When we opt to love by praying for others, the God of love changes us. Could change them as well.
You've been seeing how the covid-crisis has caused economic, emotional and other serious repercussions in our Land. Crime in US cities is up, teen suicide is sadly up, senseless violence often due to the fake news lies and other reasons is also up.
In several ways this Covid-19-crisis has caused shockwaves, but we don’t have to live passive, defeated, hopeless or fatalistic.
"The gates of Hell did not prevail against Grace Community Church this morning as thousands of Christians gathered to exalt the Lord by singing, 'Holy, Holy, Holy'" - in defiance of the government and the courts. Do Pray for Pastor John F. MacArthur and his grace family out in California.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." ~ Mark Twain
Divorce is up, tension is up, clinical depression is up, divorce is also tragically up and it’s time for us to fight back ..on our knees.. in faith. Let's pray for our President, Governors, Mayors and other leaders. You've seen how many state governors and city mayors have been bad actors (not all). Many of them are foolishly resisting their delegated authority in DC (45) and are not opening up states and cities for business when they really should by now. The Covid cases have really dropped in several states -- in fact many hospitals are closing down their covid wards here. Americans have waited a long time to return to work. It’s time for healthy churches and their small groups to fervently pray and gather again for fellowship. Let’s all be earnestly prayin’ for our cities, towns, schools companies, friends and family members daily.
Fellowship is important for us and it's an upwards thing first. We enjoy biblical worship, praise, and meaningful fellowship with Christ daily. And in that, as he directs us, we pray for our family and friends.
When you consider the lineup of liberal lawyers and the potential for mail-in-voting fraud and other types of cheating (even going on for weeks beyond November 3rd).. "our country is basically in trouble and our only hope is in God. Let’s intercede!
What... intercessory prayer for me? Should we be involved in that?
Sure, intercessory prayer is simply the act of praying on behalf of others. It’s unselfish love.
Here a good report from prayer. Over Labor Day weekend, 1.8 million people tune in to a Rush Of Hope “cinematic crusade.” And more importantly, we saw 16,941 people say they turned and trusted making professions of faith in Christ. Praise God! Where sin abounds grace all the more! See Romans 5:20 and context.
“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality... I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr.
The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament, in the cases of Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this, all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus’ mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34).
A wonderful model of intercessory prayer is found in Daniel 9. It has all the elements of true intercessory prayer. It is in response to the Word (v. 2); characterized by fervency (v. 3) and self-denial (v. 4); identified unselfishly with God’s people (v. 5); strengthened by confession (v. 5-15); dependent on God’s character (vv. 4, 7, 9, 15); and has as its goal God’s glory (vv. 16-19). Like Daniel, Christians are to come to God on behalf of others in a heartbroken and repentant attitude, recognizing their own unworthiness and with a sense of self-denial. Daniel does not say, “I have a right to demand this out of You, God, because I am one of your special, chosen intercessors.” He says, “I’m a sinner,” and, in effect, “I do not have a right to demand anything.” True intercessory prayer seeks not only to know God’s will and see it fulfilled, but to see it fulfilled whether or not it benefits us and regardless of what it costs us. True intercessory prayer seeks God’s glory, not our own.
The following is only a partial list of those for whom we are to offer intercessory prayers: all in authority (1 Timothy 2:2); ministers (Philippians 1:19); Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6); friends (Job 42:8); fellow countrymen (Romans 10:1); the sick (James 5:14); enemies (Jeremiah 29:7); those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44); those who forsake us (2 Timothy 4:16); and all men (1 Timothy 2:1).
There is an erroneous idea in contemporary Christianity that those who offer up intercessory prayers are a special class of “super-Christians,” called by God to a specific ministry of intercession. The Bible is clear that all Christians are called to be intercessors. All Christians have the Holy Spirit in their hearts and, just as He intercedes for us in accordance with God’s will (Romans 8:26-27), we are to intercede for one another. This is not a privilege limited to an exclusive Christian elite; this is the command to all. In fact, not to intercede for others is sin. “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23).
Certainly Peter and Paul, when asking others to intercede for them, did not limit their request to those with a special calling to intercession. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him” (Acts 12:5). Notice it was the whole church that prayed for him, not just those with a gift of intercession. In Ephesians 6:16-18, Paul exhorts the Ephesian believers—all of them—on the fundamentals of the Christian life, which includes intercession “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” Clearly, intercessory prayer is part of the Christian life for all believers.
Further, Paul sought prayer on his behalf from all the Roman believers in Romans 15:30. He also urged the Colossians to intercede for him in Colossians 4:2-3. Nowhere in any biblical request for intercession is there any indication that only a certain group of people could intercede. On the contrary, those who seek others to intercede for them can use all the help they can get! The idea that intercession is the privilege and calling of only some Christians is without biblical basis. Worse, it is a destructive idea that often leads to pride and a sense of superiority.
Lots of people still zoom in. I do at times (try not to so much, it can make me fall asleep). Young people are zoom-exhausted. Totally zoomed-out. Others too. It's fun to watch how adults recover from zoom-sleepin'.. like grabin for that pen, as if they were looking down in order to take notes.
