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What is prayer?
(prar) (deesis, proseuche, (enteuxis; for an excellent discussion
of the meaning of these see Thayer's Lexicon, p. 126, under the
word deesis; the chief verbs are euchomai, proseuchomai, and
deomai, especially in Luke and Acts; aiteo, "to ask a favor"
distinguished from erotao, "to ask a question," is found
occasionally):
In the Bible "prayer" is used in a simpler and a more complex a
narrower and a wider signification. In the former case it is
supplication for benefits either for one's self (petition) or for
others (intercession). In the latter it is an act of worship
which covers all soul in its approach to God. Supplication is at
the heart of it, for prayer always springs out of a sense of need
and a belief that God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him (Heb 11:6). But adoration and confession and thanksgiving
also find it place, so that the suppliant becomes a worshipper.
It is unnecessary to distinguish all the various terms for prayer
that are employed in the Old Testament and the New Testament. But
the fact should be noticed that in the Hebrew and Greek aloe
there are on the one hand words for prayer that denote a direct
petition or short, sharp cry of the heart in its distress (Ps
30:2; 2 Cor 12:8), and on the other "prayers" like that of Hannah
(1 Sam 2:1-10), which is in reality a song of thanksgiving, or
that of Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, in which intercession
is mingled with doxology (Eph 3:14-21).
1. In the Old Testament: The history of prayer as it meets us
here reflects various stages of experience and revelation. In the
patriarchal period, when 'men began to call upon the name of the
Lord' (Gen 4:26; compare 12:8; 21:33), prayer is naive, familiar
and direct (15:2 ff; 17:18; 18:23 ff; 24:12). It is evidently
associated with sacrifice (12:8; 13:4; 26:25), the underlying
idea probably being that the gift or offering would help to
elicit the desired response. Analogous to this is Jacob's vow,
itself a species of prayer, in which the granting of desired
benefits becomes the condition of promised service and fidelity
(28:20 ff). In the pre-exilic history of Israel prayer still
retains many of the primitive features of the patriarchal type
(Ex 3:4; Num 11:11-15; Judg 6:13 ff; 11:30 f; 1 Sam 1:11; 2 Sam
15:8; Ps 66:13 f). The Law has remarkably little to say on the
subject, differing here from the later Judaism (see Schurer,
Schurer, History of the Jewish People in the Time of Jesus
Christ, II, i, 290, index-vol, p. 93; and compare Matt 6:5 ff;
23:14; 3:1; 16:13); while it confirms the association of prayer
with sacrifices, which now appear, however, not as gifts in
anticipation of benefits to follow, but as expiations of guilt
(Deut 21:1-9) or thank offerings for past mercies (26:1-11).
Moreover, the free, frank access of the private individual to God
is more and more giving place to the mediation of the priest
(21:5; 26:3), the intercession of the prophet (Ex 32:11-13; 1 Sam
7:5-13; 12:23), the ordered approach of tabernacle and temple
services (Ex 40; 1 Kings 8:1). The prophet, it is true,
approaches God immediately and freely - Moses (Ex 34:34; Deut
34:10) and David (2 Sam 7:27) are to be numbered among the
prophets-but he does so in virtue of his office, and on the
ground especially of his possession of the Spirit and his
intercessory function (compare Ezek 2:2; Jer 14:15).
A new epoch in the history of prayer in Israel was brought about
by the experiences of the Exile. Chastisement drove the nation to
seek God more earnestly than before, and as the way of approach
through the external forms of the temple and its sacrifices was
now closed, the spiritual path of prayer was frequented with a
new assiduity. The devotional habits of Ezra (Ezra 7:27; 8:23),
Nehemlab (Neh 2:4; 4:4,9, etc.) and Daniel (Dan 6:10) prove how
large a place prayer came to hold in the individual life; while
the utterances recorded in Ezra 9:6-15; Neh 1:5-11; 9:5-38; Dan
9:4-19; Isa 63:7-64:12 serve as illustrations of the language and
spirit of the prayers of the Exile, and show especially the
prominence now given to confession of sin. In any survey of the
Old Testament teaching the Psalms occupy a place by themselves,
both on account of the large period they cover in the history and
because we are ignorant in most cases as to the particular
circumstances of their origin. But speaking generally it may be
said that here we see the loftiest flights attained by the spirit
of prayer under the old dispensation-the intensest craving for
pardon, purity and other spiritual blessings (51, 130), the most
heartfelt longing for a living communion with God Himself (Ps
42:2; 63:1; 84:2).
