#685 Intercessory Prayer – Prayers for Healing

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

God is the Great Physician, the Great Healer, One we can call upon in times of distress and illness, both physical and emotional.  We recall how God took care of Elijah when he had the great victory over the priests of Baal.  Under the threats of Jezebel, he fled down Mount Carmel and hid, physically and emotionally exhausted, afraid, and depressed.  It was God’s compassionate care of Elijah that brought him back from the brink of defeat, and it started with healing and strengthening his body.[1]  So it is with us today:  we often push ourselves in our daily lives, including our work for the Lord, resulting in our becoming physically exhausted and ill.  Knowing that God still has ministry for us to do and can heal us is a call for each of us to pray for the healing of those around us who are in those circumstances.  Intercessory prayer is a ministry every Christian can and should perform, calling on the One who loves and cares for His disciples.  As we begin a new year, let us faithfully begin, expand, or strengthen our ministry of intercessory prayer.

 

Do you know someone who is suffering, whether physically or emotionally?  If so, pray for the Great Physician’s healing of body and mind!

 

“And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, ‘Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.’  And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.”  (I Kings 19:7-8)

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[1] I Kings 19:1-8

#555 “The Response” Fasting and Prayer Rally – Praise and Criticism

  Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Yesterday’s prayer rally, recognized to be a time of fasting and prayer for the nation and national leaders, drew both praise and criticism.  Praised by Christians and thankful unbelievers alike for the opportunity to unite as one in corporate prayer and thanksgiving, many people poured out their hearts and petitions to the Lord on behalf of America’s needs and problems while thanking and praising Him for the freedom and blessings He has bestowed on America.  At the same time, there was criticism and protests leveled at Governor Perry and the event as being strictly a political ploy to assist his candidacy for United States President, for the absence of participation by various “religious” groups, and for distorting the church-state separation, criticism coming from both those who do and do not believe in prayer.  Only God knows human motive and intent, but He also knows the blessings He has bestowed upon America due to national times of prayer put forth since the establishment of the nation.  God desires we pray as a nation and, regardless of any praise or criticism, has His eyes open and ears attuned to the sincere prayers of His people. 

Whether you have had praise or criticism for “The Response,” spend time praying forAmerica, that God will continue to pour out His blessings on her!

“Now Mine eyes shall be open, and Mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.”  (II Chronicles 7:15)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#554 “The Response” Fasting and Prayer Rally – The Need

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Today, Saturday, August 6, 2011, there will be a well-publicized prayer event in the United States, called “The Response.”  Governor Rick Perry of Texas has called for a seven-hour time of prayer and fasting for the nation at the 71,000-seat Reliant Stadium in Houston,Texas.  There are many Christians, including Governor Perry and other Christian leaders, who believe the greatest and only hope for America to solve her problems is through prayer, and there are a multitude of problems that need our prayers.  There is no doubt the moral fiber of America has deteriorated, economic woes have overtaken the country, joblessness has jeopardized many families, natural disasters have claimed thousands of lives, the cloud of terror is always hovering, political manipulation has shaken the confidence of many Americans, and a general morose has overcome a great percentage of Americans.  Yet, the United States enjoys the greatest freedom in the world, a testimony of God’s blessing upon her, and for that we all will give thanks and praise to our heavenly Father.

Spend today praising and thanking the Lord for the freedom and blessing you enjoy if you are a citizen of the United States while praying to Him for protection and to heal the nation!    

“If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  (II Chronicles 7:14)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#519 Perfecting our Prayer Life – Praying for Spiritual Needs

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We as Christians should make prayer a priority in our lives, not only praying for our own needs but praying for others and asking them to pray for us.  But one thing we often forget is to pray for the spiritual needs of others.  We all have family, friends or other acquaintances that need to know Christ as personal Savior, yet we seldom pray for their salvation.  We all know Christians who are living in a manner that is not pleasing to our Lord, yet we seldom pray that they will turn their life back to Him.  It is never wrong to pray for physical, financial, or relational needs, but we should never forget to pray for spiritual needs.  Paul prayed for his physical needs, but his main emphasis was asking for others to pray for spiritual needs, for his ministry and protection from hindrances that may thwart his ministry.  If we love the Lord and have a strong enough desire to see others won for Him and living for Him, as Paul was, we will be faithful in not only praying for spiritual needs but also be willing to minister to those needs.

Are you praying daily and fervently for the spiritual needs of your friends and loved ones?

“Then Paul answered, ‘What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart?  For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’”  (Acts 21:13)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#509 Perfecting our Prayer Life – Persistent Prayer

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

George Mueller, many consider “the greatest man of prayer of the past two centuries,”[1] was the co-founder of Scriptural Knowledge Institution (SKI) in Bristol, England which established Orphan Homes in Ashley Down that cared for over 18,000 homeless children.  The amazing thing is he and his co-founder had no money and refused to ask anyone but the Lord for any provisions.  George, a missionary himself, prayed for any and everything, and he was so convinced that God would provide and answer his prayers that he would refuse to quit praying for anyone or anything until he got his request.  That is the continuance and persistence Paul is referring to in his epistle to the Colossians.  All Christians are called to a personal and corporate prayer ministry, whether it be alone with God, within the fellowship of a small group of believers, or within the fellowship of the entire congregation of a church.  God expects us to be people of fervent and persistent prayer.

