this prayer was written for IF: Pray 2015, where we used it to pray for our world. i share it with you now if you are struggling for words and searching for hope.

Lord, we are not enough for this world.
We are not wise enough to fix all that has broken.
We are not strong enough to rescue the hurting and defeat the evil.
We are not righteous enough to give justice and mercy in good measure.

But YOU. You are enough. Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit- YOU are enough for this world.

You are the only one who is enough to fix our brokenness.
You are enough to rescue us in our distress.
You are enough to overcome darkness and defeat the evil.
You are enough to be perfectly just and merciful.
You are the only Wise God.
You are the only Strong and Almighty God.
You are the only God who is Good and Just and Loving and Merciful,
and we need YOU.

Our world needs You.

We need your miraculous movement-
to protect the weak and innocent.
to lift up the persecuted, enslaved, abused, and oppressed.
to put the refugee and orphan in homes.
to guide us to unite in wisdom, love, and strength
for Your Glory and the good of Your people.

Only You can do this, and we beg You, Lord…
we beg You to move with conviction and bring salvation into the hearts of those we love who do not know You.
we beg You to move in our churches to bring true repentance for sin, revival of obedience, and resurgence of love for You and for our neighbors.
we beg You to use us in our places to share Your love and healing and saving grace so people can see You and know You.

we beg You to heal the hearts of those who we consider enemies… those with evil intent to kidnap, enslave, abuse, persecute, torture, and kill.
Lord, we pray for their hearts to be transformed and their lives to be redeemed
for Your Glory and the good of Your people.

we beg you to protect the innocent, the child, the weak, the vulnerable, the refugee, the orphan… wrap them in security that only You can give, and show them Your miraculous provision.
Lord, save them- rescue them- so they can cry out, “God did this- God saved us!”
for Your Glory and the good of Your people.

Lord, we know we are not enough. but we are Yours, and we are enough in You.
You make us enough, and we are lifting up our lives to be used by YOU in this world, Your world…
for Your Glory and the good of Your people, we offer all we have to You.