It’s not the title I gave the book/prayer journal, but it fits!

I’ve been neglecting my blog for the past month as I’ve been working on finishing my latest prayer journal, “12 Fearless Men—Praying through the minor prophets.” What an intense, convicting, eye-opening study that has been! If ever there was a time to read and study the minor prophets, now would be a good one—their writings are dynamically relevant to the current political and cultural times.

This is the introduction to the book (I share this, not because I want you to buy a copy of the book, but because I want to encourage you to get into the Book and study these oft overlooked gems of scripture):

“My Bible study and prayer journey through the minor prophets was amazing! There is nothing minor about their prophesies and messages, though. What impresses me so much is how relevant these books of the prophets are for the time in history where we find ourselves now—these scripture passages speak to the heart condition of people as much now as they ever did. They tell of the character of God and the nature of man. They speak of a coming Messiah, first as a humble servant and then as a King to reign in Jerusalem. What a treasure we miss when we consider them minor or pick out special verses without considering the whole story! I pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart as you embrace God’s Word and read these warrior prayers.”

This prayer was written from Zephaniah 3:

“Gracious Father, I bless your Name and praise you for being a righteous and just God. You bring judgment on the rebellious, the defiled, and the oppressors; yet you show mercy to all who listen to your voice and accept your correction. Hallelujah! Let your Spirit teach me and guide my prayer as I seek you and read your Word today.

Lord, what I am reading here in your Word describes what is going on in cities and states, in this nation, and around the world right now. Officials, politicians, and unjust judges are threatening and destroying lives, perverting justice, and allowing greed for power and wealth to consume them.

There are wolves amongst the sheep in your church, too, Lord—pastors, teachers, charismatic leaders—who are fickle regarding truth and righteousness, who choose compromise with the world, the lusts of the flesh, and with demonic philosophies, finding it easier to surrender to the enemy than resist him.

Protect your sheep, Lord; guard and defend our hearts and lives from lying spirits. Grant us discernment to recognize what has been profaned by the enemy—such as your creation, marriage, and what the world calls “gender identity.” Holy Spirit, help your people determine in their hearts to regard your Word as sacred and your precepts as true.

Lord, you alone are righteous, and you do no injustice; remind your people of that, I pray. You are good, and you do good, though countless who do not know you claim otherwise. Many accuse you of injustice, and the father of lies spreads falsehoods about you; but I pray that your church tenaciously holds on to you in faith and confidence in your holy character.

“The Lord within her is righteous; He does no injustice; every morning He shows forth His justice; each dawn He does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.” (Zephaniah 3:5).

Father, this verse tells us that each dawn is a reminder that your justice does not fail, but the unjust are shameless.

I see so much dishonesty and perversion of justice in our nation and around the world right now—and I am amazed at the shamelessness many national leaders and some church leaders exhibit when their evil plans, their lies, and their greed are exposed. They defend their iniquity instead of humbling themselves in repentance.

Don’t let me, my children, or their families become shameless or hardened by pride and iniquity. Teach us to fear you and willingly accept your correction. May we wait for you with patience and grace, O Lord.

A day of judgment surely is coming for those who reject you. One day, Jesus, you will clear away your enemies and establish your reign in Jerusalem.

You, Lord, will be with us—you are the mighty One who saves; you will rejoice over your people with gladness and your love will quiet our hearts. You bring salvation to the broken and lost; you restore the discouraged and rejected.

Yes, there is no doubt about it—you are just, righteous, and good—and I will praise your Name forever. In that Name, the precious Name of Jesus, I pray, amen.