Where do I start? Praying for our church, the borough and the nations.

Listen to this short podcast by Andrew Smith on this important topic.

Listen below or right click here to download.

Here are some pointers and verses to help us cry out to God for those in need in the Kings Church Family, in the Community of Kingston and internationally in Zimbabwe.

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness; and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6 v8

Seeking God’s heart of compassion is a good place to start. As we ask God for our hearts to be filled with His compassion the Holy Spirit will help us as we pray generally and then specifically for those in need.

Matthew 25 v34-40 ends with this answer from God, , ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’

I use these verses to remind me that all people are made in God’s image and as I pray for their needs to be met through me and through Kings Church, that I am serving God.

Next I pray about how I ACT for those in need. In Deuteronomy 15 v7-8, God reminds Israel to look after the poor and then in v11 he commands them, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’ This leads me to focus on letting go of what I possess willingly just like the disciples behaved in Acts 4 v32-33. Maybe at this time the way I ACT could be by giving of my finances. However, if I am on furlough or unemployed or retired then my act of helping the needy could be through my time and energy. Where does God want me to be involved?

Then as I pray about GIVE, I remember that God is my Provider. He even encourages me to give through this verse, "give and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Luke 6 v38. Praise God for his generosity. Lord show me how you want me to be generous.

Other verses to look at are Matthew 14 v17-21 & 19 v26; Ephesians 3 v20-21.

Finally, Paul encourages us in Ephesians 6 v17-18 to pray in the spirit and to persevere. Our praying for those in need will be for the long haul so encourage one another.