I was very disheartened to read some somber statistics about the state of our sisters around the world. As Christians, we believe that God hears our prayers and in the power of them, especially when we pray in agreement with each other. While October 11 is International Day of the Girl Child, it is vitally important that we, as Proverbs 31 women, lift up our oppressed sisters in prayer every day. Before we get into those eight important prayers for our sisters, however, I want to go over some prayer basics.
Why We Should Pray
God wants to hear from us; He loves us and wants us to spend time with Him. He wants us to seek His face. As with any relationship, communication is key.
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”
– Philippians 4:6 AMP
Another reason that we should pray is because prayer is powerful.
Through prayer, we can overcome the enemy as well as temptations to sin. We can also help our fellow believers and ourselves to be saved, healed, restored, and edified.
See Related: Becoming a Daughter of God
Prayer can even bring about miracles and help us to know what to do when we face impossible situations that we can’t solve on our own.
We can count on God to hear and answer our prayers, even if the answer is no or not now.
“The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord accepts my prayer.”
– Psalm 6:9 ESV
See Related: How to Trust God With Your Love Story
How You Should Pray
There is no need to be formal when you pray; just talk to God like you would to a friend. And be honest; God already knows everything about you, so keep it real. Always begin by acknowledging how amazing God is and all that He has already done for you before asking Him for anything else.
Come boldly before God, knowing that He loves you, wants to hear from you, and wants to bless you. However, also acknowledge that God knows better than you what is best and pray for His will to be done, not yours. Jesus is our perfect example for how to do this when He prayed that He be spared death on the cross. He accepted Our Father’s will to be done, rather than insist on His own (Mark 14:36).
Have faith when you pray that God will answer you (Matthew 21:22), and listen for His response for at least as long as your prayer.
See Related: 7 Ways to Renew Your Mind as a Daughter of God
Where You Should Pray
You should definitely pray in private. The Bible teaches us that we should go into a private room to pray. That does not mean that we have to transform a closet into a war room like in the movie but that would be nice! God promises to reward you when you pray in secret (Matthew 6:6-8).
We can also pray together with others, at our table before eating, next to our bed before we go to sleep, in our car before driving, etc. God wants us to pray continuously, so wherever we are, we should pray.
See Related: 4 Ways to Share Your Faith With Christian Home Decor
When You Should Pray
We should pray all the time and on every occasion (Ephesians 6:18). That means we need to make prayer a lifestyle; we show our faith and commitment by praying unceasingly (Luke 18:1-8).
“Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
– Ephesians 6:18 NLT
See Related: A Guide to Living the Virtuous Life
When we pray, we should remember ABCD to overcome our daily battles:
A-Authority: Remember that we have authority from Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6-9).
B-Blessing: Remember we have every spiritual blessing available to us (Ephesians 1:3).
C-Common Sense: God has made wisdom available to those of us who ask (James 1:5).
D-Discernment: The Holy Spirit helps us to discern what to pray and when (Romans 8:26).
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”
– Romans 12:12 ESV
Check out this devotion more information on ABCD and other Prayer Basics.
What You Should Pray
Tell God what you need and want even though He already knows.
This is acknowledging Him in all your ways (see Proverbs 3:5-6). It shows that you depend on Him.
Are the things that you are asking God for in line with His will? Do you have scriptures to stand on? If so, pray the Word to God. If not, line up your will with God’s will first; make His wants your wants. Pray for God’s promises to be fulfilled in your life.
See Related: How to Have the Wisdom of the Proverbs 31 Woman
“Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and relieved me when I was in distress; Be gracious to me and hear [and respond to] my prayer.”
– Psalms 4:1 AMP
For those of us who delight in Him, God has even promised to give us the secret petitions of our hearts (Psalm 37:4), and to do far above what we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!
