If you’re like us, you’ve been taking in the heartbreaking headlines, images, and videos coming out of Israel and Palestine during the past few days. Sometimes, it’s hard to even know what to pray for. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is faithful to intercede for the burdens on our hearts when we can’t find the words (Romans 8:26-27).

Nevertheless, we’ve compiled a list of guided prayers below, to serve as a resource for you. They are organized using the “ACTS” prayer method. Our hope is that you read this post in a posture of prayer. If you’d like, you can hover over the Scripture references to read the complementary passages included as added prayer prompts.

ADORATION

 God, our Eternal King,

• We praise You for the absolute holiness and purity of Your character. You are set apart from the sin which corrupts human hearts and leads to senseless crime. All of Your intentions are good and true. (Psalm 145:17, Psalm 18:30, Deuteronomy 32:4)

• We call to mind Your sovereignty over every era of human existence. Nothing falls outside the realm of Your control. (1 Chronicles 29:11-12, Job 12:10, 42:2)
  

• You alone are the God who can repurpose evil for good, bending the evil intentions of mankind into stories of hope and redemption. (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28-29)
  

• You are the Warrior-King, the defender of the helpless. You will never abandon Your chosen people. (Exodus 15:2-3, Psalm 62:5-7, Isaiah 49:7-9, Jeremiah 3:14-18)

• You will put an end to the violence of the wicked. (Psalm 7:9, Psalm 37:27-28)
  

• You are the God of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 23:4, Revelation 21:4, Isaiah 25:8)  

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CONFESSION 

Father, in humility, we ask you to:

• Forgive us for the seasons when our trivial pursuits result in prayerlessness. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Psalm 5:3, James 5:16)

• Forgive us for our complacency toward the sufferings of others. (Hebrews 13:3, Philippians 2:4)
  

• Forgive us for often elevating our own self-preservation above Your purposes. (Matthew 16:25, Philippians 1:21)
  

• Forgive us for any instances where righteous indignation has turned to sinful anger in our hearts. (Ephesians 4:26-27, James 1:19-20)

• Forgive us for the roots of bitterness and selfishness in our own hearts that have led us to treat others with contempt or hatred, even in our thoughts. (Matthew 5:21-22)
  

• Forgive us for surrendering to fear. (Luke 12:32, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28)
  

• Forgive us for moments of despondency and hopelessness that disregard Your sovereignty and supremacy, paralyzing us from the pursuit of Your kingdom. (Romans 15:13, Romans 12:12)

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THANKSGIVING

Gracious Lord, we:

• Thank You for Your great compassion toward the suffering and oppressed. (Isaiah 61:1, Jeremiah 30:8)
  

• Thank You for extending comfort to those in peril. (Psalm 94:18-19, Psalm 40:1-3)
  

• Thank You that You are not far off, but rather, intimately involved in the affairs of mankind. (Acts 17:27-28, Daniel 4:17)
  

• Thank you for our eternal hope. Thank You for the promise that even death cannot separate believers from Your love and Your eternal life. (Romans 8:38-39)
  

• Thank You for the promise of everlasting peace. (John 14:27, Revelation 22:1-5)

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SUPPLICATION

According to Your will, we earnestly ask You:

• To extend mercy. (Psalm 25:6)
  

• To give us a heart for the suffering and oppressed. (Galatians 6:2, Psalm 82:3)
  

• To protect civilians in Israel and in the Gaza Strip. (Psalm 3:3, Psalm 46:1)
  

• To rescue hostages. (Psalm 34:4-7, Psalm 146:7)
  

• To reunite families and enable those affected by transportation closures to return home. (Psalm 27:5, Psalm 32:7)
  

• To transform the hearts of the persecutors. No one is beyond the reach of Your redemptive hand. (1 Timothy 2:4, Matthew 5:44)
  

• To grant wisdom to those in government positions. (Proverbs 21:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-4)
  

• To fortify and mobilize believers in the Middle East to share hope. (Psalm 31:24)
  

• To help us trust in Your redemptive plan as it unfolds in the Middle East. (Matthew 24:6-13)
  

• To help us recognize the spiritual battles manifesting themselves through physical battles. Please grant us an eternal perspective. (Ephesians 6:12)
  

• To use this crisis to turn the hearts of Jewish men, women, and children to their true Savior, Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 45:22, Romans 9:1-5)
  

• To surround Your people, as You have promised. (Psalm 125:2, John 16:33)

We pray all this in the powerful name of Jesus,
Amen

Faithful God,
Creator of time and seasons,
In Your generosity, You have brought us to the dawn of another autumn. (Genesis 1:14, Psalms 74:16-17, Psalms 104:19)

As we mark the sunset of summer,
Fill us with gratitude for the good things You’ve given us to enjoy in its warmth. (James 1:17)

In this season marked by renewed academic pursuits of many,
Invigorate us also to renew our desire to be students of Your Word. (Psalm 119:103, Colossians 3:16)

