Prayer Guide

September 3, 2023

In early August of this year, wildfires broke out on the island of Maui, Hawaii. One deadly fire in the city of Lahaina was potentially started by downed powerlines. It scorched about 3.4 square miles, destroying more than 2,700 structures in the historic town. As of late August, at least 115 people lost their lives in the Maui fires, and 388 people are still missing.

The fires struck without warning for most of Maui’s residents. There was great confusion, and a myriad of voices gave conflicting directions. Many people followed the masses to their tragic deaths.

Fire.

It is uncontrollable.

It is destructive beyond comparison.

It is threatening and fearsome.

Let me briefly share three types of judgment fire mentioned in God’s Word and the indescribable need to pray for deliverance from them.

The Judgment Fire of God’s Justice

“From the Lord of hosts you will be punished with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with whirlwind and tempest and the flame of a consuming fire” (Isaiah 29:6). God speaks this word of judgment about Jerusalem. If He judges His chosen city for their rebellion, is any person, church, or country immune from His judgment fire?

The Judgment Fire of Hell

“Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:14–15). Good people don’t go to heaven. Saved people go to heaven.

The Judgment Fire for Believers’ Works

“Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss” (1 Corinthians 3:13–15). Every moment, every motive, every word, every action of our lives will go through the test of God’s fire to determine what is worthwhile.

Deliverance from God’s judgment (for ourselves, for our country, from hell, or from seeing our lives’ work burned up at the judgment seat) does not come from our ability. God tells us through Zechariah, “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

You’ve heard me say it many times, but I want to say it again: “Prayer is the difference between the best you can do and the best God can do” (Mark Batterson).  

Deliverance from fire comes through prayer alone!

Bill Steet
Minister, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Prayer

Pray for a Mighty Movement of the Spirit of God in Memphis as Individual Christians are Revived

Evangelist Gypsy Smith was asked what the secret of revival is. He said, “Go home. Take a piece of chalk. Draw a circle around yourself. Then pray, ‘O Lord, revive everything inside this circle.’”

Use the following verses to take spiritual inventory of your life. For every deficiency that God reveals to you, seek to grow through repentance, faith, and obedience.

• “For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth” (John 17:19). Are you walking closer to the Lord than you ever have before? If not, you need to be revived.

• “Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:20–22). Usefulness in God’s kingdom does not rest talent but on being clean before the Lord. Are there areas of your life in which you need to experience cleansing?

• “But My righteous one shall live by faith; And if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:38–39). Are there areas of life in which God is calling you to walk in faith and courage but you are shrinking back? If you want to walk on water (Matthew 14:29), you have to get out of the boat!

• “O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out day and night before you. Let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry” (Psalm 88:1–2 ESV). Are you passionate and consistent in your prayer life?

• “And He said to them, ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men’” (Matthew 4:19). When is the last time you shared Jesus with someone; when is the last time you tried?

Pray for a Mighty Movement of the Spirit of God in Memphis as Churches are Revived

Jesus clarified the necessity of the movement of the Holy Spirit, stating, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 6:63). A verse from an old hymn puts that truth in slightly different words, but it conveys the same message: “All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down” (George Atkins, “Brethren, We Have Met Together”).

The following verses speak to or about churches. While you, as an individual, are not wholly responsible for altering any shortcomings your church has, you have a part to play through personal obedience and interceding for your church in prayer.

• “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied” (Acts 9:31 ESV). Is your church experiencing peace? Is it maturing? Do people make decisions from both a fear of God and the leading of the Holy Spirit? Is your church seeing growth?

• “I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God” (Philippians 1:9-11 NLT). Is your church characterized by overflowing love? Is the fruit of the Spirit emphasized in your church? Is the glory of God and praise of Him a matter of supreme importance in your church?

• “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:8–10). Is the Word of the Lord ringing forth from your church? Are people talking about what God is doing in your church?

Pray for Memphis

Rather than simply reading the words of Bro. Steve’s “Prayer for Memphis,” please take time to verbally pray for our city, using this prayer as a guide.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Memphis. Thank You for strategically locating our city in the middle of thisnation, so we can be a catalyst for revival and spiritual awakening. Please pour out Your Spirit on Memphis,Shelby County, the Mid-South, and beyond. Help every Christian and every Bible-believing, Jesus-loving,Gospel-preaching church to Love God, Love People, Share Jesus, and Make Disciples. Demolish everydemonic stronghold of pride, violence, racism, poverty, crime, sexual immorality, drug abuse, sickness,religious formalism, fanaticism, legalism, liberalism, and traditionalism. Replace them with love, joy, peace,patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control, blessing, mercy, grace, hope, healing,liberty, and freedom. Destroy the stronghold of religion in Memphis that has a form of godliness but denies thepower thereof. Give us churches that believe in the Bible and preach salvation only in Jesus Christ. Let YourKingdom come and Your will be done in Memphis on Earth as it is in Heaven. Bring pastors, lay leaders, andcongregations together as we pray for this city. Bless our governmental leaders, schools, and economy. Pleasesend good jobs to Memphis. Keep casinos, strip clubs, and occultic activity out of Memphis. Do a work ofrevival in Memphis that can only be explained by Your presence and power and do it all for Your glory. Call Yourpeople to fervent, united, visible, extraordinary prayer. May the latter glory of Your Kingdom in Memphis begreater than the former, and please grant Memphis Your peace. Do exceeding and abundantly beyond all thatwe can ask or think. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Pray for all elected officials.