“Prayer Moves the Hand that Moves the World”
“‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NASB)
Three Important Words
Many people consider this verse only when in difficult situations, using it to inspire hope that God has a plan for their deliverance or recovery. Though certainly including this, the verse has a much broader meaning. “Future” is derived from a Hebrew word that includes the meaning of destiny.(1) The New King James Version at times translates it this way.
The word “plans” is taken from a word meaning “to weave, plait, or mix.”(2) It can even refer to craftsmen inventing musical instruments, artistic objects, weapons, and other objects. The concept is simple: combining two or more substances to create something new. When used in reference to the mind, it refers to thoughts mixing together to form plans.
God has plans for our future that involve more than rescue operations. They are His all-wise thoughts, woven together into plans before we are even born (Psalm 139:16) that become a hope-filled destiny. We can have confidence that we are more than a meaningless blip on eternity’s radar screen. God has assignments for us to accomplish, people whose lives we are to impact, prayers we are to pray, and more.
“Hope” is a word that means more than a pleasant expectation regarding the future; it is also the word for a cord or tether.(3) Fascinating. Hope “connects” us to our future. Conversely, a lack of hope can cause us to give up on life, thereby disconnecting us from our future. Knowing and believing God has good plans and a destiny for us is more than optimism; this understanding and assurance actually connects us to that plan.
This hope also forms a path or track upon which to travel. We no longer wander aimlessly, but follow the roadmap God gives us as we confidently seek Him daily (Proverbs 3:5-6). Life becomes a secure, meaningful journey, not a maze of endless dead ends and wrong turns.
Governmental Destinies
God destines some people to be leaders, including leadership in government. Donald Trump now believes that God saved his life in order for him to play a significant role in saving America. This belief has become a purpose that produces passion, a path that provides direction, and a cord connecting him to God. A belief in destiny, as President Trump now possesses, creates incredible motivation, discipline, and focus.
There are others in our government whom I am sure also realize they are there by God’s design and calling. The concept of a “calling” is not limited to the religious world. Adam was called to be a gardener, David was called to be a shepherd and king, Abraham was called to be a rancher. God used these individuals mightily as they carried out responsibilities and pursued careers we would not normally consider “spiritual.” Many individuals in vocations we would not consider spiritual do more to influence the world than those in so-called “spiritual” vocations. Are we to believe God does not “call” people to and equip them for this level of influence in government and other influential arenas? Of course He does.
This means we must pray for God’s gifts, anointing, and wisdom to be given them in their assignments. Do President Trump, his cabinet, and his advisors need this God-given help less than Moses, David, Josiah, or other leaders in the Scriptures? Do Mike Johnson and other legislators need this less than Joseph, Daniel, or Joshua? These people today are making decisions that influence the entire world! We need to pray that they will seek God and hear His voice. We should ask that Holy Spirit’s help be given them, as well as that of angels. We ask that revelation of Scripture and insight from dreams be given to them. And, of course, we should pray for their safety and protection from harm, wrong influences, and corruption. We also pray for their families.
I continue to feel a prompting from Holy Spirit to pray for President Trump and our leaders as they navigate the situation in Iran, and, of course, as they face other issues here in America. They desperately need Holy Spirit’s and angelic help as they deal with complex circumstances.
I do not find it a stretch to believe that some mistakes made by leaders could have been avoided had people been praying for them. I believe some leaders who have fallen into sin could have been spared had people been praying for them. Peter’s ministry and walk with God were undoubtedly saved by Christ’s intercession for him (Luke 22:31-32). Why would we be called to pray for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-3) if our prayers did nothing? We must accept our responsibility to pray for those in government; part of their success in serving us will be determined by our faithfulness to pray.
The great preacher and orator, Charles Spurgeon, once made the profound statement, “Prayer bends the omnipotence of heaven to your desire. Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.”(4) This doesn’t mean our prayers control God; it means they invite and cause His involvement. Let’s keep Him involved in our nation’s government.
Pray with me:
Father, thank You for the assurance that we have a purpose, and that our lives were planned by You. You created us with design and intent; we all have a calling and destiny. Teach us to factor this into our decisions and goals, always seeking Your path for us, staying tethered to Your purpose.
A purpose we all share is moving Your powerful hand through our prayers. We are honored to partner with You in this way. We do so today by interceding for our government. We pray that President Trump, his cabinet, and his advisors will be given wisdom from You to lead America on a path of restoration. Keep them from wrong decisions and demonic traps. Help them make sound financial, legal, and military decisions. Guide them in their dealings with other nations. Help them reform our nation back to strength and morality.
We pray for Congress. Give them the understanding needed to legislate wisely. Give favor to those who honor You and Your ways; remove the voices of those who do not. Deliver us from the political spirit that is so influential and divisive in our nation.
We pray for our Justices and Judges. Give them wisdom and understanding. Give us Judges who do not legislate, but who accurately and wisely interpret laws without prejudice or bias. We ask for the removal of those who politicize their positions and who do not honor You.
Please continue to cleanse and reform our government and send an outpouring of Holy Spirit to our nation’s leaders. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that we are divinely tethered to the plans and purposes of the Lord for our lives.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
James Strong, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1990), ref. no. 319.
Ibid., ref. no. 4284, 2803.
Ibid., ref. no. 8615.
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/559908-prayer-bends-the-omnipotence-of-heaven-to-your-desire-prayer