I Prayed have prayed
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This is a wonderful idea from one of our IFA intercessors—a tangible way to pray for unity in our nation.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Col 3:14)

Thanksgiving can be a tense time where many family members hold their breath (and their tongues) as they gather with others who may have differing political and religious views.  Holidays can be stressful with these differing viewpoints sitting around the table, struggling to have a conversation around the potential landmines of opinions. What to say, what not to say, how to be honest but not offend. Not unlike our nation right now.  No one can deny we are deeply divided in how we see things.

Janis, an IFA friend and seasoned intercessor from New England, was prompted by the Holy Spirit during a recent prayer conference call, to think on the words, “the United States.”  United.  “We certainly are not united right now”, she thought.  Watch the short video she produced telling you what happened from there.

 

We encourage you to pull out a puzzle of The United States—if you don’t have one, you can get one at a dollar store.  Put the puzzle together, all while praying for unity for our nation.  For those in your family who don’t pray, tell them it is a hopeful exercise to focus on unity rather than what divides us.

What Janis doesn’t tell in her video is that while she was buying 30 of the puzzles at the dollar store, she told the clerk what she was doing during check out.  She offered one to the clerk and the manager in the next lane overheard and was interested in one as well.  Others in line behind her heard the conversation and wanted a puzzle too, which Janis gladly gave out.  Then the manager, excited about the idea, got on the intercom and asked if anyone who makes puzzles to come to the front.  Customers did!  All in all, she gave out over 10 puzzles to customers who were interested to participate in the demonstrative exercise of prayer along with her.  Sometimes something so simple, so non-threatening, so elementary, can be used by God to bring a message of hope.

If your family “prays the puzzle” this Thanksgiving, share below how it went and tell us your story by leaving a comment below.

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Ben Man
June 17, 2019

One Nation under God. Amen.

Lynn
November 28, 2018

What a unique way to pray for America to be united. Thank you for sharing that.
Another important prayer is that The Body of Christ would be united. I Cor. 1:13a asks the question, “Is Christ divided?” Yet there are so many denominations and so little unity. We could use I Cor.1:12 to say, “I’m a Baptist.” or “I’m a Methodist” or, “I’m an evangelical.” etc.
There is a verse in the Bible that says, “Judgement begins in the house of the Lord.” If we Christians want our nation united, we need to demonstrate how that works in the body of Christ. Denominations need to get together in unity and pray for America to be United.

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Marsh
November 24, 2018

Before the 2016 ELECTIONS, THE LORD directed me to buy a USA MAP and pray for each state.
NOW I USE that same puzzle, praying one state at a time, in a different manner.
I use my hallway mirror to conveniently be reminded to pray.
– I LOVE the idea of praying as a UNITED States! 🗺

    Kris
    June 17, 2019

    Thank you for the reminder. We did the puzzle and prayer last year on Thanksgiving after reading your article here and I forget to keep praying that prayer.

      Marsha
      June 17, 2019

      We each need reminders from each other.
      ….We are HIS TEAM, praying, praising, and declaring HIS GLORY!

Linda Pratt
November 20, 2018

I bought a puzzle of the U.S. in February 2017 to pray over the nation. I stuck it in my closet because it’s a large floor puzzle. In the mean time I used the handprints for a prayer idea the Lord gave me, completely forgetting about the puzzle. About two weeks ago I was cleaning out the closet and found my U.S. puzzle. I asked the Lord two days ago what I should do with it. Now, the Lord has just recently given me an idea for a prayer board for my life group and the Lord dropped unity on my husband’s heart for God’s possibilities. Wohoo! I’m taking this puzzle with me on Thanksgiving to my family get together. We’re going to put it together while we pray for unity for the nation. Thank you for sharing this “God Idea” with all of us. Happy Thanksgiving.

Nancy Connolley
November 20, 2018

I love Edward’s comment. I just ordered a placemat that shows the USA, and I will use it to pray for unity in America.

Maureen Bravo
November 20, 2018

When Janis shared this on the 24/7 NSPC, we all loved it! I bought 30 US maps and sent them out with this note:

For 11-22-18 One of our facilitators on our 24/7 National Strategic Prayer Call decided to get a puzzle (map of the USA) and put it together, as a symbolic act of “UNITING” our nation under God, while praying for our people to be healed of the division we are so deeply experiencing. She went to the Dollar Store, and bought several, to give out to those she loved! With such a difficult election season, and with so many things we have to deal with, I decided to follow suit and invite you, my loved ones, to take this out and put it together on Thanksgiving, when you gather with family to pray. As we move into the days ahead, may a deep healing come to the hearts of the people of this nation. May each of you and your families be those who facilitate that healing in your communities. Lord, bless and heal our land and make us all one with You…ONE NATION UNDER GOD! God bless and keep you all! In His love and with mine, Mother / Maureen / Momo x

Kris
November 20, 2018

This is a great idea and plan. I will try to get this puzzle and do this on Thanksgiving.

Thank you for sharing!
God bless you,

Kris

Edward
November 20, 2018

Placemats….not placentas…sorry.

Edward
November 20, 2018

My 81 y.o. mother has US placemats on her kitchen table that go back at least 20 years. She’s been using hers to pray for our great nation everyday! I’ve been doing this too! America needs all the prayers Christians will offer up on her behalf.

Edward
November 20, 2018

My 81 y.o. mother has US placentas on her kitchen table that go back at least 20 years. She’s been using hers to pray for our great nation everyday! I’ve been doing this too! America needs all the prayers Christians will offer up on her behalf.

Dorothy Haynes
November 20, 2018

I watched the entire video and I will purchase a puzzle of the United States and pray for our nation as I put it together. Thank you for idea of doing that. I find joy in praying for our nation because I know God is listening and in His own way he is responding.

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