Day 12: Contending for the Orphans, windows, the poor/ voiceless and the older adults

“6 Here is the way I want you to fast. Set free those who are held by chains without any reason. Untie the ropes that hold people as slaves. Set free those who are crushed. Break every evil chain. 7  Share your food with hungry people. Provide homeless people with a place to stay. Give naked people clothes to wear. Provide for the needs of your own family. 8  Then the light of my blessing will shine on you like the rising sun. I will heal you quickly. I will march out ahead of you. And my glory will follow behind you and guard you. That’s because I always do what is right. 9 You will call out to me for help. And I will answer you. You will cry out. And I will say, ‘Here I am. Get rid of the chains you use to hold others down. Stop pointing your finger at others as if they had done something wrong. Stop saying harmful things about them. 10  Work hard to feed hungry people. Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed. Then my blessing will light up your darkness. And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun. 11  I will always guide you. I will satisfy your needs in a land baked by the sun. I will make you stronger. You will be like a garden that has plenty of water. You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry.”
— Isaiah 58:6-11

God requires that when we fast, our faith will be tested as we must put it into action. We have been praying that captives will be set free ( vs 6). We are also required to provide shelter to the homeless, feed the poor/ hungry, clothe the naked, and provide for our families ( vs 7). The rest of verses 8-11 are full of blessings when verses 6 and 7 are obeyed.

Let us pray for mercy because we have not really practice what the word of God is saying.

Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

This is the Bible principle of receiving a blessing from the Lord. God gave his son. When his son was on earth he gave all the time, even in impossible circumstances, he challenged his father to provide for the needy. Ask God for the grace to be a giver.

James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

Ask God for the grace to put this verse into action. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to this group of God’s people.

Exodus 22:22-24 “22 You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, 24 and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless.”

The church cannot say 100% they have been really fair in the way widows, orphans, older adults and even the less privileged in society have been helped. The wrath of God awaits any of such mistreatment. Pray and ask God for mercy in any way the church have gotten it wrong.

Isaiah 1:17 “Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause.”

Pray for the grace upon the church to reevaluate polices to ensure that these voiceless group are treated with kindness and that justice is served as deserved.

Psalm 68:4-5 “4 Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! 5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”

Pray that this group in our communities will open their hearts to embrace the Love of a Heavenly Father who is also a protector.

Jeremiah 7:6-7 “6 if you do not oppress the sojourner, the fatherless, or the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place, and if you do not go after other gods to your own harm,7 then I will let you dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers forever.”

The blessing of the Lord is tied to treatment of this group of God’s people. Pray that God will forgive the church if in any way we have forgotten or intentionally mis treated this group.

Job 29:12-13 “12 Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him. 13 The blessing of him who was about to perish came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.”

Pray that God will arise and deliver the poor, fatherless and the older adults who have no persons up turn to.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 “28 At the end of every three years you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in the same year and lay it up within your towns. 29 And the Levite, because he has no portion or inheritance with you, and the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.”

The church has a responsibility to take care of this group of individuals. Pray for a revelation so that the church will not miss a blessing that comes from obeying the word of God.

Mathew 25: 41-45 “ 41 “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fireprepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43 I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 44 “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 45 “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

Can if image if on the last day after you have spent all your life in church and you are told; “depart from me, I know you not” Pray that the church must remain vigilant to obey God’s in helping the poor because at the end God will hold the church accountable to its actions.

Proverbs 28:27 “Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.”

Giving to the poor is really the trick into blessing. You can see that most unbelievers who are rich financially, are always giving to the poor and thus remain the controller of wealth. Pray for a revelation upon the church.

Proverbs 14:31 “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.”

When do don’t keep God’s command, it’s an insult. Pray for mercy and grace to walk in obedience.

Deuteronomy 15:11 “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.”

We are encouraged to face reality. Everyone will never be the same, the needy will always be in our mist. We must create room for them when we plan. Pray that God will help us.

Ezekiel 34:3-4 “3 You eat the fat, you clothe yourselves with the wool, you slaughter the fat ones, but you do not feed the sheep. 4 The weak you have not strengthened, the sick you have not healed, the injured you have not bound up, the strayed you have not brought back, the lost you have not sought, and with force and harshness you have ruled them.”

Pray that the church will have a church of attitude towards the needy in our mist, knowing that is part of the gospel.

Acts 20:35 “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The weak here may also apply to those who are physically unable to help themselves. We have many of such in the church. Pray for the grace to perceive and be sensitive enough to the needs of these ones.

1 Timothy 5:1 “Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers.”

Many church goers work in nursing homes, group adult foster care centers, hospitals, stores etc where we come in contact with the old all the time. No respect. We must ask for forgiveness and mercy towards the older people.

