Prayer matters

SCRIPTURE FOCUS: JOHN 4:1–42 A PRAYER FOR INTERCULTURAL MISSION

by Intercultural Mission Enabler Major Jonny Smith

SATURDAY 1 MAY – FREEDOM (JOHN 4:23 AND 24)

Freedom through Jesus is clearly shown in this Bible passage, and it’s beautiful to see. Pray today for those who are held back by something that restricts them from being free and from experiencing Jesus to the full.

SUNDAY 2 MAY – INFLUENCE (JOHN 4:39)

From a woman who has been cut off from her community, we see the power of Jesus and the influence he has through people. Arguably the first evangelist in the Bible is a socially excluded Samaritan woman who is changed through Jesus. Pray today that you will be a good influence in the places where you are, so that through you the Kingdom will grow.

MONDAY 3 MAY – INCARNATIONAL (JOHN 4:40)

What a tremendous intercultural story! It shows Jesus entering a land that few Jews would enter, talking to a person that many would have ignored, and finally moving into the village for a few days’ stay. We are called to be like Jesus, and so may we pray for courage today to be Jesus in the places where we dwell, to engage interculturally, and be willing to be mutually inconvenienced and help create a fresh story of hope in our communities.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S MINISTRIES FOCUS

by Lauren Westwood, digital content producer (IHQ)

TUESDAY 4 MAY

Sarah Bessey writes that, as followers of Christ, we each have a responsibility to ‘remember the big story of women in the world and to pay attention to their voices’. Lord, let us not take a single voice for granted in your Kingdom, regardless of gender. Equip us to help the voiceless find a voice and to truly listen to their stories.

WEDNESDAY 5 MAY

Women around the world face injustices of many kinds. Each day more women are wronged, abused and discriminated against just because of their gender. Lord, let the injustices committed against these women not just be statistics that fall upon deaf ears. Instead, fill us with a holy anger against gender inequality and inequity, and stir us into action in your righteous name.

THURSDAY 6 MAY

It must break your heart, Father, to see your children neglect to protect each other. We repent if at times we have allowed the world’s broken and twisted view of women to be reflected in our own relationships and actions. Banish any wrong, dangerous or hateful feeling that is harboured in our hearts and in the hearts of those we encounter.

FRIDAY 7 MAY

Lord, seeking justice in our broken world can be exhausting; we cannot do it in our strength alone. You have taught us that rest is important. Today, we ask that you would both comfort and strengthen us. Bless our homes with warmth, but also grant us the courage to step out of those warm, safe spaces into places rife with injustice. We want to rise up and live each day wholeheartedly for you.

* A PDF of the Prayer Matters booklet is also available to download from salvationarmy.org.uk/resources