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." 1 John 1:7
God calls all Christians to be intercessors. It is God’s desire that every believer be active in intercessory prayer. What a wonderful and exalted privilege we have in being able to come boldly before the throne of Almighty God with our prayers and requests!
What is Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer? What is Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer? Why did Jesus pray what He prayed in John chapter 17?
What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in Heaven? What is the reason for Jesus doing that kind of thing -- interceding for us in Heaven? Why do we even need Jesus’ intercession on our behalf?
What are the different types of prayer? What are the different types of prayer? How can I know if I am praying the right type of prayer?
What does the Bible say about prayerlessness? What does the Bible say about prayerlessness? Is prayerlessness a sin? How can I overcome my lack of interest in praying?
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27
“Lift up your eyes on high and see...” Isaiah 40:26a
Choose to show love for someone by really praying for them.
“The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:23-25
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
“As for you, do not pray for this people, or lift up a cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with me, for I will not hear you.” Jeremiah 7:16
“He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” Isaiah 59:16
“And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27
“Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” Isaiah 53:12
Would you pray something like...
Lord God, Thanks for bringing each of us this far. We know you have a good plan. If ever we needed Your wisdom, guidance and power.. your wise counsel and understanding.. it is today.
O, Lord, You are the one living God, and our times—our lives, our days, hours, minutes—are all in Your hands. Our nation is in such turmoil still, dealing with BLM and Antifa.. dealing with so many issues so imminent and critical. We hardly know where to begin as we intercede. How should we pray today. Please guide us in this, Holy Spirit. Let our prayers be an expression of Your loving heart and will. We want You and your will for our lives. Please use our prayers to accomplish Your kingdom purpose and bring You glory. (See Psalm 31:15; Matthew 6:11)
“To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” Job 12:13
Lord, You give wisdom, knowledge and understanding to those who call out to you for insight. We call out to you today.
God, please help our Congress to work.. to do what’s best for the citizens, to find agreement as they debate. Please convict and save each one in Congress. Please do battle for the people. Please turn hardened stubborn hearts, yes even religious hearts in Congress around. Many need to make a U-turn to the Jesus of the Bible, yes, to your Son. Give us leaders in America who not only seek You first, but who will listen to the people regarding us all returning to work. Help them listen regarding to schools, jobs and all this business loss here. Help them listen and be wise regarding the escalating riots and violence in our cities, and regarding the COVID virus too. (Proverbs 2:6, 3; 1:33)
O Lord, be our rock and our fortress!
We like peaceful protests (they can be a good idea for positive change), but criminals here in our Land (many are paid off) are still turning peaceful marches into escalating riots of injury, death, and destruction. Some hate people. Some keep shooting, hurting and even killing our beloved Cops. They want to defund and disband our police--it’s moronic. O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, end the violence of the wicked here! Spread Your protection over communities and those who guard them. Watch over our police and first responders. (Remind us how we all loved them after 9/11. Psalm 31:3; 7:9; 5:11)
Because You are the Lord our righteousness, we thank and worship you for all the good things we enjoy. We ask you to help us do what is right in Your sight, God. Help us know and love Jesus more. Help us wisely love our spouses, families, relatives, friends and others better. By your strong grace, use us Lord! Send an biblical revival and a Spiritual Awakening..again! We need you!
Enable us to discern, to join our hearts together in grace... our minds in unity too, and our attitudes to stand united in the truth.... determined to defeat our main enemies (fallen angels) and to completely defeat COVID 19. Convict us to rise above the divisiveness of politics and emotions, to be part of the solution, not part of the problem. Help us to hear and do what real (sound) scientists and health officials recommend for us. (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:10)
O God, You are our Rock, who arms us with strength...
We pray for our President, the medical professionals and EMTs, struggling in many places to fight what seems like an endless battle with COVID, with fear, and with exhaustion. Physical and emotional demands can be so overwhelming. Help them all know and walk close with you, Jesus. Please encourage and grace them -- yes, give them your perspective, and your strength to stay in the fight! (2 Samuel 22:32-33; 2 Thessalonians 2:17)
We call out to the Lord who does not change...
We pray for parents, for teachers, and for students having to adjust to online classes (many are still stuck at home and hate that). Yes, we pray especially for parents with children of different ages, in different grades. Help the parents who work outside the home too, to deal with the myriad of issues they face. Help them to provide and guide. Lead them to turn to you every day with their worries and concerns, for You care for them. Show them what to do moment by moment as Lord. (Malachi 3:6; Matthew 28:11; Psalm 32:8)
God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth, please hear our prayers today...
So many in our nation are grieving. Yes, for the loss of police, or of loved ones who were sick, or of a job and career, or of income, of business and the potential. We have fires in so many western states still. Homes have been destroyed, businesses have been looted, people have been injured and killed. Lives, uprooted. Foundations, have been shaken. We look to you, Christ, during these times to quicken, to revive, to heal and restore your people.. and to awaken the lost! You did that for us when we were dead inside. Use us. Do it again. (Psalm 65:5; 85:6; Romans 10:20 always see context)
In Jesus’ name, amen. Facebook.com/shareJesus .. Fish4souls.org
