In scripture we read often of “high places” as being a site of pagan or idol worship. Not all high places were dedicated to idol worship. They played a major role in Israelite worship, and the earliest biblical mention of a site of worship, later called a “high place,” is found in Genesis 12:6–8 where Abram built altars to the Lord at Shechem and Hebron. Abraham built an altar in the region of Moriah and was willing to sacrifice his son there (Genesis 22:1–2). This site is traditionally believed to be the same high place where the temple of Jerusalem was built. Jacob set up a stone pillar to the Lord at Bethel (Genesis 28:18–19), and Moses met God on Mt. Sinai (Exodus 19:1–3).
So I determined to go to the high places and pray for the city of Silay and Bacolod, for Joyland, and for my family in Mt Barker and Strathalbyn.
Heading off from my Hotel I rode again into the hills to find the high places. The ride up the mountain was super enjoyable. Riding through cane fields and then up through small villages along the mountain path. Sadly, I wasn’t able to get to the top as a local said the track beyond the last village was very rough. I felt I had put my little scooter through enough for one day so road back down a small way to an opening I could look out to the north and north west.
I got off my bike near a clearing and declared to the Lord:
BLESSING
WISDOM
PROSPERITY
UNITY
God wants to BLESS this City
You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops. You crown the year with your bounty and your carts overflow with abundance.” Psalm 65:9-11 “Father, we thank you for your grace and goodness. May your face continually shine upon this land, so that your ways may be known in these communities. We praise you, God; and may all the people praise you. Then this land will yield its harvest and you, Lord, will bless. (Psalm 67:1-4) Lord, we give you this land, these homes, these people’s labour, and this city. Look with favour on this community, protect it’s citizens and leaders, and enrich this land so that it may be a blessing to others. I pray that you would be honoured and lifted up in this community. Amen.”
WISDOM for City Leaders
“By me (Wisdom) kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:15-17 God is a generous giver. And He loves to give. He will give His Wisdom to anyone who humbly asks for it. It is His gift to us so that we may do what is right and just so that we may live successful lives. Elected officials, if they ask for Wisdom, will in turn govern these communities with enlightened hearts and minds and make sound, fair, and right decisions for all the people in this region. “Thank you Lord, for all civil servants. Thank you for their hard work and sacrifice. May you continually bless them. May you generously give to each of them wise and discerning hearts to skillfully govern the people in this region. Give the mayor, city leaders, staff, and city council Wisdom so that they may solve problems, distinguish between right and wrong, and bring order, stability, and prosperity to this community. Amen.”
Prayer for PROSPERITY
“When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.” Proverbs 11:10 “Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is destroyed.” Proverbs 11:11 When good people succeed and increase in a community, the entire city is uplifted. Justice, goodness, and hope increase exponentially to the benefit of all citizens. In this way, good and upright people bring honour, glory, and prosperity to their city. “Father, thank you for empowering your people to preach the good news in these cities. Let more people open their hearts to Jesus. May you revive these cities with new life. May every person, marriage, family, school, and business in these communities enjoy the blessings of God. Let the benefits of your people in- fluence our city. Amen.”
Church UNITY
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! …For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore.” Ps. 33:1,3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Eph. 4:3 We see a difference between the people of God in a city and the individual churches in that city. Despite attending different churches, we are one body of be- lievers. God’s heart is for His people to pray, speak, and act “in one accord”—with one voice and one mind through the unity that comes from the Holy Spirit. “Lord, give your people in these communities a spirit of unity as they follow you, so that with one heart and mind they may work together for the good of this city and glorify your Name. Give us all your humility Lord, and let all barriers, walls, strongholds, and divisions that keep us separated from you and one another come down in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
