Prayer for Suffering Souls

QUESTION: Prayer for Suffering Souls - A Prayer for Hope

ANSWER: Prayer for Suffering Souls -- Insights from God’s Word Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 3:12–14

Prayer for Suffering Souls - Strength of Purpose or Retreat?
Prayer: Lord, this morning in the midst of an overwhelming sense of the true magnitude of the battle ahead, I bow my head, bend my knee, and seek Your Face. Amazingly, I am not frightened by this battle, rather, I am beginning to see its end time purpose. There is great joy in my heart today as I know that with my eyes focused on Your Face, I can make sense out of what looks on the surface to be confusion, ridicule, despair, and hopelessness.

As I pray for wisdom and the Holy Spirit’s power, I feel my resolve to fight against the blinding grow. As I pray asking the Holy Spirit specifically for His vision, I am beginning to understand how deadly Satan’s counterfeits can be. As I pray I somehow know that we must defeat these attacks against the Body of Christ by firing off missiles of truth. As I pray I also feel the need to ask You, Lord, for more warriors to walk alongside. I ask You to set free the chosen ones who are being held back for just such a time as this.

Somehow, my King, my spirit recognizes a hunger I have never felt before. I know I don’t fully understand this hunger right now, but in Your timing I am confident it will be filled to the brim, enabling me to walk taller and stronger. I honestly don’t know why I am surprised at the sense I have of Your Presence this morning, but the reflection of Your work being accomplished on the earth somehow makes me stronger, and gives me the courage I need to move forward in Your Holy Spirit power.

O how I yearn for the day when I will have no more questions. I know is possible to have an assurance of faith far stronger than what I presently have -- and this alone gives me courage to keep on, keeping on. I am sustained this morning by Your clarity of vision helping me to see how far I have come and cautioning me not to retreat. The path ahead is full of opportunities for service and for victories -- I only need to look where You have planted Your truths and bask in the reflected power and joy to be found there.

My prayer today is for strength of purpose for those in the Body of Christ who are about to retreat. I am reminded that many are called but few are chosen -- and it makes my heart pound knowing that those who are called are now beginning to mobilize together. What a powerful army that surrounds me. My warrior prayer heart screams out for my brothers and sisters to listen and obey the call You have on their lives, and to lay aside their fears and anxieties and pick up the sword they are given to fight this fight.

I pray for Your chosen ones to recognize that even though they often feel lonely and vulnerable, and even though they suffer much for the cause of Christ, their devotion and passion will see them through. They will grow stronger as they forge ahead -- through the pain and sorrow, knowing that Your grace will be sufficient for their every need.

I also pray, Jesus, that You would begin lighting the candles of Your faithful ones everywhere on the earth so we can easily recognize one another. Ignite the Holy Spirit’s passion in all of us and take captive our minds and our hearts. May all who respond to Your call be given wisdom, clarity of vision and Holy Spirit fire to sustain them. Help us find the solutions to the things that appear to be unsolvable. Create in all who are called to fight, a holy desperation and resolve that focuses their hearts, minds and spirits on Your calling.

Grant Your chosen ones eyes to see with the flint of an eagle's eye, and give them that same calm in the midst of a storm. Help them to soar above the turmoil in their lives. When Your timing is right, help them to focus all their strength on whatever challenges are in their path by adjusting their flight to overcome. Help them to recognize the opportunities they are given in the face of attacks. Help them to overcome and overpower the enemy and send him fleeing. Open the gates for Satan’s retreat, and slam them shut so he can never attack again. May all we do bring you the honor and glory!

Prayer for Suffering Souls -- Making it Personal
Reflect: There are many situations in your life that appear to the naked eye to be out of your control. As Christians we are given many tools to overcome. If you feel your life is drifting with no specific goal or purpose, ask the Holy Spirit to ignite a flame of passion and devotion in your heart. Ask Him to give you His strength and power if you are under attack, and pray for perseverance to fight against your own weaknesses. Ask the Holy Spirit to turn those weaknesses into strengths. Remember, most people who achieve great things are able to overcome and work through the adversity in their lives -- thereby reaching their true potential.