Suggested Prayer Points for 2024

Worldwide Day of Prayer and Fasting for North Korea

April 28, 2024

Opening Prayer

Risen and Mighty Lord Jesus! We come to the throne of Father God in your Name, trusting in your Presence with us. O Lord, the people of North Korea are enduring unimaginable suffering. By your instructive Presence, tell us how we should pray for them. Make the purpose of our petitions be only for your glory. We love you, we praise you, we continue to trust you for answers to our petitions. Amen.

Praising God (from Psalm 107)

Mighty and Eternal Father God, you are worthy of all our praise.  You satisfy the thirsty. You fill the hungry with good things.  You save us from our distress.  You bring us out of darkness and deepest gloom.  You break our chains.  You break down gates of bronze.  You cut through bars of iron.  You send forth your Word and you heal us.  You rescue us from the grave.  You still the storm to a whisper.  You hush the waves of the sea and you guide us to our desired haven. You turn the desert into pools of water.  You turn parched ground into flowing springs. You bring the hungry to a place to live.  You bless us.  You lift us out of our affliction.  You increase our families like flocks.  The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.  You alone are God.  You alone are Lord.  Praise be to Jesus, our Rock!  Amen!  

Confession

Lord Holy Spirit, reveal to us sins that may block our prayers like hatred, prejudice, judging, unforgiveness, gossip, anger, impatience, laziness, grudges, discounting others, or bearing burdens that are yours to bear. Help us to agree with you when we are guilty of these sins that grieve you, and give us grace to accept your forgiveness. Thank you that we are washed in the cleansing blood of the Lamb.  Amen!

The Binding of Satan

Almighty God, by our intercessions we battle against the spiritual forces of evil in North Korea.  Holy Father, in your Son’s Name, by the power of your Holy Spirit, under the Cross, we bind and nullify any satanic activity against those for whom we pray or against us.  Protect us under the shed blood of Jesus Christ.  We send any evil spirits or curses to Jesus to deal with them as He will.  We welcome you, Holy Spirit, and declare our reliance on you to guide and anoint our prayers. In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Displacing the Influence of Destructive Spirits With God’s Word

Our prayers are the weapons God gives us to wage war against spiritual entities that fuel the enemy’s ability to infect our attitudes and malign relationships during this time of physical and social upheaval.  Just as we pray about practical needs of the North Koreans, we need to pray strategically to dismantle the underlying spirits that seek to erect strongholds around minds and hearts.   Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 are very clear on this point: 

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against                                          the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against                                       the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

Five spiritual strongholds we believe the enemy is using as fuel to infect the country of North Korea are fear, deception, confusion, sickness, and poverty; all of which can be displaced by the truth of God’s Word through our intercessions according to God’s will and the power of the Holy Spirit.  

Therefore, let us pray for the Lord to rebuke and dismantle those forces of evil by loosing the power inherent in His Word into North Korea.  

Using the below outline and scriptures as a guide, pray for the Lord to rebuke and dismantle the spirit of____ and displace it with ____________________.                                                                                     

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Adapted from Intercessors for America 

Praying for Open Hearts, Open Minds and Open Borders

• Open Hearts  Gracious Lord, your love for the people of North Korea is so very great, so we come before you asking that your love be made known to them.  We come to you asking that the truth of your Word would be so powerful as to give new life to those who are sincerely seeking you. Also, Lord, open the hearts of people around the world to care about the plight of North Koreans, that more would faithfully pray for them and even put their prayers into action, as you guide them.  Thank you for those advocates who are fighting for the human rights of North Koreans.  Grant them favor with those who are in positions of influence and authority, that the work of these advocates would not be without fruit. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8) “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19)

• Open Minds  Holy Spirit, you are the great Instructor, Counselor and Guide who gives wisdom and knowledge to the thoughts and purposes of mankind.  Open the minds of the North Koreans to be receptive to truth, your Truth as well as truth about the world. We are so thankful that you have provided ways and means to deliver your Word to the North Koreans, and we ask for more, Lord!  Please continue to bless the work of your believers to get the Gospel and knowledge about the outside world into North Korea: through smuggled Bibles, radio broadcasts, USB drives, helium balloon launches and all other creative means.  Please continue to protect the sending and the receipt of these messages.  Please bless those who are working in this area, protect them and give them a desire to transmit only content that is true, encouraging, helpful and good. Keep out what might be harmful, deceptive or confusing so that what is received will be only what will give them right understanding of your Truth and truth about life in other countries.  We pray the North Korean people will have dreams and visions about Jesus and his death on a cross for them.  Above all, give them knowledge of the One True God, Jesus Christ, who died for them so that they can have eternal life.  “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17)  “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” (Matthew 22:37)  “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

