to others as well, but let’s focus now on officials in authority as we pray for good government across our land.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):

* Thursday - John 13:14, 15

* Friday - John 13:34

* Saturday - Romans 12:10

* Sunday - Romans 12:16

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

We are to pray for our government and make supplications, that is requests to the Lord. Our requests are for those in authority, and for the averting of evil in our land, and by our government.

In today’s PrayerPodcast, 1 Timothy 2:1 guides us as we pray for good.

Do You Have A Prayer Request?

Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. I want you know we pray specifically for you by name, and if you have a need or a request we can pray, please let us know.

Just email a short sentence or two to [email protected]

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):

* Thursday - Phil 1:9-11

* Friday - Col 1:9-12

* Saturday - Col 4:3, 4

* Sunday - Col 4:12

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Photo by Emily Lewandowski on Unsplash

We know prayer ought to be a priority, but what prayers might be a priority?

There are many prayers, petitions, requests, and supplications needed. Here are three we believe are among the most important right now:

* The salvation of unbelievers – pray for those who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ, that they might repent and believe the gospel; they would hear the good news, become aware they are sinners in need of the Savior, and seek the Lord for His mercy and grace to the forgiveness of sins.

* The Church – intercede for the household of faith, those who do believe - the pillar and buttress of truth. Pray that we be mature in the faith and stand firm in all the will of God.

* The Government – ask on behalf of those in positions of authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Tim 2:1-4

As we look around, we see our nation is not tranquil! As Believers we ought to pray continually for the government, not just around elections.

For any leader – elected, appointed or hired, there are decisions and dangers. We are asking for wise leaders who will seek guidance, and we are asking for their protection.

In today’s PrayerPodcast let’s lift up those in authority from James 1:5, Proverbs 3:21, 1 Corinthians 16:13.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):

* Thursday - 1 Cor 1:4-8

* Friday - 1 Cor 16:13

* Saturday - 2 Cor 2:12

* Sunday - Rom 15:5-7, 13

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Today May 6th 2021 is the National Day Of Prayer

This day, set aside by law in 1952, is to be dedicated to prayer on behalf of our nation. Its’ history actually dates back to President John Adams in 1798 whose proclamation was for a National Day of Humiliation, Fasting and Prayer. You can read it here. President Abraham Lincoln also called for a day of Prayer and Fasting in 1863.

They designated a whole day to pray and fast! How about setting a time of prayer today on your lunch hour and pray for our nation. Perhaps use the prayer podcast in this newsletter, it was recorded last October as a prayer for our nation’s government:

What happens when it goes well with the righteous? Proverbs 11 tells us the city rejoices! A city is exalted by the blessing of the upright (v. 11).

Let us approach the Lord in Heaven and ask for elected and appointed men and women in government authority to be those who are upright, who desire and pursue integrity, honesty and loyalty in all they do.

I’d also suggest as we pray today, that we emphasize the repentance part. Our nation has by-and-large turned it’s back on God and we are in need to repent for all the detestable things done in the land (more on this in a future newsletter).

Pray from Mark 1:15 that we repent and believe the gospel.

Praying the Word of God on behalf of the People of God

* Thu - Luke 11:9-13

* Fri -John 17:11, 15

* Sat - John 17:17

* Sun - John 17:21-26

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Until Monday, grace and peace

Today we cry to God in prayer, as those in earnest, because of all the abominations that are committed in [the land], for Jesus “began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

How have we grieved our Lord? The transgressions committed against His Holy Word are many, we pray today for His mercy from Matthew 4:17 in what is Episode 29 of those 30 daily prayers.

Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God

Here are four passages we are praying from (one passage per day):

* 1 Peter 5:10, 11

* 2 Peter 1:2, 3

* Matt 6:9-13

* Matt 9:37, 38; Luke 10:2b

Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?

Monday we’ll feature 5 ways to focus your prayers for 5 minutes

Grace and peace to you