Editor’s Introduction
Has this nation ever seen a season of more dangerous moral crisis? A time of greater need for the body of Christ to return to and focus on Jesus? Or to plead with God to right the course of a battle-weary ship of state?
The Stand went to Harvest Prayer Ministries (HPM) to glean wisdom and insights from Dave and Kim Butts, arguably among the nation’s leading contemporary prayer masters. After Dave’s years as a church pastor, the couple felt a clear calling in 1993 to establish Harvest Prayer Ministries (HPM) to encourage, equip, and train the church for more impactful prayer among individual members and as a body together.
How was the vision defined?
“The end goal of a praying church,” said Dave Butts, “is to see unity and revival in churches, spiritual awakening in our communities and nation, and the task of world evangelization accomplished.”
Click HERE to pull up the pdf version in the October 2022 issue of the print Stand and see the sidebar for a few items in HPM’s extensive library of practical, creative, and effective teaching/training resources to help every church begin the journey to becoming a house of prayer.
– Randall Murphree
Protection
THE PROMISE: “Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance” (Psalm 32:6-7).
THE NEED: Asking for the Lord’s protection keeps us from anxiety and worry because we know we can trust in His ability to do what is best for us.
THE PRAYER: Father, we ask for Your protection over our nation from anything or anyone that might bring harm. Please provide physical, mental, and spiritual safety as we trust in You to be our hiding place. Protect us from trouble and surround us with songs of deliverance!
Presence
THE PROMISE: “I will put my dwelling place among you, and I will not abhor you. I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people” (Leviticus 26:11-12).
THE NEED: Nothing is more important than the presence of the Lord Himself in the midst of any situation we may face as a nation. The presence of God changes lives and meets the deepest needs of our nation and its culture. Welcoming the presence of the Lord into every aspect of the life of our nation can open the door to a longing for His presence in all of society.
THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, that You dwell among us, and walk among us as our God! Keep us continually aware that we are Your people, created for Your glory! Make Your presence known in our nation, Lord!
Peace
THE PROMISE: “I will grant peace in the land, and you will lie down and not one will make you afraid. I will remove savage beasts from the land, and the sword will not pass through your country” (Leviticus 26:6).
THE NEED: In the midst of a badly divided nation, we desperately need God’s peace. Pray that God’s peace would touch the church in this nation so that we would lead the way to the Prince of Peace.
THE PRAYER: We long for Your peace to come to our nation, Lord! Keep us from being fearful and give us the peace and rest that only You can provide. May our nation be a reflection of Your peace.
Provision
THE PROMISE: “He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever. He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations” (Psalm 111:5-6).
THE NEED: We need to humbly come before the Lord and confess our need for His great provision to be poured out upon our nation. We need wisdom from above. We need the provision that meets health care needs in just ways. We need the provision of a robust economy that allows us to provide good jobs to those who are able to work. We especially need to be a nation that realizes that what we have comes from the Lord’s hand.
THE PRAYER: Thank You for being our provider, O Lord! You give us our work, shelter, food and all that we need for life. We ask that You would use Your people to meet the needs of those around us so that our nation reflects the love of Christ to all! May we help to make this nation a beacon of light and life in ways that show the world You alone are our provider!
Proficiency
THE PROMISE: “Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace” (Exodus 18:19-23).
THE NEED: Father, we need a nation that is proficient in all its ways because we follow Your ways. Show us how to reflect proficiency in every part of society, from government to business, from schools to health care. In every area, teach us the value of work and organization. Allow our justice system to reflect the culture of Your Kingdom and not the ungodly ways of man.
THE PRAYER: Lord God, help us to obey Your voice as You show us how to function well as a nation. Put trustworthy, godly people in places of authority and leadership so that our nation will reflect the love You have shown us. Guide us to be just, kind, and generous in all ways, and among all people. May the name of Jesus be elevated and revered as this nation puts its trust in You alone.
