Romans 16:17, 18  “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” (NIV)

Psalm 140:8 
“Do not grant the wicked their desires, LORD; 
do not let their plans succeed.” (NIV)

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Here are two good prayers to pray.

Paul’s instruction in Romans 16:17-18 tells us, “to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.” Division on the path toward a deep and abiding walk with God is not from God. Dissension is not his manner. Instead, it is a tool of the evil one to keep you from living productively and effectively together.

Obstacles contrary to God’s truth fail the test of time and weaken us instead of strengthening us. Unhealthy and unwholesome obstacles harm us. Obstacles that drive wedges between brothers and sisters in Christ reduce our cohesion and helpfulness. 

A prayer to pray: Our Father, deliver us from divisions that keep us from walking together in a deep and abiding relationship with you and with one another. Deliver us from dissension that puts us at unnecessary odds with one another and compromises our effectiveness in your service. Amen.

King David’s prayer in Psalm 140 offers a helpful pattern for praying against those who bring division and obstacles that hinder God’s work. He says, “Do not grant the wicked their desires. Do not let their plans succeed.” 

When people come against us with wicked desires and harmful plans, we can pray kingly prayers like David. 

A prayer to pray: Our Father, as Jesus taught us to pray, deliver us from evil. Do not let people intent on evil succeed. Instead, change their hearts and minds to align and attune with yours. Bring your peace and purpose to bear on what they would destroy by turning it into heavenly success. Amen. 

What division or obstacle are you facing today? 

What wicked plans are people working on around you now? 

How will you turn these problems into prayers that change the atmosphere and alter outcomes for the good of all concerned? 

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I will turn problems into prayers. 

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Our Father, many people today want to cause division. This is true in politics. This is true within our church fellowships. This is true in our neighborhoods. Please deliver us from division. Remove dissension. Hinder evil intentions. Empower us to live lives that demonstrate the positive alternative. And teach us to pray like the Apostle Paul and King David when we face wickedness of any and every kind. Amen.