There are many prayers in the Bible, designated for different situations for individuals. However, I have identified five prayers that represent God's will as we intercede from a position as spiritual priests on behalf of the world around us.
These prayers reflect long-term goals; we should pray them with authority as ones who are intermediaries between God and mankind on behalf of King Yeshua. They should be prayed with a clear mind for the purposes of God, and with consistent perseverance until we see real changes in the world around us.
I. Toward Heaven
"Your Kingdom Come" - Matthew 6:10
This prayer is the master covering for the other prayers. We are spurring God's angels to work in this world. We are asking for God's authority to take over the kingdoms of this world. We are inviting a heavenly invasion into our planet. It is empowering a present day increase in Yeshua's kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-8)
This prayer starts with each person individually in his own Gethsemane cry of "Not my will, but Yours." It concludes with the final goal for all the kingdoms of this world to become the kingdom of the Messiah (Daniel 2:44, Revelation 11:15, Psalm 2).
II. Toward the Church (the international community of faith)
"That they may be one" - John 17:21
This prayer is not for a unification of Christian organizations. It is for the maturity and wholeness of the spiritual body of true believers around the world. The biblical concept of unity is the group result of people loving one another. Unity means a unity with God, coming into the fullness of His glory. We pray for every local congregation, every evangelistic ministry, and each "stream" within the greater body.
It is a prayer for total restoration of all the aspects of the kingdom of God within the community of faith. That will lead the way to the second coming of the Yeshua where the restored kingdom within the Church will then flood over, transforming and resurrecting the rest of the world.
III. Toward Unbelievers (and toward the nation of Israel)
"That they might be saved" - Romans 10:1
We need to intercede for the lost. Many people are so wrapped up in their own ministries and personal needs, that they forget this basic mandate. We pray for specific people we have shared the gospel with and for different people groups. They all need to be saved. We know that is God's will (II Peter 3:9, I Timothy 2:4).
As we pray here in Israel for our unsaved loved ones, the two prayers (Israel and the unsaved) overlap. For those who live outside of Israel, it would be good to include a special section of prayer for Israel's salvation, as you pray for others, since Israel is so often specifically mentioned in Scripture. In either direction, inside Israel or out, we pray for everyone to receive eternal life.
IV. Toward Governments
"For all who are in authority" - I Timothy 2:2
The spiritual position of true believers is above the rulers of governments (see Ephesians 1:3, 1:20-23, 2:6, Jeremiah 1:10). In this society, we submit to those in authority in daily life, but in prayer we have a certain authority over them as spiritual priests. We are to be a prophetic community, influencing for good the government and society in which we live.
The key to this prayer is for justice and righteousness to prevail. We pray for God to direct government leaders, whether they believe in Him or not (Proverbs 21:1). We pray for social conditions to be improved, for peace, for law and order, and for a society of religious freedom where the gospel can be shared.
V. Toward the Devil
"If Satan is divided, how will his kingdom stand?" - Luke 11:18
I noticed two simple facts: in Luke 10:19, Yeshua gave us authority over all the power of the enemy; in Luke 11:22, Yeshua told us that if Satan's kingdom is divided, it will fall. So let's put those two principles together and use the authority in Yeshua's name to pray and prophesy that Satan's kingdom would be divided and fall.
We do have a spiritual enemy. It is a group of evil angels who are in rebellion against God. We can cast them out of an individual, if the person repents. How much better if we can cause a spiritual "civil war" between whole groups of demonic legions! We declare it this way: "In the name of Yeshua, the kingdom of Satan is divided and fallen."
Think how powerful it would be if you and your covenant partners stood once a day for the next five years and declared these five priestly prayers in each of these five spiritual directions - declaring them in faith, agreement and authority. Let's aim to be effective!