2. In the New Testament: Here it will be convenient to deal
separately with the material furnished by the Gospel narratives
of the life and teaching of Christ and that found in the
remaining books. The distinctively Christian view of prayer comes
to us from the Christ of the Gospels. We have to notice His own
habits in the matter (Luke 3:21; 6:12; 9:16,29; 22:32,39-46;
23:34-46; Matt 27:46; John 17:1), which for all who accept Him as
the revealer of the Father and the final authority in religion
immediately dissipate all theoretical objections to the value and
efficacy of prayer. Next we have His general teaching on the
subject in parables (Luke 11:5-9; 18:1-14) and incidental sayings
(Matt 5:44; 6:5-8; 7:7-11; 9:38; 17:21; 18:19; 21:22; 24:20;
26:41 and the parallels), which presents prayer, not as a mere
energizing of the religious soul that is followed by beneficial
spiritual reactions, but as the request of a child to a father
(6:8; 7:11), subject, indeed, to the father's will (7:11; compare
6:10; 26:39,42; 5:14), but secure always of loving attention and
response (Matt 7:7-11; 21:22). In thus teaching us to approach
God as our Father, Jesus raised prayer to its highest plane,
making it not less reverent than it was at its best in Old
Testament times, while far more intimate and trustful. In the
LORD'S PRAYER (which see) He summed up His ordinary teaching on
the subject in a concrete example which serves as a model and
breviary of prayer (Matt 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4). But according to
the Fourth Gospel, this was not His final word upon the subject.
On the night of the betrayal, and in full view of His death and
resurrection and ascension to God's right hand, He told His
disciples that prayer was henceforth to be addressed to the
Father in the name of the Son, and that prayer thus offered was
sure to be granted (John 16:23-24,26). The differentia of
Christian prayer thus consists in its being offered in the name
of Christ; while the secret of its success lies on the one hand
in the new access to the Father which Christ has secured for His
people (17:19; compare Heb 4:14-16; 10:19-22), and on the other
in the fact that prayer offered in the name of Christ will be
prayer in harmony with the Father's will (15:7; compare 1 John
3:22 f; 5:13 f).
In the Acts and Epistles we see the apostolic church giving
effect to Christ's teaching on prayer. It was in a praying
atmosphere that the church was born (Acts 1:14; compare 2:1); and
throughout its early history prayer continued to be its vital
breath and native air (2:42; 3:1; 6:4,6 and passim). The Epistles
abound in references to prayer. Those of Paul in particular
contain frequent allusions to his own personal practice in the
matter (Rom 1:9; Eph 1:16; Phil 1:9; 1 Thess 1:2, etc.), and many
exhortations to his readers to cultivate the praying habit (Rom
12:12; Eph 6:18; Phil 4:6; 1 Thess 5:17, etc.). But the new and
characteristic thing about Christian prayer as it meets us now is
its connection with the Spirit. It has become a spiritual gift (1
Cor 14:14-16); and even those who have not this gift in the
exceptional charismatic sense may "pray in the Spirit" whenever
they come to the throne of grace (Eph 6:18; Jude verse 20). The
gift of the Spirit, promised by Christ (John 14:16 ff, etc.), has
raised prayer to its highest power by securing for it a divine
cooperation (Rom 8:15,26; Gal 4:6). Thus Christian prayer in its
full New Testament meaning is prayer addressed to God as Father,
in the name of Christ as Mediator, and through the enabling grace
of the indwelling Spirit.
(from International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, Electronic
Database Copyright © 1996, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All
rights reserved.)