In the changing routines of our family or of those dear to us,
In the flurry of lunch packing, evening sporting events, and homework assignments,
Give us steadfast hearts stayed on You as we trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3-4, Hebrews 13:8)

As new settings provide fresh opportunities for interaction,
Let us make much of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 5:14, 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)

In the challenges we will face in this season, both known and unknown,
We rest in this: each challenge is foreseen by You, and bends to Your good purposes.
In your kindness, our challenges in this season will make us more like Jesus. (Romans 8:28-29)

In Your love, expose the mirage of our own strength.
Let us instead thirst for Your grace and wisdom, which are generously supplied, should we ask. (1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 121:1-2, Proverbs 3:5-6, John 15:5, Hebrews 4:15-16, James 1:5)

Amidst all that will surely fill our days,
Let us seek first Your Kingdom,
And there find every need supplied. (Psalm 84:11, Matthew 6:33)

It can seem difficult to find peace in our current cultural landscape (let alone our global one). Maybe you can relate. Our hearts break as we read headlines and scroll through social media feeds – and even these glimpses convey only a fraction of the turmoil present in human experience. The following meditation is shared with us by FBC’s Production Director, Josh Roberts. It’s a collection of his thoughts shaped by a recent experience in prayer while gathered with other believers. Our prayer is that you’re able to slow down and let this reality profoundly comfort you: “There’s Peace in the Throne Room.”

Revelation 4: The King of the Throne Room

2 At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne. 3 And he who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian, and around the throne was a rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald. 4 Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, 6 and before the throne there was as it were a sea of glass, like crystal.

And around the throne, on each side of the throne, are four living creatures… And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
 who was and is and is to come!”

9 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Hebrews 4: Access to the Throne Room

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Philippians 4: Peace in the Throne Room

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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“Throne Room.”
Merriam-Webster says it’s “a formal audience room containing the throne of a sovereign”.
For us, it’s the presence of God.
It’s a place of honor.
In the Old Testament, it was the Holy of Holies.
Only the High Priest could enter in, once a year.
In the New Testament, Christ became our perfect High Priest,
tearing the veil so that we could enter in -
so that we could confidently
“draw near to the throne of grace”,
and “find grace to help in time of need”.

Because of Christ,
There’s not only reverance in the throne room;
there’s peace in the throne room.

There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’re not an intruder.
You’ve been welcomed in.
You have an audience with the King.
You’re not just venting to someone over coffee;
you’re speaking with the King of the Universe,
the One who alone is in control,
the One who can affect change.
(John 10:9, John 14:6, Hebrews 4:16, Ephesians 2:18, Ephesians 3:12, Hebrews 10:19, Hebrews 6:19-20)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the King is also your Father.
There’s peace because, even though storms rage outside,
Dad’s at home. He knows what to do.
You are safe with Him.
(Isaiah 43:1-2, Mark 4:39, Psalm 62:7-8, Isaiah 41:10)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
peace is not dependent on the outcome.
Even when the answer is “no”,
He is looking out for you.
He knows what’s best.
He’s going to do what brings Him glory.
He’s going to work in your best interest.
(Philippians 4:11-13, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-8, Isaiah 55:8-9, Psalm 145:17)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
whether or not your circumstances are shifted,
your perspective is.
Your eyes are fixed on the One in the seat of honor and holiness.
Your problems shrink smaller in comparison to Him.
(Psalm 27:4-5, Psalm 46:1-3)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room becomes a place where your worries can go to die.
It’s a place where you concentrate the same energies
that you did in anxiety or fear,
on making your requests known to God.
It’s dwelling there.
It’s lingering there.
And somewhere in that communion,
peace comes to life in the space where worry had been before.
(Philippians 4:4-7, Isaiah 26:3)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
you’ve been invited to cast your cares upon Another.
You’ve been invited to trade a heavy burden for an easy yoke.
You’ve been invited to let your Shepherd share your load.
You’re not carrying it alone.
(Psalm 55:22, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-29)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
the throne room is always available to you.
And entering isn’t limited to spoken prayer.
Communion is a frame of mind.
(John 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

There’s peace because, in Christ,
we have been invited into relationship with the Sovereign King
who alone is in control, and who works all things out for the good of those who love Him.
(Romans 5:2, Romans 8:28-29)

JOSH ROBERTS | PRODUCTION DIRECTOR

Josh Roberts is FBC’s Production Director. His passion at FBC is to lead his team in developing dynamic, creative environments where God is magnified, where people meet with Him, and where The Gospel is communicated without distraction. He would tell you that although he loves the technical world, at the end of the day, Production ministry is all about loving people by helping them encounter our truly glorious God.  

When he’s not in the booth mixing audio, you can find him scouting out the best barbeque around, hiking, disc golfing, or drinking coffee with his wife.