Prayers for Our City: February 11, 2019

“Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, ‘I am the light of the world!
The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 NKJV

We praise You, Lord Jesus, for being the Light and Hope of the world! You are the One who conquered death and gives life.

We come to You knowing this kind of prayer focus requires us to be clothed in the armor of your truth righteousness, peace, faith, and hope. (Eph. 6:10-18). Thank You for the offensive weapon You’ve provided – the Sword of the Spirit, Your Word, to cut off the wicked schemes of the enemy.

We want to cover in prayer those in our community who have lost hope. The depth of their despair has them in dark bondage. Lord, we cry out to You because too many have chosen to escape this pain and hopelessness through suicide. We’ve lost too many of those who are homeless, too many of our veterans and active military, and oh, Lord, too many of our youth!

We know these precious troubled ones that You died for are being lied to by dark forces. We apply Your blood and call on Your mighty Name, Jesus, to break off the spirits of death, despair, torment, and every lying voice that is blinding minds to the hope and life You offer.

As with all illness, Jesus, we know Your sacrifice paid for all mental health issues. (Isaiah 53:5) Would You remove the stigma associated with mental health problems and cause us to devote ourselves to pray for solutions – spiritual and physical.

Thank You for Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s SPEAK program (Suicide. Prevention. Empowerment. Awareness. Knowledge.). According to their data, “suicide is the second leading cause of death for Alabama children ages 10-14; and the third leading cause of death for ages 15-24. Yet 90 percent of young people who made a suicide attempt have a treatable psychiatric disorder.” Bless and use this organization as it reaches out to bring awareness and prevention to our school students, teachers, health professionals and parents. [see more at https://www.huntsvillehospitalfoundation.org/get-involved/speak-program/ regarding SPEAK and its partner organizations]

[Cry out for mercy, comfort and help for families in our community who have suffered the loss of a loved one to suicide or are struggling to help a family member with a mental health problem.]

“My God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from [self] violence.”
II Sam. 22:3 NLT

Numbers recommended to have in your phone contacts:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Children or adolescents suffering from suicidal thoughts can call the Crisis Services of North Alabama at 2-1-1, 256-716-1000, or 1-800-273-TALK.