By Matt Slick
Prayer is the practice of the presence of God. It is the place
where pride is abandoned, hope is lifted, and supplication is
made. Prayer is the place of admitting our need, of adopting
humility, and claiming dependence upon God. Prayer is the
needful practice of the Christian. Prayer is the exercise of
faith and hope. Prayer is the privilege of touching the heart of
the Father through the Son of God, Jesus our Lord.
The Bible speaks much of prayer. But, sometimes, too often, we
ignore prayer and seek to accomplish in the strength of our own
wills those things that we desire to have or happen. For those
of us who are too often guilty of this, we need to bow our knees,
confess our sin, receive God's forgiveness, and beg that the will
of the Lord be done above our own. God is sovereign and loving
and He knows what is best for us and others, even if it doesn't
always seem to make the most sense.
We so often come to the Lord with legitimate requests for
healing, conversions, and needs and yet the answers we hope for
often do not come. We wonder and sometimes doubt. Yet, we
persevere and praise God. We pray because we know that God hears
us and because we desire to see results. We should pray by
faith, trusting God. We should pray consistently, trusting God.
We should pray for healing, trusting God. We should pray for
others, trusting God. We should pray and when our prayers are
answered or are not answered remember this: If we knew what the
Lord knew, we wouldn't change a thing.
Prayer changes the one praying because in prayer, you are in the
presence of God as you lay before Him your complete self in
confession and dependence. There is nothing to hide when in
quiet supplication we are reaching into the deepest part of
ourselves and admitting our needs and failures. In so doing, our
hearts are quieted and pride is stripped and we enjoy the
presence of God. James 4:8 says, "Draw near to God and He will
draw near to you."
There is another benefit of prayer: peace. "Be anxious for
nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the
peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus," (Phil. 4:6-7).
I suppose that we can test our prayer life and dependence upon
God by the peace or lack of peace in our hearts. In all things
we are to seek the Lord and in His continued presence. Peace
will surely be our gain.
Prayer is the practice of the presence of God.
Praying in the spirit
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit,
which is the word of God; with all prayer and requests, praying
at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all
perseverance and requests for all the saints on my behalf, that
utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known
with boldness the mystery of the Gospel, for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought
to speak. -- Ephesians 6:17-20 (WEB)
The Greek word "en" translated in "in the Spirit" as "in" can
mean "in", "with", "together with", or "by".
But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy
faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in the love of
God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal
life. -- Jude 20 (WEB)
In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weaknesses, for we
don't know how to pray as we ought. But the Spirit himself makes
intercession for us with groanings which can't be uttered. He who
searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit's mind, because
he makes intercession for the saints according to God. -- Romans
8:26-27 (WEB)
For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to
God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks
mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks to men for their
edification, exhortation, and consolation. He who speaks in
another language edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies
the assembly. Now I desire to have you all speak with other
languages, but rather that you would prophesy. For he is greater
who prophesies than he who speaks with other languages, unless he
interprets, that the assembly may be built up. -- 1 Corinthians
14:2-5 (WEB)
But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if it is so that
the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if any man doesn't have the
Spirit of Christ, he is not his. If Christ is in you, the body is
dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of
righteousness. But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from
the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the
dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit
who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the
flesh, to live after the flesh. For if you live after the flesh,
you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of
the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, these are children of God. For you didn't receive the spirit
of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of
adoption, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" -- Romans 8:9-15 (WEB)
Praying in the Spirit has many benefits. For one, the fruit of
the Spirit is released in us, which has supernatural and
multifaceted effects on our attitudes and personality that are
given off by Him resting in us and on us. Aside from this
practical and necessary benefit, praying in the Spirit gives us
specific, unique advantages that we achieve by allowing the
Spirit to pray through us. I want to talk to you today about a
few of the specific and unique advantages we have when we allow
God’s Spirit to pray through us. Praying in the Spirit gives us
wisdom, gives us even more of an advantage in spiritual warfare
and causes us to be “built up” and edified in our spirit man.
Wisdom
Sometimes in life, we are so overwhelmed we don’t even know what
we should pray for. Sometimes words fail and human intelligence
fumbles with even the articulation of what it is we need. God
understands the words contained in even a single tear, but when
we’re done allowing our soul to vent by crying, we need to take
God’s hand and pray in the Spirit.
