From a field worker in Austronesia: “Yanti called, desperate to line up a second DMM training. She described renewed enthusiasm and attested that this is the only method that really works in her region. We had trained other partners from the same region and when I (*Melissa) mentioned them, she described an ugly falling-out. This is a perfect scenario to pray Kingdom opposites over the work that was begun. God’s Kingdom is full of unity and peace (Ephesians 2:14, 4:3). Instead of division, I pray unity and peace over the situation, so that His glory will be showcased through these followers of Christ: “The glory You have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me and loved them even as You loved me” John 17:22,23.
As illustrated above, praying Kingdom opposites means asking God to bring His Kingdom-sized future into being. Our prayers of faith are based on God’s promises, specifically those in direct opposition to troubling things presently happening. God has already declared His intentions through His promises. When we align our prayers with His declared intent, He will answer. Our lives will be changed from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18). As we wait on Him in prayer, we will see what else He will accomplish. Because, as God speaks, all opposition to His anointed King will fail. King David knew this when he penned Psalm 2 and Psalm 24:7-10. As we become aware of hindrances to the advance of God’s Kingdom, may we ask all the more for His Kingdom to come, and His will to be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). May we usher in the King of Glory as His Kingdom reigns in and through our lives and our prayers.
A Few More Examples of Kingdom Opposites
• Confusion: Peace. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” 1 Cor 14:33.
• Hard hearts: Receptivity. Pray that Gospel seeds will fall on hearts prepared to receive it. Matt 13:8
• Despair: Hope. “Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him, shall not be disappointed.” I Pet 2:6.
• Weakness: Strength. “The joy of the Lord is my strength” Neh 8:10b.
• Rejection: Acceptance. “for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” I Pet 2:10.
• False religion: One Way. “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:3-5.
• Mental fog: Clarity. “Gird your mind for action, sober in spirit, fixed hope on God’s grace” 1 Pet 1:13.
• Frustration in language learning: God’s provision. “The Lord has given me the tongue of disciples and He awakens my ear to listen” Isaiah 50:4,5.
• Darkness: Light. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” John 8:12.
• Destruction: Life. “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” John 6:33.
• Deception and lies: Truth. “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” John 8:31b-32.
• Fear: Love. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Tim 1:7.
• Unbelief and Doubt: Faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Heb 11:1.
• Weariness: Rest. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matt 11:28
*pseudonyms