Day 11 | Drug Cartels

Today’s prayer topic may seem odd to some, but today we want to pray for the Drug Cartels that are ravaging Mexico. In Luke chapter 7, Jesus says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (I encourage all of you to read Luke 7:27-36)

My natural reaction is to want to curse the drug cartels. Their violence and the media’s coverage of it has left a climate of hopelessness in this city that we love. Their tactics have scared thousands of believers away that used to come to Juarez on a regular basis, bringing hope and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. We are one of the very few U.S. ministries that still operates in this city. So when I see my neighbors hurting and persecuted, it is very easy for me to just want to curse the cartels and wish evil upon them. But, that’s not what Jesus wants.

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. He says it is His wish that NO ONE should parish, but that all would be able to have eternal life. So, what do I do in response to this? I pray for those who mistreat the very people that I love. This is my challenge to you. Instead of praying that God would just stop the cartels or that He would condemn their leaders, PRAY! Pray that God would move inside of the very top leaders of each cartel. Pray for the salvation of each and every cartel member. Pray that one day you will be able to stand side by side in paradise with those very cartel members that have been keeping you away from Mexico.

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that, “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” If we want to stop the drug war that is ravaging in Mexico, then first we have to win the spiritual battle! So Pray! Pray! Pray!
-David