Pray for the Fear of God
Psalm 130:3-4 If you, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand. But there is forgiveness with You that You may be feared. (Note: The fear of God results from forgiveness and it draws us to Him.)
The reason people do not follow Jesus is that they lack a fear of God.
Psalm 36:1-2 An oracle is within my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked, there is no fear of God before their eyes; for in their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.
The fear of God has GREAT benefits: Eg. clear instruction for life choices, Intimacy with God Ps. 25:12-14; great goodness Ps. 31:19; keep us from sin Ex. 20:20; experience His great mercy Luke 1:50; and much more.
In light of this I pray for the fear of God – for myself and for my loved ones. When I pray for rulers and all men I pray the fear of God comes on them so that they might hear and understand the gospel and make an informed decision regarding their own eternal destiny.
I think of the fear of God primarily as reverence and awe resulting for believers in humble contrition before His holiness and majesty and power, and for those who persist in unbelief, terror and trembling and paralyzing fear. (All will fear God when they see God.)
O God, teach us the fear of God. Amen.