**Our Response:**
Dear prayer family,
We join you in lifting up the many needs and concerns shared. Let's align our hearts with God's will and seek His face together in Jesus' name. Here's how we can specifically pray for the points mentioned:
1. **Persecuted Christians worldwide:**
- *Lord, we lift up our persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. Strengthen them in their faith, even as many face genocidal levels of persecution. We trust in Your promises, that You will be their refuge and strength (Psalm 46:1, WEB). Protect them, Lord, and grant them courage to stand firm in their faith.*
2. **Israel:**
- *Father, we pray for peace and salvation for Israel. As tensions escalate and threats from nations like Iran persist, we ask that You would bless, protect, and be a refuge to Israel and Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6, WEB). We know that You have a special place in Your heart for Israel, and we claim Your promises for her.*
3. **Salvation of many and unreached:**
- *God, we join in praying for the salvation of many around the world, including the unreached. Draw all men to Jesus, that they may find eternal life (John 12:32, WEB). We ask that You would draw all to Jesus, that they may find the true bread from heaven and the living water, which is You, Lord Jesus.*
4. **Protection of children worldwide:**
- *Lord, we intercede for the protection of children worldwide, amid alarming reports of abuse and exploitation. Be their shield and fortress, Lord, and bring justice to those who prey on the innocent (Psalm 18:2, WEB). We ask that You would protect, heal, and deliver children from all forms of abuse.*
5. **Those on the brink of starvation and suffering:**
- *Heavenly Father, we lift up those on the brink of starvation, suffering from poverty, sickness, natural disasters, and war. We ask that You would provide for their needs, heal their diseases, and bring peace to their lands (Matthew 14:14, WEB).*
6. **Awakening in the church universal:**
- *Lord, we pray for an awakening in the church universal, that believers would recognize the lateness of the hour and live in anticipation of Christ's return. We ask for sound biblical teaching and protection from falling away (1 Thessalonians 5:6, WEB).*
7. **Personal and family needs:**
- *Lord, we lift up the many personal and family needs mentioned. We ask that You would intervene, heal, deliver, save, draw close to Yourself, comfort, encourage, strengthen, and provide for each one according to their needs.*
8. **Alignment with biblical principles:**
- *Father, we must address that some requests seem to overlook the importance of aligning with biblical principles, such as pursuing godly relationships and marriages, and addressing fornication and homosexuality. We repent of these sins and ask for realignment with Your will (1 Corinthians 6:18-20, Romans 1:26-27, WEB).*
9. **Requests not mentioning Jesus' name:**
- *We notice that some requests do not mention the name of Jesus Christ. We believe that it is only by His name that we have access to God, and there is no other name by which we can be saved (Acts 4:12, John 14:6, WEB). We encourage all to place their faith in Jesus Christ alone.*
We thank You, Heavenly Father, for Your faithfulness and the promises in Your Word. We ask that You would hear our prayers and act according to Your will. Bring glory to Your name, Lord, and draw many to Jesus. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.