I wrote this prayer after reading chapter 19 in the book of Judges:

Father, I do not like this chapter—this story makes me sick!  It is difficult even to imagine these types of things happening nowadays, in our “enlightened”, modern society.  Remind me Lord, that wherever the King does not reign, the enemy’s influence and human depravity abound!

Pour out your Spirit into my life and the lives of my children and their families; give all of your people discernment to recognize every demonic spirit of antichrist, of lawlessness, and of depravity at work in the world these days.  Separate, in our hearts and our understanding, the light from the darkness.  Give us wisdom to recognize truth, and courage to stand up against every lie of the enemy.

Keep me from the distractions and diversions the enemy throws my way, the things which keep me from accomplishing your purposes for my life.  I do not want to be delayed!—rather, I choose to listen to you and be led by your Holy Spirit.  Lord, I do not want the cares of this world—what I eat, what I drink, where I live, and the clothes I wear—to so consume my focus that I do not hear you or see the bigger things you have for me.  Awaken me always to seek you early and strengthen my heart in you—for it is faith that overcomes the world, and faith comes through hearing your Word.

Teach me your ways; give me your wisdom.  Train my ears to listen and my heart to discern wise counsel.  Give me an abundance of grace to resist leaning on my own understanding; instead, teach me to wait on you and recognize your voice.

Father, I am incredibly appalled that the men in this story could treat these two young women so cruelly, and with no regard for their lives.  It is so easy to assign those depths of degradation to the paganism and corruption existing in a much earlier time of human history and overlook the same disregard for life, the human trafficking, and demonic activities at work in the world today.  The enemy has not changed, unless it is to become more diverse in his perversions and subtle in his deceptions.  Expose his works of darkness, O God!

Forgive me; forgive your people for indifference and passivity.  Create passion in our hearts for our King and His Kingdom—let our prayer always be, “thy kingdom come, they will be done one earth as it is in heaven.”  Train us always to live in the righteousness, peace, and joy of your Holy Spirit.  Give us courageous hearts to champion righteousness and justice for the broken, disregarded, and rejected people of this world.  Immerse our lives in your grace so that we can extend it to everyone we encounter on our journeys through this life.

I pray these things in the powerful name of Jesus, amen.