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself
intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 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 8:26-27
When we pray in the Spirit, the Spirit of God intercede for us
according to whatever Gods will is. Back up a little. The
previous verse says that the Holy Spirit searches our hearts.[1
Corinthians 2:10] But God has revealed them to us through His
Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep
things of God. also says that the Spirit searches “all things.”
Since the Spirit of God searches our hearts, He finds and
thoroughly knows what we can’t even begin to articulate that we
long for in our hearts. What’s more, He cares. The Spirit of God
also knows His will for our lives. God’s Spirit pulls together
our heart’s desires and God’s will, aligns them and then prays
that alignment to come to pass!!
If we desire something that really isn’t Gods best for us, then
the Spirit can align our hearts so that we do desire His highest
and best for our lives. We don’t have to be afraid of God’s will.
His commands are not grievous and He loves us with a perfect
love. The Spirit of God uses wisdom to pray for what we need to,
He aligns our hearts with God’s, and He also prays for those
things we’re longing for.
Spiritual Warfare
Satan cannot understand what you are praying when you pray in the
Spirit. This gives you the upper hand and the advantage of
surprise. Praying in the Spirit is directly to God and no one can
understand the mysteries you are praying. When you pray in the
Spirit, you are getting out the big guns
“For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people
but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries
by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for
their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks
in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies
edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in
tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy….For if I pray
in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will
also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but
I will also sing with my understanding." (1 Corinthians 14:2-5,
14:14-15)
This verse is saying that in our repertoire of spiritual
warfare, praying in the Spirit has a very important place, along
with prophesying and prayer in our earthly language where people
can understand. This verse also says outright that praying in the
Spirit is the same as praying in tongues, and that praying in the
Spirit (or tongues) edifies you, and builds you up. Like an
indestructible house that still stands when the storm comes, we
should pray in the Spirit to build up our spiritual “walls.”
Building Yourself Up
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy
faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20
The Psalms record that David says he encouraged himself in the
Lord. Does that mean he prayed in the Spirit? We don’t know.
Maybe, maybe not. However, many theologians feel that Hannah was
praying in the Spirit in 1 Samuel. I shared that story with you
in a previous article. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard,
and the man of God, Eli, mistakenly thought she was drunk.
Hannah was in such distress that she didn’t know what she should
pray for. The Spirit prayed through her because she was unable to
find the words. Her heart’s desire was for a child, and God’s
will was to give her one. That’s why we don’t ever need to be
afraid to give our desires to God. If God ever tells us no…. its
only because He has something better. Hannah asked specifically
for a boy and she received one. The promises of God are yes and
amen. Everyone who asks receives; who seeks, finds; and who
knocks, it is opened to them!
Hannah was being attacked mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
She needed a way to pray directly to God without Satan being able
to intercept what she was saying and hinder her any further.
Hannah also had been torn down as a person, a woman, and even as
a wife. She desperately needed to be built back up. So her method
was to pray in the Spirit to use all the advantages of praying in
the Spirit to the very maximum.
We need to use the arsenal of resources God has equipped us with
to go forward in victory! This month, we are focusing on prayer.
It is vital that we spend time praying in the Spirit so we can be
illuminated, adjusted, empowered, edified and built back up. Life
will throw curveballs at us sometimes, and we need to use the
powerful weapon of allowing the Spirit to move through us to get
us the victory!
Some of you may be where Hannah was before she began to use the
weapon of praying in the Spirit. Some of you are in a state of
despair, exhaustion, confusion or utter fatigue. I hope that you
look at Hannah’s testimony and use the tools she did to regain
the victory and rebuild your life. May God bless you richly as
you go forth whole and complete, nothing missing and nothing
broken.
"What is praying in the Spirit?"
Answer: Praying in the Spirit is mentioned three times in
Scripture. First Corinthians 14:15 says, “So what shall I do? I
will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I
will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.”
Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be
alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” Jude 20
says, “But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most
holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.” So, what exactly does it
mean to pray in the Spirit?
The Greek word translated “pray in” can have several different
meanings. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the
sphere of,” and “in connection to.” Praying in the Spirit does
not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we
are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the
Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to
pray for. Romans 8:26 tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit
helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray
for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that
words cannot express.”
Some, based on 1 Corinthians 14:15, equate praying in the Spirit
with praying in tongues. Discussing the gift of tongues, Paul
mentions “pray with my spirit.” First Corinthians 14:14 states
that when a person prays in tongues, he does not know what he is
saying, since it is spoken in a language he does not know.
Further, no one else can understand what is being said, unless
there is an interpreter (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). In Ephesians
6:18, Paul instructs us to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions
with all kinds of prayers and requests.” How are we to pray with
all kinds of prayers and requests and pray for the saints, if no
one, including the person praying, understands what is being
said? Therefore, praying in the Spirit should be understood as
praying in the power of the Spirit, by the leading of the Spirit,
and according to His will, not as praying in tongues.
Bible Verses about Praying in the Spirit (KJV)
Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:
for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the
Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered.
Ephesians 6:18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and
supplication for all saints;
Jude 1:20 - But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
1 Corinthians 14:15 - What is it then? I will pray with the
spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing
with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
1 Corinthians 14:14 - For if I pray in an [unknown] tongue, my
spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
Matthew 6:7 - But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the
heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their
much speaking.
James 4:3 - Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that
ye may consume [it] upon your lusts.
Romans 8:26-27 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our
infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought:
but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings
which cannot be uttered. (Read More...)
Romans 8:27 - And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is]
the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the
saints according to [the will of] God.
1 Corinthians 14:4 - He that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue
edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.
Acts 2:1-47 - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. (Read More...)
John 15:7 - If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye
shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
1 John 1:9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith [it is] impossible to please
[him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
[that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be
made known unto God.
Ephesians 2:18 - For through him we both have access by one
Spirit unto the Father.
1 Corinthians 14:19 - Yet in the church I had rather speak five
words with my understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach
others also, than ten thousand words in an [unknown] tongue.
Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them
utterance.
Leviticus 19:31 - Regard not them that have familiar spirits,
neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the
LORD your God.
1 John 5:15 - And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask,
we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of
grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time
of need.
1 Corinthians 14:2 - For he that speaketh in an [unknown] tongue
speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth
[him]; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray, that ye enter not into
temptation: the spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is]
weak.
1 Timothy 2:8 - I will therefore that men pray everywhere,
lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in
all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord.
Ephesians 5:18 - And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit;
Galatians 5:16-17 - [This] I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye
shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Read More...)
2 Corinthian 9:7 - Every man according as he purposeth in his
heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for
God loveth a cheerful giver.
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies
of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy,
acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.
Acts 2:38 - Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of
sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
John 8:24 - I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your
sins: for if ye believe not that I am [he], ye shall die in your
sins.
Luke 18:1 - And he spake a parable unto them [to this end], that
men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
Matthew 6:13 - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us
from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, forever. Amen.
Matthew 6:10 - Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as
[it is] in heaven.
Psalms 66:18 - If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will
not hear [me]:
Psalms 40:5 - Many, O LORD my God, [are] thy wonderful works
[which] thou hast done, and thy thoughts [which are] to us-ward:
they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: [if] I would
declare and speak [of them], they are more than can be numbered.
2 Kings 2:9 - And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that
Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I
be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a
double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
Leviticus 20:6 - And the soul that turneth after such as have
familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them,
I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off
from among his people.
James 4:2-4 - Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have,
and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye
ask not. (Read More...)
Hebrews 11:7 - By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not
seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of
his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir
of the righteousness which is by faith.
Titus 1:6 - If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having
faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.
WHAT IS INTERCESSORY PRAYER?
