Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them. —Hebrews 13:3
A CALL TO PRAYER AND FASTING
October 7 marks one year that EPC Pastor Andrew Brunson has been incarcerated in Turkey. Andrew and his wife, Norine, have faithfully served the Lord as church planters to the Turkish people for 23 years. Yet now Andrew is being charged with terrorism and espionage.
PRAY FOR ANDREW’S AWARENESS OF GOD’S LOVE AND PRESENCE:
Hebrews 13:5-6 “I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me.’”
Psalm 3 “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory and the lifter of my head…I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me. I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around…Salvation belongs to the Lord.”
PRAY FOR WISDOM AND POWER TO ANSWER HIS ACCUSERS:
Ephesians 6:10-20 (The whole armor of God) “Praying at all times in the Spirit…and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.”
Matthew 10:16-20 “Do not be anxious about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.”
PRAY FOR ANDREW’S RELEASE:
Revelation 3:7 “The words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open.”
Psalm 146 “[The Lord] executes justice for the oppressed… The Lord sets the prisoners free, the Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are bowed down; the Lord loves the righteous.”
PRAY FOR THE ADVANCE OF THE GOSPEL:
Isaiah 60:2-3 (Pray with respect to Jesus’ word that His people are the light of the world, Matthew 5:14) “Darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”
A PRAYER FOR ANDREW
Gracious Father, Lord of the nations,
You are the only wise and good sovereign of our times.
We praise you for Your greatness and mercy.
While we have not yet seen the answer to our prayers for Andrew’s release,
we trust You still, that You are at work in ways beyond what we can see or understand.
You have invited us to come boldly into Your presence,
and so we come before Your throne of grace
asking that out of Your glorious riches You would strengthen Andrew
with power through Your Spirit, so Christ may dwell in his heart by faith.
Root and establish him in love that he may grasp
how wide and long and high and deep the love of Christ is for him.
Let Your Word be a spring of living hope,
the presence of Jesus an oasis of joy, and the power of the Holy Spirit
Andrew’s constant source of wisdom and comfort.
Strengthen Andrew in body and mind.
Expose and confuse all the lies that stand against him.
Break the power of evil and cause truth to prevail.
Let accusers become advocates.
Set our brother free.
Cause your gospel to spread widely.
Grant endurance and comfort to his family.
Glorify the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom we pray.
Amen.