Prayers for Our City: October 8, 2018 – Family
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!” ~ Luke 10:5 ESV
This week we pray the blessing of Your peace, Father, to every home in Huntsville/Madison County. [How long has it been since you prayer walked/drove your neighborhood, blessing each home?]. We thank You, Lord, for the prayer initiatives both locally and nationally that call us to pray. Right now, Intercessors for America, as a strategy of unified intercession for our nation, is calling the Church to once again prayer walk our neighborhoods prior to the national elections. Go to PrayInUnity.org, sign up to prayer walk, and note on the map where you are praying.
Dear Prince of Peace, You know how much turmoil and division is in our city and this nation. Just as you modeled, give us faith to stand up to the storm and speak “Peace!” Fill us with fresh fire, Holy Spirit, so we will boldly pray and share Your love, hope, and peace to weary homes and lives.
Below is a devotion created by Dave Thompson, Sr. Vice President of Harvest Evangelism
Blessing the Nation and All Those In It
“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’” Luke 10:5
We are about to “enter the houses” of our nation through prayer—our own homes, the homes of our communities, the supermarket, the pharmacy, houses of government, industry, business, and education. Here’s the rule: If it has a door and a roof, it’s a “house.” Speak peace.
Some of these houses we will enter physically. Many of them we will “enter” from a distance in the Spirit. That’s the power of prayer. No matter the mode of entry, the exhortation Jesus gave to 70 of His followers in Luke 10 is the same one He gives to us today.
Here are some things to remember.
First, keep it simple. Just say the words every time you’re about to go through a door: “Peace be to this house.” Shoot it like an arrow. Spray it around like air freshener, and, like air freshener, let it do its work. In fact, it will begin to work—for you, in you, in others, and always in favor of what God wants to do on the other side of that door.
Second, don’t make a big deal about who you are speaking peace to. You will never look into the eyes of a person that God does not love. Separate the sin from the sinner. We are not “blessing” the sin; we are speaking the peace of God over people God created for a divine purpose who have been trapped in an unwholesome atmosphere. Speak God’s peace.
By speaking peace to every “house,” we are putting our trust in the goodness of God that leads men to repentance. We are commending the house and its occupants to God and paving the way for them to be touched by His power and presence.
Speaking unwholesome words empowers the enemy to work, not only in the lives of others but also in our very own lives. By speaking peace and blessings, we will be opening the doors to the Holy Spirit to fill both us and them with His righteous, healing presence.
In Luke 10:17-18 (NASB), we read: “The seventy returned with joy, saying, ‘Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.’ And He said to them, ‘I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning.’”
Where was Satan falling? To begin with, in the very place where the peace was spoken. In other words, speaking peace is meant to be our weapon of choice to literally push back the powers of darkness that are present right where we are in our own spheres of influence. If there is one thing the evil one cannot stand, it is the presence of God manifest through our peace. Indeed, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet!” Romans 16:20
Points for Prayer:
- Speak peace to your own house and the households of your neighbors. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
- Spend this week speaking peace and blessing over the houses of business, education, and government, from Washington D.C. to your state, to your county, and to your community. Recite the name of the institution or office and declare, “Peace be to your house!”
- Recite the names of people you know who are leading in the spheres of business, education, and government, and boldly declare, “Peace be to your house!”
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