Tips for Intercessory Prayer ~ IXTHEUS

Admin Wed 04 Jan 2012, 4:49 pm

Tips for Intercessory Prayer

There are many ways we can pray as intercessors, but one of the most powerful ways is when we pray together. 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 18:19). Why not form an intercessory prayer team with some of your friends and learn how to pray for the church and the world in a deeper way.

To Intercede" means " to plead or make requests on behalf of another or others". also "seeking an audience with God to plead on behalf of someone else" {Webster's}. The Holy Spirit enables Christians to pray for extended periods of time with great positive effect for the needs of others, and the building of the Kingdom of God. All Christians have the right to intercede with God on behalf of themselves or others.

Below are some suggestions of how to intercede together.

1. Since it is the prayer of the righteous that is powerful and effective, examine your consciences before you pray, and repent of any sin or harsh feelings you may have against other people.

1 John 1:8-9 (KJV)
If we say that we have no sin,
we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
{9} If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 5:16 (KJV)

Confess your faults one to another,

and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Psa 100 (KJV) A Psalm of praise.
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
{2} Serve the LORD with gladness:
come before his presence with singing.
{3} Know ye that the LORD he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
{4} Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
{5} For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting;
and his truth endureth to all generations.

2. Spend a a period of time in silence, allowing the people in the group to quiet their minds and come into God's presence.

Psa 46:10 (KJV)

Be still, and know that I am God:

I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Hab 2:20 (KJV)

But the LORD is in his holy temple:

let all the earth keep silence before him.

Zec 2:13 (KJV)

Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD:

for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

3. During this time, let each person ask the Lord to give them a sense of the things he wants them to pray for. Put aside your own agendas, concerns, and desires and unite yourself to Jesus' heart. You may want to write down the things that God places on your hearts.

Luk 11:2 (KJV)

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say,

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

Psa 40:8 (KJV)

I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

Psa 143:10 (KJV)

Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God:

thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

4. Briefly share with each other what you wrote down. What do you think God is leading you as a group to pray for? Give special weight to those issues that more than one person shared as a similar thing to pray for.

Mat 18:18-20 (KJV)

Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven:

and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

(19) Again I say unto you,

That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask,

it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

(20) For where two or three are gathered together in my name,

there am I in the midst of them.

5. Be sure that you pray for the things on God's heart: for example tfor those who have no faith; for those who have fallen away from Jesus; for repentance and revival in the hearts of Christians; 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, for the enemies of the Cross, that God would give them conviction of sin and turning their hearts to Jesus.

1Ti 2:1-4 (KJV)

I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
(2) For kings, and for all that are in authority;
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
(3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
(4) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Act 17:30-31 (KJV)

And the times of this ignorance God winked at;
but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
(31) Because he hath appointed a day,
in the which he will judge the world in righteousness
by that man whom he hath ordained;
whereof he hath given assurance unto all men,
in that he hath raised him from the dead.

1Ki 8:41-43 (KJV)

Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel,
but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;
(42) (For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;)
when he shall come and pray toward this house;
(43) Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place,
and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for:
that all people of the earth may know thy name,
to fear thee, as do thy people Israel;
and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

6. As you pray, take confidence in God's power to overcome any obstacle. Stand firm in faith, and wait to see God work in power.

Mat 21:21-22 (KJV)

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you,

If ye have faith, and doubt not,

ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree,

but also if ye shall say unto this mountain,

Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

(22) And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Joh 15:7-8 (KJV)

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,

ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

(8) Herein is my Father glorified,

that ye bear much fruit;

so shall ye be my disciples.

Mat 7:7-8 (KJV)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
(8) For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth;
and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

7. Keep a record of the things you prayed for, and of the ways God answered those prayers. Thank him and praise him for all the ways he has worked through your prayer.

1 Chr 16:8-12 (KJV)

Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

{9} Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him,

talk ye of all his wondrous works.

{10} Glory ye in his holy name:

let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

{11} Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

{12} Remember his marvellous works that he hath done,

his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;

IXTHEUS CHRISTIAN GROWTH DEVOTIONALS

[center][center][center][center][center][center]ALWAYS FREE OF CHARGE
(but not necessarily free of COST)

[/center]
[/center]
[/center]

[/center]
[/center]
[/center]