Welcome to season 2 of the Determined to Dance podcast. I pray that you’ll be uplifted, encouraged, and will move forward each and every day. Today’s episode, Intercession for Our State, explores different ways to lift the state, province, region, or republic you live in, to the Father.

Show Notes: Praying Like Jesus: Intercession for Our State

I remember, years ago, a time when I carried my teenage children to a youth service in another town. Imagine a concert atmosphere with many youths, loud music, and special effects. We enjoyed the music, but what came next caught me off-guard. The leaders began to pray for our state, Alabama.

And not a little “bless us” prayer either but a cry from the heart to God. Reminding Father God that our state had a plan and purpose in the will of God. Repenting for our past. Embracing our future. Everyone joined in interceding for a state that, in the past, had oft been belittled, mocked, and ridiculed. The place we lived.

God sees differently than we do.

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him,

because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,

Just as we hope in You.” Psalm 33: 18-22 NKJV

The people at the youth event were dancing with God exuberantly and my children and I became part of something beautiful. Whether we live in a state, province, republic, or region, God has a plan and it is good.

How can we pray specifically for the area that we live in?

1. Begin with repentance. Acknowledge the sins of our forefathers and the sins of today. Ask God to cleanse, renew, and heal. “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51: 1-2 NKJV
   
2. Move then to salvation. Many don’t know Christ as their Lord and Savior. They have no clue what they are missing. Pray for laborers and outreach, then we make ourselves available to God’s leading concerning our part in bringing salvation to our area. “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 NKJV
   
3. Pray God’s purpose be revealed. We need to seek God and ask for His will and way to shine strongly in our area. Ask for revelation knowledge so that we see our, our church’s, and our communities’ part in seeing His will accomplished. “For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” Mark 3: 35 NKJV
   
4. Pray for safety and protection. Our enemies do not like to see people following hard after the heart of God. Pray for protection over cities, towns, and rural areas. Pray for people to have discernment concerning the plans of the enemy, especially people in government and emergency services. “So, you shall observe My statutes and keep My judgments, and perform them; and you will dwell in the land in safety.” Leviticus 25:18 NKJV
   

I want to pray for my region as we did at that youth service, lifting words of hope and encouragement over the place I call home.

Let’s pray: Father God, we lift our state, region, the place we live to You. We come first and repent of any former sins perpetrated here and for any today. Forgive us and bring salvation to the people who need You. We pray Your purpose is revealed and that You will protect us all. Lead us in the way everlasting. In Jesus’ name, we pray, amen.

Let us continue to pray over the area where we reside.

Today’s featured author is Izzy James, author of The Woodcarver’s Snow-Kissed Christmas, a Christian Historical Romance novella. Troublesome Reed Archer has come home claiming new-found faith. Ann Wright wants a partner, not an overbearing man for a husband. Can a risky proposition at Christmastide make them see each other in a new light and bring a happily-ever-after for both of them?

Learn more at izzyjamesauthor.com

Next week, we’ll focus on intercession for our nation. Until then, stay determined to dance…

Click to tweet: Today’s episode on the Determined to Dance podcast, Intercession for Our State, explores different ways to lift the state, province, region, or republic you live in, to the Father. #TuesdayThoughts #prayer

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Remember: Intercession for Our State

I absolutely love music and each week I’d like to share a relevant song we can enjoy together.

https://youtu.be/eMHoKdawIEY