By Betty Miller
Pastors Bud & Betty Miller on Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is the act of praying for other people. The
Lord instructed us to pray not only for our own personal needs
but to reach out and pray for others as well. We find an example
of this in 1 Timothy 2:1-6 where we are told to pray and to make
intercession for all men:
What is intercessory prayer? The Greek noun, “enteuxus” in the
Bible is the word for “intercession.” It primarily denotes a
“meeting with,” a conversation or petition rendered on the behalf
of others. “Intercessory prayer,” then, is seeking the presence
and audience of God in another’s stead. When we pray for the
needs of others that is called “intercession” or we are said to
be “interceding” for them.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a
quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this
is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the
truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and
men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to
be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6
Jesus was the greatest “intercessor” of all time. Isaiah 53:12
records the following prophecy about Jesus: “Therefore will I
divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the
spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto
death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bares
the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”
Hebrews 7:25 speaks of Him as a high priest that is still
interceding on our behalf: “Wherefore he is able also to save
them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever
liveth to make intercession for them.”
The Lord is looking for men and women today that are willing to
enter into this ministry with Him. He has always sought people
that would “stand in the gap” for others.
And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge,
and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not
destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine
indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my
wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, said
the Lord God. Ezekiel 22:30-31
The Lord does not want judgment to fall upon people. He desires
that they repent and return to Him. However, if they do not
repent, judgment is inevitable. The fruit of sin always has
penalty. Prayer for others causes them to repent and seek God.
Therefore, the Lord is always looking for those who will take a
burden of prayer for the wayward ones, so that they might come to
Him. He needs spiritual warriors who will selflessly intercede on
behalf of others. The ministry of intercessory prayer perennially
stands open for volunteers who will join the Lord in this work.
Through this ministry one can circle the entire world interposing
for the multitudes who have no one else to “stand in the gap” for
them. I personally do not believe the Lord will call anyone into
a public ministry unless the ministry of intercession has first
become a priority in his life.
There are many people eagerly wanting to do something for Jesus
while this important field of work stands wide open. It is
certainly not as glamorous as some other ministries, for no one
is seen or applauded in their prayer closet, and perhaps that is
exactly why there are so few volunteers. Even when people are
interested in serving in this form of ministry, there is often a
lack of knowledge as to the equipment and the keys needed to be
effective and successful in it.
Some of these keys are presented here in hopes that if you have a
heart toward God and are willing to become an intercessor, you
will know how to obtain many victories. Intercessory prayer,
being a ministry to others, is not something that directly
benefits us. It is essentially an outreach ministry. Through it
we can truly lay down our lives for others. As we are faithful by
sacrificing our time on the behalf of others, the Lord then takes
care of our needs. As we minister to others, the Lord ministers
to us. While praying for others, we cannot neglect mentioning the
added blessing of being in fellowship with the Lord. As the Holy
Spirit directs us in the ways we are to pray for others, we need
to keep in mind that He will always have us pray according to His
Word.
Negative prayers and judgment prayed down on people are not in
harmony with the Spirit of the Lord. God is continually extending
mercy and help. Some people in ignorance pray for God to do
whatever it takes to save someone. They pray such prayers as,
“Lord, if you have to break their back to get them to come to
you, break their back Jesus, take their business away from them,
but save them. God, if it takes a car wreck to save them, do it
Lord. Show them, even if they have to get cancer.” These are
examples of the way some ignorant Christians pray. They are truly
crimes against the heart of Christ. He came to save, not to
destroy and kill.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he
would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw
this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come
down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he
turned, and rebuked them, and said, ye know not what manner of
spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s
lives, but to save them. And they went to another village. Luke
9:53-56
God does not send calamities in order to bring people to Himself.
He tells us in His word that it is the Spirit of God that “woos”
and “draws” people to Himself. This is hastened as Christians
pray. John 6:44 says, “No man can come to me, except the Father
which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last
day.” Praise God for intercessors that stand against the enemy
and keep him from destroying the souls and lives of men, women
and children who need the Lord. The ministry of intercession is a
vital part of our Christian walk and we can never attain to
maturity and become overcomers by slighting it. I often use the
words “task” and “work” in reference to prayer because it is
never easy nor convenient to pray with any discipline or
consistency. We must remember that we have an enemy (the devil)
who is constantly trying to keep us from our prayer life because
he knows (better than most Christians) the damage done to his
kingdom through it. Let us never cease to pray for others and
thereby be those “intercessors” that God is looking for.
