It’s understandable as we pray for our beloved New England. There is a tendency for us to look at the sin and hardness and not include ourselves but is that what intercessors do?
Take a quick look at two powerful intercessors that changed history.
In Nehemiah 1 and Daniel 9, both model a powerful principle of intercessory prayer: identification with the people being prayed for. Here are several key lessons and applications we can glean for intercessory prayer specifically targeting New England:
1. Identification with the Region’s Spiritual Condition
Biblical Example: Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:6-7) and Daniel (Daniel 9:5-6) both intentionally identify with the sins of their people—even though they personally lived righteously.
Lesson for New England: Intercessors should acknowledge the spiritual condition of New England as their own. Rather than praying from a detached or judgmental posture, true intercession involves humbly placing ourselves alongside those we pray for, accepting corporate responsibility.
2. Humility and Repentance
Biblical Example: Both Nehemiah and Daniel openly confessed collective failures before God, acknowledging deep-rooted spiritual brokenness.
Lesson for New England: Effective prayer for revival in New England must begin with genuine humility and repentance—personally and corporately. Revival comes not from pointing out sins from afar, but from standing in solidarity and sincerely repenting.
3. Compassionate Burden for the People
Biblical Example: Nehemiah wept, mourned, and fasted (Nehemiah 1:4). Daniel wore sackcloth and ashes, deeply grieved by Israel’s spiritual state (Daniel 9:3).
Lesson for New England: Prayer for the region must come from a deep, compassionate burden. Prayers that truly move the heart of God are birthed from genuine grief over lostness, injustice, spiritual indifference, and the rejection of Christ.
4. Appealing to God’s Covenant and Mercy
Biblical Example: Daniel and Nehemiah both pleaded with God based on His character—His promises, mercy, and faithfulness to forgive and restore (Nehemiah 1:8-9; Daniel 9:18-19).
Lesson for New England: Intercession should be rooted in confidence in God’s character, not merely human effort. Remind God of His promises and covenantal faithfulness, appealing to His mercy and grace rather than our own righteousness.
5. Personal Commitment to Action
Biblical Example: Nehemiah didn’t stop at praying; his prayer led to courageous action. Daniel’s prayers also were deeply connected to God’s prophetic purposes and his own obedience.
Lesson for New England: Genuine intercession leads naturally toward obedience and action. Pray with willingness to become part of God’s solution—to go, serve, speak truth, build relationships, and act sacrificially for the spiritual revival of New England.
Practical Application Points:
We must include ourselves in repentance prayers, recognizing your identification with the spiritual challenges faced by our region.
Express authentic humility, confessing the sins and shortcomings of New England churches, communities, and historical patterns openly.
Cultivate deep empathy and compassion in prayer, praying with heartfelt emotion, fasting, and mourning when necessary.
Appeal confidently to God’s faithfulness, citing His promises for renewal and revival.
Be ready to act—allow intercession to fuel practical, courageous, and sacrificial steps to see revival and transformation in New England.
By adopting this powerful biblical posture of identifying with the spiritual state of New England, your intercessory prayers become authentic, heartfelt, and aligned with the transformative heart of God.