• Open Borders  Heavenly Father, North Korea is a country that is so closed off to the rest of the world by the governing powers. Movement of people into and out of the country is closely monitored by police. The government constantly attempts to control the people, as well as aid that is targeted to meet the needs of the people.  We pray to you, Father God, that you will give success to those persons and organizations who provide food and other necessities which are intended for the needy, that those truly in need will receive the aid.  Lord, please subvert the plans of those who illegitimately try to take what is not meant for them.  “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” (Psalm 33:18-19) “You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.” (Psalm 35:10) “. . . for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” (Psalm 107:9) “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked, for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous.” (Psalm 37:16-17)

Praying for Preservation of Families

• Creator of all that lives, you established and instituted the family unit. We are grieved by the many ways in which the families in North Korea have been pulled apart by the 38^th Parallel/DMZ established in 1945; by imprisonment; and/or having to escape North Korea as a refugee; and by the continued Kim regime’s philosophy and its destructive application upon the family unit. Family members are pitted against one another through distrustful attitudes and are required to spy on one another and report actions or beliefs that are contrary to the rules of the regime. Who but you, O God, can save them and reunite them? “May God arise, may his enemies be scattered, may his foes flee before him.” (Psalm 68:1)

• Lord Jesus, in you we have fellowship with the Father and with one another. We ask that family members that have been separated would be brought back together; that you would make a way for them to be a family once again. Unite children with their parents. Place a flame of hope within them that will not be put out. We have heard testimonies of families being united after long separations, and we thank you and praise you for this blessing. We ask for more, Lord!  “We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (1 John 1:3) “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Colossians 2:2-3) 

• How can husbands and wives know how to love each other and their children in Truth if they are not shown the way? Do not leave the country void of your Word! Look upon each and every family with mercy. Don’t let them feel abandoned. As the heavens declare your glory to them, cause their hearts to look for you. Tell them that there is a Heavenly Father who sees their suffering. Tell them, Father God, of your real and great love for them. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” (Psalm 19:1-3) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

• Send forth your Word and by the protection and power of your Holy Spirit, let your Word be heard, let the people taste and see that your Word is good! “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8)  “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)

Praying for Orphans

• Heavenly Father, your Word tells us that pure and genuine religion in your sight means caring for orphans in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt us (James 1:27). We proclaim justice to operate for each North Korean orphan.  Lord, please help us to uphold the rights of the oppressed and  destitute children. Holy Spirit, touch our hearts to know how you want us to participate in the great work of caring for these children.  We thank you for the missionaries in China who have rescued so many orphans out of North Korea.  We bless them in the Name of Jesus.  The risks they take are many. Mighty Jesus, be their protector.  Pour out your grace and blessing on these missionaries and on the children they care for. We pray that your Word will be taught with understanding and with grace to these children, through the power of the Holy Spirit. “But you, O God, do see trouble and grief, you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.” (Psalm 10:14-15)

• Oh Lord, we have learned that many North Korean orphans rescued by missionaries in China have entered the childcare system in South Korea, and have become captive to the world’s culture and have forgotten you. We are trusting in your promise: “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) Please keep your Fatherly hand upon each one. Please maintain and strengthen their faith.  Cause the seeds of your Truth that have been planted in them to bring them back to you.  We ask you, Holy Spirit, to move in the hearts and wills of the people of South Korea and other countries to welcome an orphan into their lives and homes.  Awaken a Spirit of adoption within them.  Fill their hearts with compassion for these orphaned children.  “And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:5) “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 10:17-19)

• Righteous Father, please forgive those who have doubted your Word because of fear, confusion and anxieties. Holy Spirit, help orphans not to yield to temptation but deliver them from the evil one.  By your wise and wonderful ways Father God, connect them with true believers in Jesus.  “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” (Psalm 36:5) “Your word, O Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures.” (Psalm 119:89-90)

Praying for Refugees 

• Heavenly Father, thank you for the North Koreans who have successfully escaped from North Korea. Many are now resettled in other countries, and we thank you for your care of them.  We pray especially for those now living in South Korea.  They are discouraged by the position historically taken by the ROK government regarding North Korea.  So Father God, we pray against any stifling of freedom of speech and stifling of freedom of religion in South Korea.  We pray against threats and intimidation coming against defectors.  We pray defectors around the world will have a platform and greater audience to share their stories and to increase awareness of the suffering and injustice in North Korea.  We ask that you, Lord God, would encourage the refugees and defectors – especially the leaders in these communities -- to place their hope and their trust totally in you; that they would be reminded of your Word, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