Deuteronomy 5:16 “Honor your father and your mother, as the Lordyour God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”

Honoring our parents especially in their older ages, is the best gift you can ever give them. Most church people throw their parents in the nursing homes, some don’t even care yet they present in the public as rich but their parents have no food, shelter or helpers. Some live with their old parents and yet have no decency to take care of them. We must repent on behalf of the whole community and ask God to forgive and the grace to take care of our own.

1 John 3:17-18 “17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

We must demonstrate love by action. It is not just words. Pray for the grace to assist in providing the needs of the needy in our community.

Philippians 2:3-4 “3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Pray for the humility of Christ to dwell in the church. There is a lot of selfishness and self centeredness so often that we fail to perceive the needs of others.

Luke 14:12-14 “12 He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. 13 But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

Most often, we give only because we want to be payed back or noticed. Therefore, our giving is selective. Pray for the grace to give to those we don’t know or those who will never pay back. Give to mission work in your communities, give to homeless shelters, nursing homes etc. You don’t only give material things but you can give your time. Ask God for help.

Isaiah 58:10 “If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.”

Are you suffering from some spiritual stuff, are you in the dark place and you have prayed all prayers? Ask the Lord for the grace to give to the poor applying this Bible verse. God help us see through your word.

Reflect on your years on this earth and have a honest conversation with yourself as your meditate on

2 Corinthians 9:7 “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Have you been a giver? What can you do differently moving forward? Ask God for help.

Day 11: Contending for Victory, Restoration, and Divine Favor for the Persecuted Church

“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
— (NKJV, 1982, Matthew 5:10)

On this day, we stand in prayer for the persecuted Church, contending for their victory, restoration, and divine favor. As many believers around the world face hardship, trials, and even death for their faith, let us declare God's promises over them. Let us pray for their strength, endurance, boldness, and ultimate triumph in Christ. We believe that God will restore all that has been lost, provide divine favor even in the midst of persecution, and strengthen His people to continue boldly sharing the Gospel. Through prayer, we intercede on their behalf, asking for God's divine intervention and miraculous deliverance.

 

1. Thanksgiving for God's Faithfulness to the Persecuted Church

 “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
(NKJV, 1982, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)

  • Prayer: Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness to Your Church, even in the most difficult circumstances. Though many face persecution, we praise You for sustaining them. We thank You for their witness and their steadfast faith, which brings glory to Your name.

 

2. Thanksgiving for the Freedom to Pray and Intercede

  • "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority." (NKJV, 1982, 1 Timothy 2:1-2)

  • Prayer: Lord, we thank You for the freedom to come before You in prayer. We do not take for granted the privilege to lift up our nations and leaders in Your presence.

 

3. Praying for Boldness to Proclaim the Gospel Fearlessly in the Face of Persecution

  • "Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
    (NKJV, 1982, Ephesians 6:19-20)

  • Prayer: Lord, we lift up every believer facing persecution. We ask for supernatural boldness and courage to continue proclaiming the Gospel. Just as Paul prayed, may they declare the mystery of the Gospel fearlessly, knowing that You are with them.

 

4. Praying for Confidence in God's Presence and Faithfulness During Persecution

  • "And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed."
    (NKJV, 1982, Deuteronomy 31:8)

  • Prayer: Father, we pray that every persecuted believer will be filled with the assurance of Your presence. Let them know that You go before them and will never leave nor forsake them. Fill them with confidence in Your faithfulness, even in the face of adversity.

 

5. Praying for Strength and Endurance in Trials

  • "Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory."
    (NKJV, 1982, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

  • Prayer: Lord, we pray for the strength and endurance of those suffering for their faith. Though outwardly they may be perishing, we ask that You renew them inwardly day by day. Help them to fix their eyes on eternal glory, knowing that their affliction is momentary and light compared to the eternal reward in Christ.

 

6. Praying for Joy and Victory in the Midst of Persecution

  • "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
    (NKJV, 1982, Matthew 5:10-12)

  • Prayer: Father, we thank You for the blessing You promised to those who are persecuted for righteousness. Help them to rejoice in their trials, knowing that their reward in heaven is great. Strengthen their faith, and may they find joy in being counted worthy to suffer for Christ.

 

7. Prayer for Divine Restoration of What Has Been Lost Due to Persecution

  • “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.”
    (NKJV, 1982, Joel 2:25)

  • Prayer: Lord, we ask for divine restoration for those who have lost homes, jobs, relationships, and even loved ones due to persecution. Just as You promised in Your Word, restore to them everything the enemy has tried to steal, and turn their mourning into joy.

 

8. Breaking Every Curse, Bondage, and Hindrance to Victory

  • “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree’).”
    (NKJV, 1982, Galatians 3:13)

  • Prayer: Father, we declare that no curse or bondage will stand against Your people. In the name of Jesus, we break every spiritual hindrance that has been placed on the persecuted Church. We declare their victory through Christ, who redeemed them from the curse.

