Prayer As Petition

Campaigning and prayer have previously been pursued by two very different groups and SPEAK is seeking to bring the two together. Prayer for others is sometimes described as petitioning, because essentially we are asking God for things. SPEAK is therefore petitioning God and people at the same time.

Mind the Gap

In the Bible social injustice and prayer are very closely linked. In Ezekiel God was so offended by people oppressing the poor and the needy and denying rights to refugees that he looked for someone to "stand in the gap" and pray for forgiveness of the land. God's offence had created a distance between God and the people.

"The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none." Ezekiel 22 v29-30

It is therefore important that much of our prayer is directed towards seeking forgiveness on behalf of nations and institutions that have allowed injustices to take place. It is likely that the abuse of the position of the richer nations in a system of unfair trade and an unfair economic system, which oppresses the poor, has aroused God's displeasure. In effect when we are asking for forgiveness we are standing in the gap as a go-between, which is what the word intercessor means.

The prophets in the Bible spent most of their time challenging national injustice and national sins. Sin blinds, so we need to pray that the eyes of decision-makers will be opened. Dealing with things that are wrong is not just about dealing with things in our own personal lives but things that are wrong in our societies and our world, using our voice to challenge injustice. The involvement of a nation in perpetuating injustices will hold a nation back spiritually and have far-reaching consequences.

People need to see the power of a group of people who are unified in prayer. The power of prayer is real and not only affects our lives but also has an impact into the huge amount of needless human suffering which takes place in the world. The most frequently asked question by people questioning God's existence is "Why is there so much suffering in the world?" As God's representatives our actions should be confronting this suffering in a strategic way, our minds should be striving after the truth of what is really happening. When we are praying and taking action in a unified way amazing and powerful things are going to happen, and have already happened. These things show something of God's heart for people and reveal something of what God is like. When people see a clearer picture of what God is like through our lives and actions it is easier for them to respond to God's love.