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Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Intercession for Our Towns and Cities, focuses on prayer for larger communities.
Show Notes: Praying Like Jesus: Intercession for Our Towns and Cities
“If you gotta start somewhere, why not here? If you gotta start sometime, why not now?” These words from Toby Mac’s song, “City On Our Knees,” often move me to tears just with these words. I’ve often prayed the words: God, start here. God, start now. And when we consider the towns and cities, we either live in or near, it’s a great place to focus our prayers.
Cities or towns can be small, like my nearest town’s population of 3000 or the largest city in Alabama, Huntsville, with approximately 222,000 citizens. Regardless of size, we talk to God about our towns and cities like we did our small communities in some ways. We pray for our schools, churches, civic organizations, businesses, and families. We then add in:
- Government
- Transportation networks
- Housing
- Utilities
- Emergency services
- Sanitation
- Entertainment
- Retail businesses
We could take one of these a week to lift to God during our prayer time. Let’s look at emergency services, for example. We can pray for our fire and rescue teams, police personnel, ambulance services, and hospitals. Emergency services need to be fully staffed, with working equipment, and be well-connected within the town or city to the people. When it comes to large cities, we never run out of requests to share with our heavenly Father.
In the book of Daniel, the king has had a dream and he wanted someone to not only interpret it but also tell him what it was. The wise men of the city cried that it couldn’t be done. But Daniel prayed to God, along with others, and that night, God revealed it to him: “Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.” Daniel 2: 20-22 NKJV
Daniel realizes that he doesn’t have to figure it all out himself. God has promised to be with him and reveal deep and secret things that he needs to know. God will do the same for us. As we develop a relationship with Him and speak with Him often, He will show us specific ways to pray for our city. And it will be different for each individual. He might lay on one person’s heart to pray for growth in the city. Another might intercede often for the fire departments, while another could pray for homeless shelters and food kitchens. If you ask, believing, God will bring the needs to your attention.
One specific prayer that’s been on my heart for cities and towns around me is whenever I see an empty building or one that’s went of business. I pray for God to bring new businesses into our area that are necessary and helpful to its citizens and not harmful or derogatory. I love the feeling of dancing with God that I get when He points out areas for me to pray in agreement with Him. Often, I’ll mention it to others and we’ll pray together, believing God will move.
God is no respecter of persons. You have the same ability to pray as I do. God is always listening for us to intercede on behalf of others. Listen to how Daniel prays in Daniel 9:18-19 in the New Living Translation: “O my God, lean down and listen to me. Open your eyes and see our despair. See how your city—the city that bears your name—lies in ruins. We make this plea, not because we deserve help, but because of your mercy. O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for your people and your city bear your name.”
What a beautiful cry for help from Daniel’s heart for his city.
Let’s pray: Father God, we lift up our towns and cities to You. You see the good: people serving, loving, and encouraging others. You see the sin and the bad too. Crime and businesses that degrade and enslave people. We cry out for our cities and towns. Please forgive, heal, rebuild, and populate the areas that need it most. Let your love shine through Your people every day. We love You and believe You’ll move. If You have to start somewhere, we say here. If You have to start sometime, we say now. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.
God has a heart for our towns and cities and we need to follow His lead.
Today’s featured author is Michelle S. Lowe, author of THE AUTUMN KEEPSAKE, an inspirational Christian novella. Surviving an unimaginable childhood tragedy, and more recently, a broken engagement, Tessa
Stanley’s dog has been her four-legged therapy. Meeting Nicholas Beck one fall morning will connect Tessa with her past, and the reason behind her beloved dog’s special name.
Search for Michelle S. Lowe on Amazon or at Anaiah Press.
Next week, we’ll focus on intercession for our state. Until then, stay determined to dance…
Links:
My debut novel, Jessie’s Hope
Remember: Intercession for Our Towns and Cities
Video of the week:
I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.
