The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler.  Fall must be on the way!  With it comes the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York City, where the world’s leaders get together to “maintain international peace and security…develop friendly relations among nations…achieve international co-operation in solving international problems.”  (According to the UN Charter)

The 69^th session of the General Assembly officially convened on Tuesday (9/16/14), with General Debate scheduled for September 24-30.  Two days ago I shared The Raw Truth about Anti-Semitism and the UN, and it is likely the same anti-Semitic atmosphere will prevail.

As Bible-believing Christians, we are seeing fulfillment of the very thing that Zechariah prophesied:  all nations turning their backs on Israel.  (Who knew that the United Nations would lead that charge!)  It’s not a surprise, but is certainly a concern that warrants our prayers.  Will you join me in praying for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit upon world leaders involved in the UN?  Let’s commit to pray throughout the month of September that the UN will be used for righteous purposes this year.  Here are a few points of prayer:

• Leaders from the US, UK, France, Russia, China and Germany (P5+1) are currently meeting to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. They are scheduled to resume negotiations with Iranian leaders in the next few days.  Meanwhile, Iran continues to allege that their nuclear ambitions are strictly for civil purposes, yet they continue to prohibit International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspectors from inspecting nuclear facilities (as agreed in previous negotiations).  Pray for the evil schemes of Iranian leadership to be revealed in full to world leaders, and for those leaders to take a strong stand.  Also, pray that President Obama and others will see the futility in trying to negotiate with a regime that believes it is their calling to bring about their counterfeit messiah by creating chaos and killing Jews.
• ISIS will likely be a topic of discussion during this UN session. President Obama has pledged to build a coalition to defeat ISIS.  Pray that world leaders will rightly unite against the evil intentions of radical Islam.
• In recent years Palestinians have petitioned the UN for statehood, and may do so again. The problem is that they don’t have a state!  Their hope is that the UN will recognize the West Bank as their official state, and Jerusalem as their capital.  The Bible tells us that land belongs to Israel.  Furthermore, Israel has legal right to the land.  Let’s pray that world leaders will not buy into the lies of the enemy, but will stand firm in affirming Israel’s right to that land.
• Boko Haram is creating similar havoc in Africa that ISIS is creating in Iraq and Syria. They are torturing innocent civilians while strong-arming their way to power in an attempt to establish Shariah law.  Evil should not reign in any part of the world, so let’s pray that the people of Nigeria and neighboring countries get the attention they are due, and that the UN will work to protect and set free those being oppressed in Africa.
• Christians are being persecuted all over the world, including in Iran and North Korea. Will you take time to pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ?  Our prayers should include recognition of that persecution by the UN, and their efforts to condemn and fight against such persecution.

While it is true that answers to the world’s problems are not found in world leaders or political geniuses, much depends upon how world leaders lead.  Romans 13 tells us we are to be subject to government authorities, so wouldn’t it be nice if they followed Scriptural principles?  Furthermore, 1 Timothy 2:1-3 calls us to pray for those in authority over us.  “This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”  It is our duty!

You and I may not be able to overtly impact the leaders of the world.  However, I am convinced that our prayer-hearing, prayer-answering, miracle-working God is able to turn a king’s heart wherever He wishes!  (Proverbs 21:1)  Pray, dear friends, pray!  Our world needs it…and our God can accomplish it!