• Almighty Father, under the shed blood of Jesus Christ, we come against any spirit of bitterness and unforgiveness taking hold in North Korea, and we pray an anointing of Holy Spirit power to the refugees to forgive those who have committed injustices and crimes against them and their families. Pour out your grace upon them to be able to forgive also those who they feel have not helped them enough or not at all.  “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45) “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)

• Thank you Lord! For Free North Korea Radio and for the messages of encouragement and hope that are going out to the people of North Korea.  Please continue to send them, Lord.  Inspire those who provide these messages to be bold in proclaiming the truth, love and freedom in you that the North Korean people so desperately need to hear.  “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish . . . so is my word that goes out from my mouth: it will not return to me empty.” (Isaiah 55:10-11)  “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

• Give your Holy Spirit guidance to those who are thinking about escaping from North Korea.  For those who attempt to escape, we pray for divine appointments with Christian believers along the way.  We pray the believers they come in contact with will depend on you and your guidance and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Protect their long and dangerous journeys. Lord Jesus, many as yet do not know you, but you know their hearts.  You know those who will respond to your great love.  Make a way for them to not only find their way out of North Korea, but to find their way to you.  “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

• Lord Jesus, blind the eyes of security guards and others who want to seek out and destroy escapees from North Korea.  Don’t let them be successful in carrying out their mission of enslavement, imprisonment, physical harm and death.  Instead, by mighty signs and wonders, let those who seek freedom find the way that you lay out for them.  Dismantle the close cooperation between the Chinese and the North Korean security forces.  “The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.” (Psalm 33:10)

• Cause the Chinese who are involved in the repatriation process to have a deep sense of shame and guilt.  Change hearts of stone to hearts of compassion.  “I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 11:19) “They will say of me, ‘In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength.’ All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.” (Isaiah 45:24)

• Heavenly Father, North Korea is truly a deeply dark world.  You alone can bring these precious people out of the darkness there and into the light of your Kingdom.  We ask you to do this in the mighty power of your Holy Spirit.  “In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.” (John 1:4-5)  “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)  

• Heavenly Father, put your followers of Jesus in the path of refugees.  Give grace to your people in China, South Korea, the United States and other countries to care for refugees that you bring to them. Don’t let them be weary in doing good for refugees.  Keep building them up in faith. Only by the presence of your mighty Holy Spirit can they remain faithful to you and to the work to which you have called them.  “What answer shall be given to the envoys of that nation? ’The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge’.” (Isaiah 14:32) “Give us counsel, render a decision. Make your shadow like night—at high noon.  Hide the fugitives, do not betray the refugees."” (Isaiah 16:3)

• Oh, Father God, how many children in North Korea suffer unimaginable heartbreak, hunger, physical, and mental pain at what they experience of life.  Be, in reality, their loving Father.  We think of refugee children and the fear they carry within them.  Oh Lord, miraculously deliver them.  Powerfully protect them.  Wonderfully love them.  “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.  Teach me your way, O Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.” (Psalm 27:10-11)

• Heavenly Father, we want to pray a prayer of blessing over third-country born individuals resettled in South Korea or hiding in China—children born out of sex trafficking or forced marriage between a North Korean woman and a Chinese man.  These children are often “stateless” and hidden in China, and furthermore often not eligible beneficiaries of support in South Korea as other North Korean-born individuals are.  May the needs and deep wounds of this marginalized community be met and may organizations that care for them be blessed to continue their support.  We pray for policy change in South Korea so these individuals will be recognized and receive support.  We pray for the Father heart of God to bring deep healing to their sense of identity, security, and belonging. “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him, for you were aliens in Egypt.” (Ex. 22:21)

• Thank you Lord, that you are a sanctuary for the North Koreans in countries where they have gone.  Lord, some of them are deeply discouraged. Visit them with signs and wonders of your love and power. Give them rest.  Let them hear about the new life in you that you are wanting to give them.   Oh Holy Spirit of the Living God, restore, revive and heal the refugees.  Replace their fears and the injuries done to them with a spirit of praise, love, joy and freedom in you.  “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all  your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:2-5)  “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

