5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.” Acts 12:5
So much of Acts describes the early church a praying corporately. They fast, pray, worship, and are led by the Holy Spirit. They are intentional and specific with their prayers. When Peter was in prison, they prayed for Peter to be out of prison. An angel delivered him. Specific prayer by the body of Christ, amazing answer.
Father, You are a loving God and want good things for Your children. Lord, we pray for a Memphis that is redeemed, where violence is replaced by love, where seeking numbness from this world is replaced by being present in it, where hopelessness gives way to the light of Christ.
Equip Your people. Use the increased law enforcement to stop evil and deliver justice. Do so in a way that rights are respected and those caught in the wrong may have a chance to repent and do right. Lord, we pray for humility of the officers but also righteousness. May they be the best of us.
Lord, we want a healed community where such ideas of increased law enforcement are not needed. We want our men and women to seek You, removing the sin in their own lives. Lord, we confess we have contributed to the glorification of this fallen world and we repent of it. Movies and music are made glorifying the inverse of Your creation. Lord, may that stop. May our heart song be for Your glory.
We ask for the speeders and recklessness to stop on 240, 40, 55, and 385. We ask that you protect the troopers pulling people over. We pray for illegal guns and drugs to be collected. We pray for murderers and rapists to be arrested wherever they are hiding. We pray for the US Marshals, DEA, ATF, MPD, and Shelby County Sheriffs that You cover them with Jesus’ blood for protection as they face evil. Guard their hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Lord, rather than having to search out those hiding from the law, convict those perpetrators in their hearts that they may turn themselves in without incident. Protect those living in fear of the criminals, perhaps living under the same roof. Remove them from the trauma-inducing chaos of hurt people.
Lord, make Memphis a New Jerusalem. In Your name, amen.