"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7.
I don't pray as much as I should. When I do, I don't pray as long as I should. But, I do enjoy praying when I do, by myself or with others. I feel that it is a core element in one's walk with the Lord. There is something powerful in having an intimate conversation with God. Feeling Him move in one's heart and knowing He is hearing me is uplifting.
This doesn't mean He answers every prayer in the way I see fit or that He is a genie granting my every wish. Like a good father, He knows what is best for me. A friend once said "Just because my children really want a lion as a pet, doesn't mean I get one for them" Prayer is more important for us as He already knows what is needed. It draws us closer to Him and we develop a better understanding of His plans not just for us, but for the world.
I used to help facilitate an intercessory prayer group at our church. I say facilitate because I didn't lead. I just unlocked the church doors and invited others to pray and see where God led. And where God leads, then that's the path we will follow.
Intercession is not the same as praying for ourselves and our needs. It is a time to pray with hope that God will step in for someone else or some other entity. It is trusting God to act, even if it's not always how we wish or how we would do it. It is trusting in God's strength, mercy, and goodness.
There are many intercessors in the bible. Abraham stood before God on behalf of Sodom. Moses stood up for the life of his nation when they were worshipping the golden calf. Nehemiah prayed for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and his people. Isaiah prayed to save the nation from destruction at the hands of Assyria (Isaiah Ch 36-39). The key quality of each of these men was their compassion. They loved the people and they dared to speak to God on their behalf.
Jesus was a living intercession. He interceded in prayer for protection and blessing of His followers, to forgive those at the cross. His entire reason was to span the rift with God caused by our sin. He sacrificed himself at the cross to intercede for us.
Others who also interceded were Stephen, Peter, and Paul. The young church was always praying for others. We are also called to pray for others as well. It doesn't matter how good of a "pray-er" you are or that we say the right prayers. God is not fussy about our wording and how we do it. He wants the heart behind those prayers. Plus, the Holy Spirit is promised to be praying with us as well. Even on a tough day or we don't know how to express it, the Holy Spirit steps in for us and draws us along. Another intercession. Pray listening to the Spirit, pray that God's will be done.
We are to pray for our world, our nation, and political leaders much like the early church prayed for the Roman authorities. It's easy to pray against evil and oppressive leaders, but that's not what God wants. Such thinking pollutes our minds and we should pray that God would lead or change them.
Luke 9:56 says, "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy peoples' lives, but to save them"
That should be our attitude when we pray for others that God would build people up, not destroy them. God loves them just as much as you. We need to follow that example even when it seems rough.
When you go into prayer, realize what our expectations of success will be. It may not be the same as God's. This is not to discourage us, but sometimes God's mercy does not override His purposes or justice. Abraham spoke up for Sodom, but could only save his relatives. Moses' people were spared destruction but that generation did not get the land God promised. David's weeping and praying could not save his son. Jesus prayed for unity of His followers, and although they did gain unity - there are still divisions to this day. The apostles had people praying for their safety, but many died horrible deaths.
Lots of us pray "Thy will be done". It is not praying with doubt, although it can seem it, like "God if you want to". It is the act of placing your trust in God. I struggle with that phrase because I tend to throw it out there as a caveat in case my prayer isn't answered like I want it. Almost saying "I'm not sure you'll do this so I am throwing this out there to make myself feel better if you don't answer this prayer in a satisfactory way to me". We need to pray with the conviction that God is in charge and knows best.
When we intercede for others, I encourage you to be bold and take risks. Be willing to place yourself on the line. Be ready to be called into action. If you are willing to pray for someone or something, be ready for God to use you to accomplish it. God is not going to yell at you for being bold or risking or even being angry with God. Like a good father, He will listen, envelop you with His love, and give you the right answer.
I don't pray as much as I should. When I do, I don't pray as long as I should. But, I do enjoy praying when I do, by myself or with others. I feel that it is a core element in one's walk with the Lord. There is something powerful in having an intimate conversation with God. Feeling Him move in one's heart and knowing He is hearing me is uplifting.
This doesn't mean He answers every prayer in the way I see fit or that He is a genie granting my every wish. Like a good father, He knows what is best for me. A friend once said "Just because my children really want a lion as a pet, doesn't mean I get one for them" Prayer is more important for us as He already knows what is needed. It draws us closer to Him and we develop a better understanding of His plans not just for us, but for the world.
I used to help facilitate an intercessory prayer group at our church. I say facilitate because I didn't lead. I just unlocked the church doors and invited others to pray and see where God led. And where God leads, then that's the path we will follow.
Intercession is not the same as praying for ourselves and our needs. It is a time to pray with hope that God will step in for someone else or some other entity. It is trusting God to act, even if it's not always how we wish or how we would do it. It is trusting in God's strength, mercy, and goodness.
There are many intercessors in the bible. Abraham stood before God on behalf of Sodom. Moses stood up for the life of his nation when they were worshipping the golden calf. Nehemiah prayed for the rebuilding of Jerusalem and his people. Isaiah prayed to save the nation from destruction at the hands of Assyria (Isaiah Ch 36-39). The key quality of each of these men was their compassion. They loved the people and they dared to speak to God on their behalf.
Jesus was a living intercession. He interceded in prayer for protection and blessing of His followers, to forgive those at the cross. His entire reason was to span the rift with God caused by our sin. He sacrificed himself at the cross to intercede for us.
Others who also interceded were Stephen, Peter, and Paul. The young church was always praying for others. We are also called to pray for others as well. It doesn't matter how good of a "pray-er" you are or that we say the right prayers. God is not fussy about our wording and how we do it. He wants the heart behind those prayers. Plus, the Holy Spirit is promised to be praying with us as well. Even on a tough day or we don't know how to express it, the Holy Spirit steps in for us and draws us along. Another intercession. Pray listening to the Spirit, pray that God's will be done.
We are to pray for our world, our nation, and political leaders much like the early church prayed for the Roman authorities. It's easy to pray against evil and oppressive leaders, but that's not what God wants. Such thinking pollutes our minds and we should pray that God would lead or change them.
Luke 9:56 says, "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy peoples' lives, but to save them"
That should be our attitude when we pray for others that God would build people up, not destroy them. God loves them just as much as you. We need to follow that example even when it seems rough.
When you go into prayer, realize what our expectations of success will be. It may not be the same as God's. This is not to discourage us, but sometimes God's mercy does not override His purposes or justice. Abraham spoke up for Sodom, but could only save his relatives. Moses' people were spared destruction but that generation did not get the land God promised. David's weeping and praying could not save his son. Jesus prayed for unity of His followers, and although they did gain unity - there are still divisions to this day. The apostles had people praying for their safety, but many died horrible deaths.
Lots of us pray "Thy will be done". It is not praying with doubt, although it can seem it, like "God if you want to". It is the act of placing your trust in God. I struggle with that phrase because I tend to throw it out there as a caveat in case my prayer isn't answered like I want it. Almost saying "I'm not sure you'll do this so I am throwing this out there to make myself feel better if you don't answer this prayer in a satisfactory way to me". We need to pray with the conviction that God is in charge and knows best.
When we intercede for others, I encourage you to be bold and take risks. Be willing to place yourself on the line. Be ready to be called into action. If you are willing to pray for someone or something, be ready for God to use you to accomplish it. God is not going to yell at you for being bold or risking or even being angry with God. Like a good father, He will listen, envelop you with His love, and give you the right answer.
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