Lord of compassion and mercy, we pray for everyone whose life is impacted by pornography. Please rescue people who are addicted to using it, liberate and heal those abused because of it and strengthen partners and families who suffer its shame. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
1. The sexualisation of society
"They’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion." Ephesians 4:18-19 (The Message)
Holy Lord, please have mercy on us in today’s godless culture where restraint is thrown off, lust is acceptable, children robbed of innocence and Your gift of sex abused. We intercede for transformation in the minds and hearts of influencers and trend-setters who promote this worldview and for people’s attitudes to be changed. In Your mercy. Amen.
2. The pornography industry
"Lord, you are a God who punishes; reveal your anger! You are the judge of us all; How much longer will the wicked be glad? How much longer will criminals be proud and boast about their crimes? They crush your people, Lord; they oppress those who belong to you." Psalm 94:1-5 (Good News Translation)
Righteous God, we grieve at how the global pornography industry, netting over $200 billion each year, abuses and uses human beings. We know nothing escapes Your all-seeing gaze and that one day justice will come, but meanwhile please cause many of these organisations to fail and mercifully draw many who are caught up in them to repentance and salvation. For Christ’s sake. Amen.
3. Stronger regulation
"Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent – the Lord detests them both." Proverbs 17:15 (NIV)
Father, we intercede that the compulsory age verification required by the Online Safety Act 2023 will succeed in preventing children and young people from accessing harmful material from pornography websites. May further protections to be put in place and please grant that the stringent penalties for breaking the law will effectively applied. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
4. Protecting children from harm
"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied round their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.'" Luke 17:1-2 (NIV)
Saviour, please rescue this generation, many of whom are deeply troubled through their exposure to pornographic, violent images, and behaviours that reject the truth and beauty of Your gift of sex. We pray for a U-turn across society, insisting that children and young people must be helped to turn from harmful attitudes and actions to follow in Your ways of goodness and life. In Your mercy. Amen.
5. Healing relationships
"Make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others." Colossians 3:13 (NLT)
Lord, we pray for anyone who has learned that their spouse or someone else close to them regularly accesses pornography; making them feel betrayed, dishonoured, angry and sad. May Your Spirit grant them wisdom and strength to confront this behaviour and find a way forward that protects everyone involved but is also open to healing and forgiveness. Through Your powerful love and grace. Amen.
6. Protection for the vulnerable
"Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish. Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me!" Psalm 25:16-19 (NIV)
Father, we pray about the common practice of teenagers’ ‘peer-to-peer’ sharing of pornographic and personal sexual images and messages on social media and consequent disrespectful and aggressive attitudes and behaviour towards women. Please help girls and boys who feel trapped and bullied by this culture, many being driven to self-harming and other dangers. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
7. Freedom from addiction
"I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that has defiled you. I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you." Ezekiel 36:25-27 (Good News Translation)
Jesus our Redeemer, please help individuals wanting to stop accessing pornography to take decisive action that can lead to hope, transformation, and recovery. Lead them to people and organisations, such as CARE’s partner organisation nakedtruthproject.com, that offer support to break free. Please draw many into the truth of Your unconditional love and forgiveness. By Your powerful name. Amen.