As we faithfully pray for the leaders in our nation, we must also be watchmen where it counts the most — in our homes.  As you pray for your loved ones, here are a few key principles that may be helpful in seeing fruitful intercession on their behalf.

1] Prayer is first about building trust in a Person. It’s been said that “prayer changes things.” It’s actually the faith behind those prayers that makes the difference. We place our trust not in a prayer but in a Person. Our conversation with God through prayer helps us build our trust in His constant presence, His daily provision, and His unfailing promises.

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Heb 11:6 – Without FAITH it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.

2] Release all fear and anxiety. The most effective prayers start in faith, not in worry. Begin with worship, meditation, reading Scripture, or praying in your spiritual language in order to pray from a place of God’s rest and peace, seated far above all the worries of the world.

Eph 2:6-7 – And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

3] Remember that God’s goal is to make us holy, not make us happy. Happiness is our choice, but holiness is a command from the Lord (1 Peter 1:16). It’s hard to see loved ones go through struggles, and yet, it may be that they are wrestling with something God intends to use in order to reach their heart. Surrender them to the Lord and allow His loving discipline to do its work (Heb 12:10).

Heb 5:8 – Although He was a son, He learned obedience through what he suffered.

4] Clear the way in prayer so that THEY can hear the Father’s voice. Our goal in prayer should be for our loved one to have a first-hand encounter with the Lord and learn to hear His voice for themselves. He delights in revealing Himself to his sons and daughters. Our prayers provide a spiritual blanket of His presence that can silence other voices and limit distractions so that they are free and clear to encounter Him personally.

Phil 1:9-11 – And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

5] Maintain a specific prayer focus. We don’t always know the details of God’s working. But we DO know that God wants to get to each one’s heart before anything else. Pray for them to be overshadowed by His Presence, hungry for relationship with Him, and seekers of Truth. Our priority in prayer is to see our loved ones led by the Spirit, operate in the mind of Christ, and know the heart of the Father. These heart issues are foundational to all others.

Eph 1:17-19 – I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

6] Have the attitude of Jesus who said, “The enemy has no hold on me!” This means getting rid of any known sin or compromise in your life. James 5:16 states, “The prayer of a RIGHTEOUS person is powerful and effective.” Make sure to maintain a pure heart and clean hands so that you have the needed spiritual authority to stand in the courts of heaven and petition on behalf of your family!

7] Pray together with someone. Praying together as husband and wife will double the chances of success in answered prayers. When moms and dads pray together on behalf of their children, their agreement has the authority to defeat every scheme of the enemy aimed at their household. The agreement that comes with praying together is huge. Make it a lifestyle. If you struggle to find agreement on various issues, pray the Word of God, as it never fails.

Matthew 18:19 – Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

8] Use the Word of God as your prayer journal. Breakthrough prayer happens when you agree with what God has already said. Pray the promises of God back to Him on behalf of your family member. You are prophesying over them when you speak HIS WORD over them (Ez 37:4). Though you can’t override their will, you are making it a lot harder for them to refuse Him.

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Here are some key Scriptures to use when praying for family members. Write them down in your own journal, and make them into prophetic declarations for your loved ones.

Romans 5:2-5; 8:5-11; 15:5, 13; 2 Corinthians 4; 9:8-11; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 1:17-19; 3:16-20; Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-12; 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 2:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3-8; Psalm 119:9-16, 33-40; 91; and many other Psalms!