VERIFIED & AUTHORIZED
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. … I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”
John 17:9, 20 (NLT)
A passport is an official, government-issued travel document that verifies a person's identity and nationality, allowing international travel, entry into other countries, and re-entry to their home country. It proves you are authorized to go wherever the passport takes you. Now, picture your spiritual passport. Your passport shows your citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20) and confirms your identity as a fellow citizen with the saints and a member of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). You are fully equipped, verified and authorized to pray anywhere God’s Spirit leads.
Start close to home. When you walk in your subdivision, pass a driveway, or watch your neighbors, you can pray for the families who live there. When you visit a school track, you can pray for the teachers, students and godly influence in that community. Your passport allows these prayers to travel—right in your own neighborhood.
Expand outward. On a drive to work, your prayers can cover your company, coworkers, vendors and leadership. When traveling across town or across the state, your prayers can go with you for cities, schools or organizations along the way.
Take it even further. As your travels expand to highways, flights and international trips, your prayers can reach states, countries and leaders—presidents, prime ministers and people you’ll never meet. Your heavenly passport gives you access; you are authorized to pray for the world.
Jesus modeled this for us in John 17, praying not only for His disciples but for all who would come to believe through their message—the Gospel. Every prayer you offer participates in that mission, joining God’s work to bring His love and truth to the world. Your passport is ready. You are qualified and authorized. Wherever God calls your prayers to go—near or far—they carry power, because He hears and moves hearts through them.
APPLICATION: Expand your prayers a little further this week. Let the Holy Spirit guide your prayer life to new and exciting places.
PRAYER: Father, I long to be on mission with You. Give me a desire to journey with You in prayer. Take me out of my comfort zone. Help me follow Your lead. Amen.
"… Our Father in heaven…" Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
• What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
"… may your name be kept holy." Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
• What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
"May your Kingdom come soon." Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
• Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
"Give us today the food we need," Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
• Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I'm around today?
"and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us" Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
• Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
"And don't let us yield to temptation…" Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
• Is there anywhere I'm vulnerable to temptation?