• Wake up your Church, oh God, to truly be your people.  Bring those of us who live in free countries to use our freedom to work for the freedom of those who are enslaved by the enemy, Satan.  Jesus, you are the Victor!  Bring your victory to be a reality to the North Korean refugees.  “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” (Matthew 5:13) “When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’” (1 Corinthians 15:5) 

• Father God, give the defectors and refugees a story of redemption to tell.  Let them give thanks to you wherever they are.  Let them deeply experience your goodness and give praise to you – unbridled praise.  Bring them to a place where they can settle and thrive on the foundation of rock which is you, Lord Jesus. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)  “So this is what the sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.” (Isaiah 28:16)

Praying for Kim Jong Un

• We implore you, oh God!  Do not permit Kim Jong Un and his regime to use nuclear weapons against any nation or people.  Father God, you alone are Lord.  You alone can prevent destruction and devastation. Hear our cry for mercy.  Intervene, mighty God.  You have created us in your own image.  Save us for your Name’s sake.  “The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.” (Isaiah 52:10)  “He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.” (Psalm 46:9)

• Cause Kim Jong Un to lose his power over the minds of the North Korean people.  Liberate the people  from such psychological bondage.  Please use your Word to bring the message of salvation and deliverance to the leaders and people of North Korea.  “Now, O Lord our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O Lord, are God.” (Isaiah 37:20)

• We ask that even Kim Jong Un would be saved from the power of Satan. You alone have the power to liberate anyone from bondage.  In Jesus’s name, we bind and break the power of the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms over Kim Jong Un.  We release him to experience the love of Jesus and to know and receive Jesus as his personal Savior. We pray for dreams and visions of Jesus dying on a cross for him.  “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

• We pray Kim Jong Un would be of sober mind and feel his need for you.  Remove the dulling influences of temporary, worldly pleasures.  We pray he would feel and admit his brokenness—his pain, his wounds, his loneliness, fear, depression, and the meaninglessness of his life.  “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” (Eccl. 1:14)

• We pray he would realize he has no one else to turn to besides you, that you alone can give him new life.  We pray he would know his Creator in heaven and realize he will answer to you one day—that he will stand before you in judgement one day.  We pray he would come before you with a broken spirit and a contrite heart—that he would recognize and confess his many sins and repent before you, the One True Living God.  “. . . a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17) 

• We pray the same over Kim Jong Un’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae, either of whom may be targeted to succeed Kim Jong Un. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

• If Kim Jong Un will not repent, we pray you would remove him from leadership over North Korea and bring to an end the Juche religion and any dictatorial government in North Korea. “This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions.” (Psalm 49:13-14)

Praying for the People

• Almighty Father, the people of North Korea have been the targets of grave injustices, mistreatments, and deceptions done to them by those in power for over 70 years. For most, it is humanly impossible to even think of forgiving those who have brought such enormous suffering. So we come before you asking that when anyone experiences your love and forgiveness of sin, they too will have Holy Spirit power to forgive those who have sinned against them.  “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15) “I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20)

• O glorious and heavenly Father, reveal yourself to members of the regime, that they would use their position and influence for your glory and no longer for the glory of Kim Jong Un.  Reveal your power to the governing leaders of North Korea.  Please bring conviction upon and a spirit of repentance to these leaders.  Give them courage to join together and take a stand against Kim Jong Un. “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.” (Isaiah 42:8)  “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God and there is no other.” (Isaiah 45:22)  

• Raise up new leaders with the fear of God in their hearts and love for their people. Give them to know that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; that all who follow your precepts have good understanding.  “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.” (Proverbs 3:7) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)

• Lord Jesus, we pray to you for a future leadership in North Korea that will take a strong stand in recognition of the need for confession of guilt, repentance and reconciliation for the regime’s many crimes against its people.  Lord, give the North Koreans a future and a hope that is founded on the knowledge of you and that will lead them to confession of sins, past and present.  “. . . to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.”  (Acts 26:18)

• We boldly ask that you, Father God, will literally give the people their daily bread, and that even those in the remotest parts of the country will have sufficient access to food as well as coal for heat during winter.  That you will bless their efforts at starting businesses so that they can provide for themselves and not depend on the government. We pray for the preservation of the Jangmadang market system developed by the courage and perseverance of North Korean women to provide for their families. We ask you to protect this lifeline for all those who are struggling to survive, and allow the flow of outside information to open hearts and minds to your Truth. We ask that you also protect the entrepreneurs from the spirit of mammon, and enable them to resist the temptation to place their sense of value and trust in money and material wealth.