Pray with a continuing persistency and see how the Lord will honor your prayers! 

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.”  (John 14:13)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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[1] Internet site: realheroes.net

#508 Perfecting our Prayer Life – “Continue in Prayer”

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

While Jesus commanded us to watch and pray, Paul followed this command by giving instruction in prayer in his epistle to the Colossians, including five aspects of prayer that need to be considered.  The first such aspect is that our prayers should be persistent and persevering as Paul said they should “continue in prayer.”  This word “continue” can also be translated “devote”, “diligent”, or “earnest”.  It implies an earnest spirit and incessant use of prayer, like breathing.  An unknown author once said, “Prayer is no mere spiritual luxury or interlude; it is sacred business, with its difficulties and its labor.”  A pastor once said, “Don’t say – pray!”[1]  We find in Scripture that Elias continued to pray for rain until it rained, and even before the rain began, he sent a servant to tell Ahab he better get out of the rain.[2]  If it is big enough to pray for, and there is nothing too small for God to hear, it is important enough to be persistent in prayer until it is answered.  Let’s continue tomorrow.

Even if it is difficult to continue in prayer for your requests, be diligent and persistent as you seek the Lord’s answer!

“Continue in prayer…”  (Colossians 4:2a)

May God Richly Bless You Today

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[1] Bob Woolley, Sr.

[2] James 5:17-18

#483 The Armor of God – On Guard for Spiritual Danger

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Roman soldiers, not unlike soldiers today, are trained to be alert, watching for signs of danger.  Christians are likewise instructed to be alert, watching for signs of temptation from Satan and his demons.  Jesus warns us to “take heed” and to “watch and pray.”  To take heed is “to see,” with the idea of keeping our eyes open, staying awake, and being on guard for spiritual dangers that sneak upon us.  We do so by praying for divine assistance and being alert with perseverance and persistence.  Even as believers we do not have sufficient resources in ourselves to avoid temptation; thus we need to depend on the Christian armor available to us, prayer and supplication to our heavenly Father, and persistent alertness.  But our watchfulness is not only to be done with perseverance, but with prayers and petitions for all Christians as Satan’s spiritual warfare is against Christ and the entire Body of Christ, His Church throughout the world. 

As you go about your daily walk with the Lord, pray that you will be on guard for the spiritual dangers that lie in wait for you!

“And Jesus answering them began to say, ‘Take heed lest any man deceive you:  For many shall come in My name, saying, ‘I am Christ;’ and shall deceive many.’”  (Mark 13:5-6)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#482 The Armor of God – How to Always Pray

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Throughout the entire Bible we observe men of God preparing for physical and spiritual battle with prayer, including Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Elijah, David and the Lord Jesus Christ in theGardenofGethsemane.  Each of these men found that prayer is an indispensable duty of any man or woman faced with attacks from Satan.  But Paul emphasizes that prayers and supplications should not just be offered when there is difficulty, but always; we as Christians are to pray continually.  When we continually wait on the Lord, we are strengthened and encouraged, knowing that God is with us.  One may wonder how we as Christians can pray continually, especially when there is earthly work to do.  Short, brief prayers can be raised to our Father whenever situations arise during the day.  Whatever and whenever temptation comes our way, we can briefly ask for strength and wisdom to deal with it.  This does not require our going into a closet to pray, but it does require a prayerful heart that is ready to depend upon our powerful God.

How often do you pray on a daily basis?

“And the children of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that He will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.’”  (I Samuel 7:8)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#481 The Armor of God – The Need for Continual Prayer

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Although Paul does not list prayer as a specific piece of the Christian armor, he does place it as an essential part of our battle with Satan in spiritual warfare.  Knowing that we are to pray submitting ourselves to the will and the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul also reminds us that we are to offer both prayers and supplications.  Prayers and supplications indicate how thorough and intense our time praying should be.  Our prayers should be offered publically, privately, oral, mentally, formally, secret, at church, at home, on our knees, sitting or standing; all kinds of prayer are considered necessary and expected if we are to effectively utilize the Christian armor of God.  The word “prayer” represents prayers in general, those of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and praise while the word “supplication” means continual prayers of petition, requests and entreaties for our inner most needs that we take to our Father.  This thoroughness and intensity is again our evidence of our total dependence on God.

Allow your prayer life to evidence your dependence on God!

“Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”  (Philippians 4:6)

May God Richly Bless You Today

#480 – The Armor of God – The Power of the Spirit in Prayer

Good Day Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We as Christians should make prayer an integral part of our daily walk with the Lord.  This is especially true as we wear the Christian armor of God and take up the helmet of salvation and sword of the Spirit.  As we are faced with Satan’s attacks of temptation our daily prayer should be turned into continuous and fervent prayer.  Our prayers should be in the power of the Spirit with thoroughness and intensity, a dogged determination that shows Satan we have a Power from on high that is much more powerful than he is. This Spirit is the same Spirit by which we wield God’s Word, the Holy Spirit that indwells each of us as Christians.  We do not have to pray demonstrative, ecstatic forms of prayer to pray in the Spirit, but a willingness to pray in the will and power of the Spirit.  Our praying in the Spirit indicates our desire to depend on our powerful God.

Depend on God through prayer for strength and wisdom as you encounter everyday temptations and situations that arise!

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost.”  (Jude 20)

May God Richly Bless You Today