The Power of Intercessory Prayer
There are many ways to love one’s neighbor, but intercessory
prayer—praying on behalf of other people—has got to be one of the
most powerful.
Prayer is the most potent force known to humanity. Because we
have been made partakers in Jesus’ victory over sin and death (1
John 4:4), we have the authority as sons and daughters of God to
pray for others, pushing back the darkness of sin and oppression.
In prayer, we have a weapon that has “divine power to destroy
strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).
That kind of weaponry—the power of prayer— is something God
invites us to use as we seek not only personal transformation but
the transformation of the world as well. An intercessor is one
who takes up a “burden” that goes far beyond his or her own needs
and intentions.
And those who take up the call to intercession come to learn in a
deeper way that the sufferings of the present time cannot compare
to the joy that will come as God’s purposes unfold. They learn to
trust in the Lord, because they have experienced in prayer how
infinitely compassionate God is. Intercessors participate in
God’s magnificent plan to raise humanity to share in divine life.
This insight moves them to engage in a spiritual battle against
the forces that seek to destroy God’s plans.
The Letter of James tells us that “The prayer of a righteous man
has great power in its effects” (James 5:16), and there is no one
more righteous than Jesus—the most powerful intercessor whoever
walked the earth. Martha, the sister of Lazarus, rightly
declared, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have
died. And even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God
will give you” (John 11:21-22).
The Letter to the Hebrews tells us that because Jesus’ priesthood
is eternal, “he is able for all time to save those who draw near
to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession
for them” (7:25). Imagine that: right now, Jesus is in heaven
interceding for you, even as he intercedes for the entire world.
He also invites us all to join in his priestly intercession so
that a might flood of prayer will ascend to the Father’s throne.
So ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray in union with the
mind of God. Take to heart St. Paul’s words, “The Spirit helps us
in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but
that very Spirit intercedes . . . for the saints according to the
will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). And above all, ask God to give you
confidence that he hears your prayers and longs to answer the
deep needs of those around you.
Seven Steps for Intercessory Prayer
1 Since it is the prayer of the righteous that is powerful and
effective (James 5:16), examine your conscience before you pray,
and repent of any sin or harsh feelings you may have against
other people.
2 Spend a few minutes in silence, to quiet your mind and come
into God’s presence.
3 During this time, ask the Lord to give you a sense of the
things God wants you to pray for. Put aside your own agenda,
concerns, and desires and unite yourself to Jesus’ heart. You may
want to write down the things that God places on your hearts.
4 Briefly reflect on what you wrote down. What do you think God
is leading you to pray for?
5 Pray for the things on God’s heart—for those who have no faith;
for those who have fallen away from Jesus; for renewal and unity
in all the Christian churches; for respect for all life; for all
the lost, abandoned, or forgotten children of the world; for
those under the power of addictions or bound by depression,
anxiety, or bitterness; and for prisoners and service men and
women. And, of course, pray for your own intentions and those of
your loved ones.
6 As you pray, take confidence in God’s power to overcome any
obstacle. Stand fi rm in faith, and wait to see God work in
power.
7 In your prayer journal, keep a record of what you prayed for,
and of the ways God answered those prayers. Thank him and praise
for all the ways he has worked through your prayer.
Jesus promised: “If two of you agree on earth about anything they
ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven” (Matthew
18:10). One of the most powerful ways we can pray as intercessors
is together with others. Consider forming an intercessory prayer
team.
The final chapter of the Book of Habakkuk gives us a glimpse into
the heart of an intercessor, both in praying for a mighty
outpouring of grace, and in his abandonment and trust in God’s
provision. Let us take Habakkuk’s prayer as our own as we
intercede for the many needs of the church and the world:
O Lord, I have heard of your renown, and I stand in awe, O Lord,
of your work. In our own time revive it; in our own time make it
known; in wrath may you remember mercy