Who We Should Pray For
There is so much to pray for all of the time: our enemies; each other; our families; for health, safety, restoration, prosperity; for our leaders. As Proverbs 31 Women, our concern is on our neighbors and loving them as ourselves. The pandemic has made conditions worse for women and girls worldwide. Let us, therefore, join World Vision in praying for women and girls everywhere to live the abundant lives God intends for all of us:
“And the King will reply to them, Truly I tell you, in so far as you did it for one of the least [in the estimation of men] of these My brethren, you did it for Me. [Prov. 19:17.]”
– Jesus (Matthew 25:40 AMPC)
1 – Pray for the safety of unborn and infant girls
In cultures where there is a preference for sons, pray that unborn and infant girls will not be terminated, neglected, abandoned, or killed.
2 – Ask God to protect girls from people who see them as less valuable.
Girls are less likely to be sent to school, and may be the last to receive food or medical care. This is not what God wants for His daughters; He has good plans for us that do not harm us but that gives us hope and a future.
“For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.”
– Psalms 139:13-14 AMP
See Related: Appreciating Your Own Beauty
3 – Pray for educational opportunities for girls.
Girls living in poverty are more likely to drop out of school if they are not provided with opportunities to learn life skills that will help them reach their potential or even believe that they can.
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.”
– Proverbs 3:13-14 NLT
See Related: Developing Inner Beauty
4 – Pray for efforts to prevent child marriage.
The lack of economic opportunities results in some families forcing girls into marriages, and some girls to marry as children on their own. There are currently nearly 650 million girls and women who were married before their 18th birthday. Due to Covid-19 disruptions in efforts to prevent child marriage, this statistic is expected to grow by another 13 million over the next 10 years.
See Related: Attributes of a Proverbs 31 Family
5 – Pray for economic opportunities for women and girls living in poverty.
There are an estimated 163 million living in extreme poverty. Girls living in poverty are vulnerable to exploitation. Pray for women and girls to have the opportunity to learn how to start small businesses as well as the confidence to dream and pursue those dreams.
“Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,”
– Colossians 3:23 AMP
See Related: Inspiration for Starting Your Own Proverbs 31 Business
6 – Pray for girls and women affected by female genital mutilation (FGM).
Approximately 200 million girls and in 31 countries are victims of female genital mutilation (FGM). This number is estimated to grow by another 2 million over the next decade due to disruption in prevention programs caused by Covid-19. Pray that education and empowerment efforts will put a stop to FGM.
“So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.”
– Genesis 1:27 AMP
See Related: 15 Ways to Clothe Yourself in Kindness
7 – Pray for access to clean, safe drinking water.
Girls and women must often walk hours every day in many cultures to collect water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Time on this task prevents girls from attending school and mothers from spending time with their children or earning an income.
“They will not hunger or thirst, Nor will the scorching heat or sun strike them down; For He who has compassion on them will lead them, And He will guide them to springs of water.”
– Isaiah 49:10 AMP
See Related: Ways to Bless Your Community
8 – Pray for girls trapped in sexual exploitation and forced labor.
There are currently 120 million girls and women under the age of 20 who have been forced into some form of sexual contact. Pray for governments and organizations to be able to rescue and rehabilitate victims, and identify and prosecute traffickers.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.”
– Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT
To read their heartfelt prayers for our sisters around the world and to learn more about their efforts to help the less privileged, please see the World Vision article Matthew 25: Pray for Women and Girls.
Until next time…
Blessings, sisters! 🙏🏽💖
I add my published posts to the following link-up:
PIN IT!
Thank you for this wonderfully practical post, Robyn! Oh, the power of prayer! 🙌🏻
You are most welcome, and Amen, glory to God!!! 💕😊🙌🏽
So important to both pray and listen, I pray girls and women, anyone will hear Him even in places there is no way for them to hear the gospel.
Amen, me too! 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
I appreciate you sharing these “highlighted needs” of our sisters living in other parts of the world, Robyn.
Thank you so much, Lisa. 🥰🙏🏽