Intercessory prayer invites us into God’s care and concern for us, our families and friends, and the entire world. No concern is too trivial for God to receive with loving attention. However, intercession is not a means of manipulating heaven into doing our will. Rather it is a way we become aware of God’s desires for others.
SCRIPTURE:
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” (Romans 8:27)
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18)
INTERCESSORY PRACTICES INCLUDES:
- Participating in prayer meetings.
- Contributing to prayer lists, prayer chains.
- Praying for the world, for peace, for God’s kingdom to come.
- Praying for personal concerns, tasks, transactions and relationships of friends and neighbours.
‘HOW TO” TIPS
- Treat intercessory prayer as intentional effort and set aside time to pray.
- Pay attention when people come to mind as it may happen for a reason and talk with God about them.
- Use a newspaper or a new website to pray for the world.
- Create weekly prayer lists of people or activities and let God lead you in prayer.
- Create a neighbourhood prayer chart to help you visualize your neighbours who share your immediate community.
- Identify serving or retired military personnel to pray for.
- Make a journal of people close to you and include their photo and some details and commit to pray for them. Enter your prayers under their name in your journal.