 

9. Declaring Victory Over Every Weapon Formed Against the Persecuted Church

  • “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,” says the Lord.
    (NKJV, 1982, Isaiah 54:17)

  • Prayer: In the name of Jesus, we declare that no weapon formed against the persecuted Church will prosper. Every accusation and lie spoken against them will be condemned. We proclaim the victory of Christ over every attack of the enemy and trust that His purposes will prevail.

 

10. Praying for the Joy of the Lord to Be Their Strength

  • “Then he said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”
    (NKJV, 1982, Nehemiah 8:10)

  • Prayer: Lord, we pray that the joy of the Lord would be the strength of the persecuted Church. Despite their circumstances, fill them with Your joy, and let it strengthen and uplift them. Let joy overflow in their hearts, and may they experience the peace that surpasses understanding.

 

11. Praying for Divine Favor and Provision for the Persecuted Church

  • “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
    (NKJV, 1982, Philippians 4:19)

  • Prayer: Father, we ask for Your divine favor and provision to be upon every persecuted believer. Supply all their needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual—according to Your riches in glory. Let them experience Your abundant favor and provision, even in the midst of trials.

 

12. Praying for Divine Healing and Wholeness in Our Bodies

  • "But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." (NKJV, 1982, Isaiah 53:5)

  • Prayer: Lord, we stand on Your word that by Your stripes, we are healed. We declare healing over every sickness, every infirmity, and every affliction. We pray for divine health and wholeness in our bodies, minds, and spirits.

 

13. Praying for Divine Direction and Purpose

  • "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (NKJV, 1982, Proverbs 3:5-6)

  • Prayer: Lord, we commit our paths and plans to You. We pray for divine direction in every area of our lives—whether in career, family, ministry, or personal decisions. Guide us, Lord, and lead us into Your perfect will.

 

14. Praying for God's Favor and Grace in All Circumstances

  • "For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield." (NKJV, 1982, Psalm 5:12)

  • Prayer: Father, we ask for Your divine favor to surround us in every circumstance. Let Your grace and favor open doors that no man can shut. We declare that favor will follow us wherever we go, in Jesus' name.

 

15. Pray for God’s Choice in Leadership

  • "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." (NKJV, 1982, Daniel 2:21)

  • Prayer: Lord, we commit upcoming elections into Your hands. We pray that You will raise up the leaders You have chosen for this time and season. Let Your will be done in the selection of leaders who will govern according to Your purposes.

 

16. Pray Against Corruption and Manipulation in Elections

  • "You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." (NKJV, 1982, Deuteronomy 16:19)

  • Prayer: Father, we ask that You expose and remove every form of corruption, manipulation, and injustice in the electoral process. Let fairness and truth prevail in the elections, and thwart every scheme of the enemy to pervert justice.

 

17. Pray for Peaceful and Orderly Elections

  • "Let all things be done decently and in order." (NKJV, 1982, 1 Corinthians 14:40)

  • Prayer: Lord, we pray for peace and order during elections. Let there be no violence, confusion, or disorder. Protect the electoral process, and let it reflect decency and integrity. May the outcome be in accordance with Your divine will.

 

18. Pray for Unity and Healing After Elections

  • "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (NKJV, 1982, Ephesians 4:3)

  • Prayer: Lord, we pray for unity in our nation after the elections. Let there be healing from division and strife. May Your Church lead the way in promoting peace, love, and reconciliation, and may we be salt and light in this world.

 

19. Pray for the Church to be a Voice of Truth and Justice

  • "Open your mouth for the speechless, in the cause of all who are appointed to die. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy." (NKJV, 1982, Proverbs 31:8-9)

  • Prayer: Father, we ask that Your Church be a voice of truth and justice in the world. Give us boldness to speak up for the oppressed and stand for righteousness. Let us contend for the faith in every aspect of society.

20. Contending for nations, leaders, and the Church, even beyond the prayer day

   "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (NKJV, 1982, Ephesians 6:12)

·      This verse reminds us that the true battle is spiritual, not physical. It highlights the need for prayer, spiritual discernment, and reliance on God's strength as we contend for victory, restoration, and divine favor, especially for the persecuted Church. Prayer: Let us continue contending for nations, leaders, and the Church, even beyond the prayer day, remembering that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers

21. Thank God for answering prayers

·      Thank God for hearing our prayers, and ask Him to continue to guide us as we stand in the gap for our nations and leaders.

Declaration

  • By faith, we declare that the persecuted Church will experience victory, restoration, and divine favor in Jesus' name. No weapon formed against them will prosper, and all that has been lost will be restored. We declare that the joy of the Lord strengthens them, and they walk in the power and victory of Christ.

  • By faith, we declare that we (the Church) are settled all around! Every lost blessing is restored, every battle is won, and we walk in divine favor, healing, and prosperity in Jesus’ name. Amen!