• We also pray for protection against Covid-19 and other dangerous viruses and that effective remedies would be available for everyone.  Lord we praise you because you are already moving to meet the needs of the North Koreans.  Strengthen them and help them provide for themselves and their families, and bring them to the knowledge of you as their Great Provider.  “He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.” (Luke 1:53)

• Please provide food for the many street children.  Cause even the authorities to allow food to be given to these children.  Most Good Heavenly Father, may these children experience food provided by you in miraculous ways.  “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving them food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:18)

Praying for Those in Prisons and Labor Camps

• Most merciful Father, you see and you know the hundreds of thousands of North Koreans who are currently being detained and tortured in prison camps. Open your ears to their cries for help. In your great compassion deliver them. “May the groans of the prisoners come before you; by the strength of your arm preserve those condemned to die.” (Psalm 79:11)  “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord: The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death.” (Psalm 102:18-20)

• Cause prison administrators and guards to have compassion on the prisoners.  In your great love and mercy, bring an end to the torture, beatings, rape, forced abortions, and other cruel treatment.  Lord, may the power of your Spirit cause your own persecuted ones to be a powerful witness of your love and forgiveness to their persecutors.  “Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of evil and cruel men.” (Psalm 71:4) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10) “Therefore among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.” (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

• Cause the doctors in these prisons and camps to recognize the evil of using prisoners for chemical and biological weapons experiments.  Bring such remorse, fear and shame into their souls as to make them stop these practices. “Let my persecutors be put to shame, but keep me from shame; let them be terrified, but keep me from terror. Bring on them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction.” (Jeremiah 17:18) “Vindicate me, O God, and plead my cause against an ungodly nation; rescue me from deceitful and wicked men.” (Psalm 43:1)  “Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:4)

• We pray for physical, psychological and spiritual healing for those who have suffered and are currently suffering in the camps.  You, dear Lord, are the Great Physician.  Have mercy on those who suffer so harshly in the prisons of North Korea. Minister to them by your beautiful Presence.  Heal their injuries, wounds and sicknesses, and by these miracles, be glorified! “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Luke 4:18-19) “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5)

• Lord Jesus, people are starving in the camps.  Will you please miraculously give them daily bread. Nourish them with healthy and good physical food, and sustain them by your power. Nothing is impossible with you.  “You gave your good Spirit to instruct them.  You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.” (Nehemiah 9:20)

• Oh God, the prisoners are forced to perform incredibly hard labor.  We ask you to give them strength and stamina.  Heavenly Lord and Father, be their refuge and strength, an ever-present help in their trouble.  “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” (Isaiah 40:29)  “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

• We pray for the protection of women prisoners from rape, and for healing and restoration for those who have already been sexually assaulted by guards or other inmates. Spread your protection over them, and let them hear the good news of your deep love for them.  “Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise, says the Lord.  I will protect them from those who malign them.” (Psalm 12:5)

• Lord, let the prisoners feel your Presence in the midst of such injustice.  Make your Presence be deeply known to them.  Though their bodies are physically weak, may they be spiritually strong; may they be all the more sensitive to you.  Bring to mind words from your Scriptures; may your Word sustain them daily.  Give them courage to cry out to you, for when they do, you will hear.  Praise be to you, Lord Jesus.  “For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.” (Psalm 9:12) “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-12) “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

• We ask that imprisoned North Korean Christians will be able to bring the love and light of Jesus Christ into these dark prisons.  Holy Lord, make your people a beautiful light in the midst of the terrible darkness.  We pray that your believers can demonstrate and point to your power and love through miracles, signs and wonders.  We pray as a result of the believers’ witness, revival will break out in the prison camps. “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as  you hold out the word of life—” (Philippians 2:14-15)

• Bring greater awareness of these prisons and labor camps to spread throughout the free world so that enough international pressure will be generated to shut these prisons down.  Lord, make known among the nations, and especially in your Church throughout the world, the persecution that North Koreans are suffering.  Put your Holy Spirit pressure on leaders of nations to speak out and do what they can to denounce this terrible treatment of people.  “He has shown you, O man, what is good.  And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

Praying Concerning Religion and Associated Penalties

• Glorious and Mighty Father, we pray for religious freedom for all North Koreans. Bring the rule of the current regime to an end.  Establish a new government in North Korea that will ensure religious freedom for all.  “Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.  Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.”  (Psalm 111:2-3)

