Prayers From the Bible Part 2Sample

The prayer to end all prayers

We live in strange times. There are at least two key themes that mark global events right now. One is increasing division between people. Algorithms feed us different sets of information depending on our pre-existing beliefs, and we’re pushed further away from one another into social and political camps. The other theme is uncertainty. There are ‘wars and rumours of wars’ everywhere. Honestly, it’s anxiety-inducing.

These two themes work together to make this age particularly difficult for the church. When it comes time to pray for global events, the divided opinions in our congregations mean it’s hard to agree on how to pray. In some ways, it would be easier to avoid these topics altogether. At our church, however, we’ve decided together that it’s worth the risk. We know there are strongly opposing opinions on all the topical issues right now. Yet we also realise it’s our job as the church to cry out to God for peace and restoration.

The cornerstone of our prayer for these issues is this prayer we find at the very end of the Bible. It’s so simple, yet so utterly profound. And it works regardless of our political, social or theological leanings. It’s simply: ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’ When we pray these words, we’re releasing the solutions to Jesus. We’re also recognising that His intervention, His presence, is more powerful than our best ideas. It transcends our disagreements and puts Jesus back in the judgement seat where He belongs. So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the world and struggling to know what to pray, I invite you to try this. Bring the events that trouble you to mind, before God. And simply pray: ‘Come, Lord Jesus.’

Written by CHRIS GRESHAM-BRITT