Remember my chains (Colossians 4:18).
Heavenly Father, You have invited us to come to Your throne of grace—with confidence, (boldly) so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). You invite us to bring not just our own needs, but to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...., to be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:18).
Lord, we desperately need each other's prayers! You put us in community so that we can build up and encourage each other (1 Thessalonians 5:11) and help each other by our prayers (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).
We think of the apostle Paul's agonizing request, "Remember my chains" (Colossians 4:18). And we think of others who may not be in literal prisons, but who are bound and chained in other ways. We pray for freedom and release from all types of captivity.
First, Father, we pray for the oppressed and the imprisoned, the invisible and the forgotten.
The writer of Hebrews instructs us to continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering (Hebrews 13:3). Many of us are in circumstances that are so far removed from these realities, that we neglect to constantly lift up in prayer those who face persecution, injustice, mistreatment and abuse.
We pray even now for those who suffer for their faith. Those who are harassed, targeted, ostracized, persecuted, imprisoned, or harmed. Those who have suffered loss of movement, opportunity, privilege, or property. We lift them to Your throne of grace even now. Give them strengthened faith, courage, endurance, protection and hope. Give them an unshakeable knowledge of Your abiding presence. Remember their chains, O Lord.
We pray for those who have come to know you while incarcerated. Now facing the daily challenges of living to please You and growing their faith in a prison environment. Shelter and protect them, O Lord; shower them with spiritual growth and maturity.
We pray also for those whose chains may not be visible. Those who make quiet choices to honor and obey You even at a cost. Encourage their hearts. Strengthen their resolve. Meet their needs. We are encouraged by the words of our Lord Jesus:
“Truly I tell you,...no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life” (Luke 18:29-30).
Finally Lord, we pray for those who are struggling to break free of the chains that hinder their growth, their progress, their freedom in Christ. Those held captive by cords of deceit. By the shame and embarrassment of the past.
Break down walls, strongholds, addictions, and destructive defaults. Break through unhealthy generational patterns. Release minds from shackles, feet from snares. Break through Lord, with power, and healing in the lives of those who pray—some in silent desperation—Remember my chains.
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