Praying For One Another

This week is, again, a continuation on prayer. More specifically about intercession.

What is intercession? Intercession can be defined as a prayer to God on behalf of other people or another person. The Bible speaks of the importance of praying for others.

James 5:16 says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Scripture also tells us that when two or more are gathered, God is there. There are so many uplifting verse that are associated with prayer. One of the being Matthew 21:22 - "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Pretend you are a person living in absolute poverty and you don't know God or haven't had the chance to know Him. If people didn't intercede for you, will you ever get the chance to learn about Christ Jesus?
We need to lift up and intercede for others so that they can learn of Christ's existance and what He did for them and the world. We need to pray that people living in poor circumstances will get the opportunity to hear His teachings. Whether that's by missionaries coming to share with them, people sponsoring them or one of the other many ways, it's up to us, as their spiritual sisters to pray for that opportunity to show itself to them, that they will hold on to it, that they may be saved as well.

We all know that Satan's ultimate plan is to keep people away from hearing the Good News. And for those who already know Him, try to fill our lives with so many distractions that we don't have time for God. But consistant prayer disrupts Satan's plans!

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

- 1 Peter 5:8

Prayer is the greatest form of worship. God loves that intimacy of it and with the devil is 'prowling around looking for someone to devour', we need to protect ourselves and others in prayer. Pray that we won't be weak but that we can stand strong in the Lord. That the enemy can find no place to get a good hold on someone. When there are multitudes of people praying, there is nothing more that Satan hates. So when we pray in groups for others, at youth group, school or church, we are not only blessing them, but protecting them from the devil's horrible plans.

There are so many different ways we can pray. Prayer is vital to the soul of a believer. So never feel discouraged, like God doesn't hear your prayers. He hears every prayer, even the whispered ones. So we encourage you to pray for one another. When we pray we often pray for our family and friends, without really thinking of it as intercession. Below are some things that the Bible is specific on praying for.

The Bible says to pray for...
- One another (Eshesians 6:18, John 17:15).
- Kings and Leaders worldwide (1 Timothy 2:2).
- Those in position of autority ( 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
- The lost to be saved (Romans 10:1, 2 Peter 3:9).
- The world to be touched (Psalm 2:8).
- Missionaries (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
- Workers to be sent (Matthew 9:37-38).
- Our pastors and leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:25).
- New Christians (Philippians 1:11,Acts 11:26, Acts 14:22).
- The sick (James 5:14-15).
- Family, friends, work or school associates (John 1:41-42).

God Bless.
~ Taleisha & Meggie