“‘And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.’ And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they, after worshiping Him, returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God” (Luke 24: 49-53).

Jesus instructed His followers to stay in Jerusalem to await being “clothed with power from on high.” They could never have imagined the mighty rushing wind of the Spirit and the Shekinah glory of God coming upon them and so many others. The world would never be the same. God had come to dwell in the hearts of people forever!

Thousands of Christians have been finding ways to pray night and day throughout the ten days following the day marking the ascension of Jesus, and leading to the Global Day of Prayer, celebrated by many believers on Pentecost Sunday. We watch and pray following the pattern of Christ’s followers in Jerusalem before the first Pentecost.

Here is a powerful prayer for the world to celebrate this season of waiting, which for believers today, precedes His return! This prayer can be used in part or as a whole, prayed in unison or responsively. Take time to pause and reflect after each section:

PRAYER FOR THE WORLD

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth” (Isaiah 62:6-7).

Almighty God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

You alone are holy and righteous. We gather with believers all over the world, to humble ourselves before You, to pray, to seek your Face and to turn from our wicked ways, to intercede for the lost, the hopeless, the helpless and the world.

Lord, have mercy on us.

(Pause)

Our Father in heaven,

Thank You for loving the world so much that You gave Your only Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins so that we could be reconciled to You and adopted into your Family. Lord, have mercy on us.

Let your Kingdom be established in every nation of the world, Your will be done through the transformation among peoples of all tribes and languages, so that righteousness and justice will prevail. We call on You for the salvation of the unsaved, for the unreached and for those who have never heard about Jesus Christ, our Lord.

May Your Name be great, from the rising of the sun to its setting.

(Pause)

Father of mercy and grace,

We have sinned. Our world is gripped by the power of sin. Our hearts are grieved by injustice, hatred and violence. We are shamed by oppression, racism, corruption, rape, theft and bloodshed in our land. We mourn all loss of life in murder, abortion, war and terrorism.

Lord, have mercy on us, forgive our sins and heal our land.

(Pause)

Lord Jesus Christ,

You destroyed sin, conquered death and defeated Satan. Deliver us from demonically-inspired financial, religious and ideological systems, from poverty, slavery and tyranny. Remove the veil of darkness that covers the peoples. Restrain the evil that promotes violence and death.

Lord, have mercy on us and deliver us from evil.

(Pause)

Holy Spirit, Spirit of Grace, Spirit of Truth,

Anoint us to bring healing to the sick, deliverance to the oppressed and to comfort those who mourn. Strengthen those who care for the sick. Fill us with love and compassion for the homeless, the hungry, the orphans, the elderly and the marginalized.

Lord, have mercy on us and heal our diseases.

(Pause)

Lord Jesus Christ, Head of the Church,

We confess that our homes are broken and our churches divided. Our lives are polluted by selfishness, greed, idolatry and sexual perversions. We draw near to You for forgiveness, healing and restoration. We need wisdom and insight for the global financial crisis and how to use the resources of the Earth for the well-being of all.

Lord, have mercy on us, sanctify and consecrate us.

(Pause)

King of Glory,

Come and finish Your work in our cities, our peoples and our nations. From all continents and islands, we cry:

Lift up your heads, O you gates! Be lifted up ancient doors so that the King of glory may come in!

Come fill the earth with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the sea.

The Spirit and the Bride say: Amen! Come Lord Jesus!

*Prayer from Global Voice of Prayer (globalvoiceofprayer.com)