Encouragement
Intercession is Partnering with God through Prayer
Do the things you are seeing and hearing around you break your heart? Not just for your needs, but other’s needs, the prodigals, the hurricane victims, and what about the elections? I believe God is calling every believer to care and pray. We are called to intercede… to stand in the gap.
Let me share why I believe every born-again believer should be an intercessor. We live in a time where prayer isn’t just encouraged—it’s essential. Let’s dive into the Word of God and see how Scripture calls us to stand in the gap for those in authority and the world around us.
The Biblical Call to Intercede
In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul urges us to offer petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings for everyone, especially for kings and those in authority. Why? So that we may live peaceful and godly lives in dignity. Prayer has a powerful effect, not only on our lives but also on our communities and nations. Throughout history, when Israel had godly leaders, the people followed in righteousness, and the reverse was also true when the leaders strayed from God’s ways.
The Importance of Leaders
With the state of the world today—elections approaching, natural disasters like Hurricane Helena, and unrest everywhere—it’s clear that we have many reasons to pray for our leaders. When we pray, we invite God to intervene in these situations, aligning them with His will. It’s time for us, the church, to rise up and get on our knees in prayer.
Spiritual Strength, Not Physical
Just like the image given in Isaiah 37 and 2 Kings 19, there’s a feeling that people are weary. It’s like a mother ready to give birth, but lacking the strength to deliver. While many of us may be physically strong, our spiritual strength is what’s lacking. And this is concerning. It’s time for the church to wake up and become spiritually strong through prayer.
Don’t Misinterpret God’s Control
We often hear the phrase, “God is in control.” While this is absolutely true, it is not an excuse to do nothing. God invites us to partner with Him, and one of the most powerful ways we can do that is through prayer. Jesus was a man of prayer. He also taught His disciples to pray, saying, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
It’s Time to Pray with Purpose
Jesus didn’t teach us to pray simply as a formality. He showed us that our prayers play a role in bringing God’s will to pass here on earth. Yet many Christians today don’t pray, assuming that whatever happens is God’s will. This is a dangerous mindset. It’s time to sound the alarm! We must rise up as the church and pray the promises of God over our lives, our leaders, and our nation.
Pray God’s Promises
Prayer is more than just words—it’s aligning our hearts with God’s promises. Just as a baby develops over nine months in the womb, there’s a gestation period for the promises of God. We must take hold of His promises, meditate on them, and pray them through relentlessly until they come to pass. As believers, we have the authority to use the name of Jesus and the Word of God in our prayers. We can boldly approach God’s throne, trusting that if He gave us His Son, He will surely hear and answer our prayers.
Join the Prayer Movement
There’s a significant event happening on October 12th A Million Women – An Esther Call on the Mall in Washington, D.C. (It’s not just for women!) It’s a day of fasting and intercession for our nation, leaders, and prodigals. If you can’t attend, you can still participate by setting aside time to pray, fast, and intercede. Let’s humble ourselves before God, praying for revival in our churches, families, and nation.