• We ask that the regime will consistently fail in their attempts to stifle Christianity and to destroy the spirit and freedom of the people.  Lord, grow your Church in North Korea.  Cause all North Koreans to know how greatly they need a Savior.  When they cry out to you, be quick to hear and deliver them.  “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:40-41)

• Almighty Savior, we ask you to break down the Juche ideology and its dominion over the North Korean people.  In Jesus’s name, we break the spirit of idol worship in North Korea.  We pray the Kim family will not be worshipped but Jesus alone will be worshipped.  We pray especially for the children – that you will extend your shield of mercy around them to protect their minds and hearts from growing cold under such rigid, deceitful indoctrination.  Lord Jesus, let the little children hear about you and your love for them.  May they be exposed to your Word in a powerful way.  Take hold of their hearts and minds so that they never forget you or your Truth.  “When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.’” (Mark 10:14)  “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28)

• We ask that the Gospel will be able to penetrate every part of the country, and that every North Korean will have the chance to hear and know the truth.  Cause the ears and hearts of your universal Church to be opened to the plight of North Koreans and seek to know how we can help them.  We pray especially that believers in South Korea will be convicted to pray for North Korea—that the dawn early morning prayer services will be filled with intercession for North Korea.  We pray the pastors in South Korea will lead this charge.  Lord, give aid and victory to those who are boldly bringing your Word to the North Koreans.  We thank you for these courageous believers who risk their lives to bring your message of salvation to the lost.  “Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.” (Revelation 3:2)

• We praise you for the great revival that broke out in Pyongyang in 1907.  We praise you for the Holy Spirit conviction that fell and the men who took turns confessing out loud their sins.  We pray that you would bring revival once again to North Korea.  We pray that once again, men and women would come to you in Godly sorrow, weeping and prayer.  “. . .yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:9-10)

• By the power of your Holy Spirit, give grace for perseverance and boldness of North Korean believers to share their faith and strengthen others around them.  Lord God Holy Spirit, we praise you for taking hold of these our brothers and sisters who risk all to share the Good News with others.  Bless them, shield them, and continue to embolden them to bring the Way, the Truth, and the Life to those who are in darkness.  “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.” (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2)

• Heavenly Father, draw near to the persecuted, sustaining your followers and calling all others to a relationship with you.  Lord, may your promise to never leave them or forsake them cause them to love and serve you as you call them to endure.  Make them powerful beacons of your light and love. “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)  “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

• Lord, you tell us to rejoice in the day of persecution and leap for joy because great is our reward in heaven.  Please give the needed measure of grace and encouragement to your people in North Korea to endure the suffering.  Keep their eyes focused on you and on the promise of eternity in your Kingdom.  “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”  (Matthew 5:11-12)   “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Hebrews 12:2)

Praying for People in Positions of Influence

• We bring before you Lord, those in positions of authority and influence who work for the good of North Korea. We ask that you speak to the President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, and help him to be an instrument of peace on behalf of North Korea. We pray for his salvation, that if he does not yet know you, you would visit him with your life-giving power. Bless him with a vital relationship with you, Lord Jesus. Give him to know your heart, Father God, and lead him to prioritize working to end human rights abuses. Provide godly advisors who will counsel him according to your Word. We also give to you Lee Shin-hwa, South Korea’s Ambassador for North Korea Human Rights, and Julie Turner, U.S. Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues. Lord Holy Spirit, open doors in high places for them. Establish them as representatives for what is truly righteous and good in your eyes. Grant them favor with government officials so they can make real progress in protecting human lives and liberties in North Korea.  “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must  be saved.” (Acts 4:12) “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)  “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:18) “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)  “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14)  “May all kings bow down to Him and all nations serve Him.” (Psalm 72:11)  “I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” (Isaiah 22:22)

Praying an Overall Blessing

Father God, bless the people of North Korea; make your face shine upon them and be gracious to them.  Turn your face toward them and give them peace.  Send forth your Word into their darkness and suffering. Bless those who are insulted for Christ’s name. They will receive the crown of life that you have promised to them.  Remind them, Holy Spirit, of the promises of their Heavenly Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in whose mighty Name we pray.  Amen.  

Leaving our Concerns with God 

Father God, we leave all of those for whom we prayed in your hands. Please magnify our prayers that are in line with your will alone, and declare null and void any that were not. Cut away from us any sadness, sickness, despair, negative thinking, doubt, fear, anger, or evil that we may have experienced.  Let us think about worthy things above, where Christ is seated at your right hand.  Fill us with your Holy Spirit and with your power, light, love, joy, and peace.  In  Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

(Eph. 3:20-21)