Overtaking Cities: Keys to Pray for Our City!
“And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace.”Jeremiah 29:7
The Bible gives us examples of powerful women of prayer, such as Anna, the prophetess, who never left the Temple and devoted herself to fasting and prayer day and night (Luke 2:36-38). Another remarkable woman is Queen Esther. When her people faced a grave threat, she called for a three-day fast before approaching the king to intercede on their behalf (Esther 4:15).
Even to this day, untoward incidents in our cities can be averted if the people of God stand in the gap and pray.
Recently violence broke out in a particular state in my nation. People from that region were sharing how helpless, anxious, unheard and stressed out they felt.
It made me reflect on how amid all the chaos around us, we have a God who has promised to give us a peace that surpasses every understanding.
The question is, how do we pray for our cities and nations of the world effectively that stops the enemy in its tracks? In this post, I want to share with you some keys from the Bible that we can use to pray efficiently.
1/ It is God’s will that we pray for our cities
God demonstrated His deep concern for a city that lacked understanding, as expressed in Jonah 4:11, “Should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” This passage showcases God’s compassion and affection for humanity, which ultimately led Him to offer His only Son.
2/ Pray without ceasing
Prayer should never be our last resort. The word of God says, “O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls; they will pray day and night, continually. Take no rest, all you who pray to the Lord.” (Isaiah 62:6)
As I heard Prophet Shyju Mathew once share, certain things are allowed inside a city because no watchmen are found on the walls to block it and take it down.
3/ Pray from a position of faith
We should approach prayer with unwavering faith from a place of victory and not helplessness.
Recently my spiritual father, Pastor Derrick D’Souza, shared from the life of Caleb. He said the reason why Caleb and Joshua in the Bible came with a different report when they went to spy the land of Canaan was because their spirits were developed.
We must nurture our spirits through the Word of God and by being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
4/ Praise as a weapon
Praise is a powerful weapon in our hands. When we lift our voices in worship and adoration, we declare the goodness and power of God over our cities.
5/ Binding and loosing
Jesus said in Matthew 18:18, “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Through prayer, we have the authority to bind the works of darkness and loose the purposes and plans of God in our cities.
6/ Fast for breakthrough
Fasting is a game-changer. I remember, once, a major event took place in my state and violence was expected to break out, putting many lives in danger.
That time the Lord instructed me to fast for seven days and pray for my city. As I obeyed the Lord, the peace of God came over the city, and the enemy’s tactics were foiled. That’s the power of fasting and praying.
7/ Build Altars
Recently, my spiritual father shared that if you care for a city, then you must build an altar. By making an offering, we give the Lord something to work with. When we raise an altar unto the Lord, it becomes a gateway to Heaven. The altars that we build today can speak for generations.
As daughters of the Most High God, when we to intercede and pray for our city , we shall see ruined cities repaired, nations restored and healed. Amen!
XOXO
Nadia Feroz
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