Good Morning Informed Pray-er! Please Lord! Teach us to pray and inform our prayers! Thanks! Amen!
Seems the Lord wants us to continue to focus on prayer and learning how to better and to releasing His power in prayer. We win battles from our knees. Prayer in forms our step and prepares us for the day. Prayer can tear down principalities and powers and cover and protect from evil. Pease continue to pray and keep asking God to make us a House of Prayer for the Nations and to direct our steps and lead us to good and lasting fruit. Thanks! And don't forget...Jesus is praying and interceding for you and us as well! Father, Your Kingdom come and will be done in, through and around me . Amen! Check out these devos and blogs for !
ODB:
The Prayers of Jesus
I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. Luke 22:32
Jesus, how are You praying for me? I’d never thought to ask that question until my friend Lou shared the experience of his heart-cry to Christ when he was faced with a situation that required more wisdom and strength than he was able to muster. Hearing him voice that noteworthy question in prayer has helped me add a fresh dimension to my understanding and practice of prayer.
In Luke 22, there was no mystery as to how Jesus was praying for Simon Peter: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail” (vv. 31-32). When Peter was battered through trial, his faith flickered. But because of Christ’s grace, it didn’t fail.
The book of Acts tells us how Jesus’ prayers for Peter—His eager but weak disciple—were answered. God used him to preach the good news about Christ to Jews and gentiles alike. And Jesus’ prayer ministry hasn’t ended. Paul reminds us that “Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). When you find yourself in the throes of trial or temptation, remember that Jesus, who prayed for His disciples, remains in prayer for those who have believed their message about Him (see John 17:13-20).
By Arthur Jackson
REFLECT & PRAY
How does remembering that Jesus is praying for you affect how you pray? In view of His prayer ministry, how might you live and serve differently?
Dear Jesus, thank You for Your prayers on my behalf. Please help me to pray and live with this awareness.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Satan had to ask Christ for permission to test Peter and was permitted to sift him “as wheat” (Luke 22:31). This would entail forceful shaking, but Satan wasn’t allowed to destroy Peter. On the contrary, this sifting would remove the chaff from his life. This is reminiscent of Satan asking for God’s permission to test Job (Job 1:9-12; 2:3-6) and Job affirming that “when [God] has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (23:10).
Jesus’ sovereignty is evident in His prayers that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail (Luke 22:32). His courage failed, however, as he denied knowing Christ three times (vv. 54-62). But though he momentarily faltered, his faith didn’t fail. Jesus’ prayer that Peter would turn back to strengthen his brothers (v. 32) was fulfilled when he repented (v. 62). He was later restored and commissioned by Christ to pastoral ministry (John 21:15-17). We can be encouraged when we remember that Christ also prays for us.
“Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
With all that has been happening in our nation, it eventually becomes very easy to allow our attention to be diverted back to what we call "normal." Unfortunately, "normal" often means life without God and without a dependence upon Him in prayer. I believe it is vital for us to hold on to our first response - - the response of prayer.
The Church desperately needs to both issue and respond to a new call for extraordinary prayer. Extraordinary prayer goes beyond the normal expectations of the past. It is prayer that can bring God’s power to bear on a whole new world facing us--a world of uncertainty, fear and war.
The Bible records times of extraordinary prayer like this. One good example occurred in the Book of Esther. The crisis there concerned the lives of every Jew held captive in Babylon. A decree had been issued that would result in genocide for the Jews. Queen Esther was going to risk her life by going to the King on behalf of her people; however, before she went, she called her people to three days of prayer and fasting for her mission. Extraordinary prayer brought about extraordinary deliverance.
The Book of Ezra gives another good example of extraordinary prayer. Ezra was preparing to lead a group of the exiles back from Babylon to Jerusalem. The king had even offered troops for protection on the perilous journey. But Ezra had refused the troops, pointing out that God Himself would protect them. As the people gathered, Ezra began to realize how dangerous the trip would be and that they should not merely presume upon God’s protection. So he called the people to humble themselves and pray and fast over the journey. God heard their prayers and gave them safe passage to their destination.
Father, so often prayer is my last resort instead of my first response. In many churches week after week, prayer is often relegated to a brief recitation before and after the offering when seeking Your face should be our first priority. Show me…show Your people how to engage in heart-felt, passionate prayer that draws us into Your throne room and produces the extraordinary answers that You long to give us! May we be continually hungry for a deeper relationship with You so that our prayers are expressed from hearts that know You well. May our response to adversity or struggle always be to come to You before worrying or taking matters into our own hands. Teach us how to be men, women and children who continually engage You in prayer.
--Adapted from the article A New Call for Extraordinary Prayer by Dave Butts, co-author of Pray Like the King: Lessons from the Prayers of Israel’s Kings. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
Prayer Points
Praise your covenant God for his abiding faithfulness (Deut. 7:9).
Give thanks that even “if we are faithless, he will remain faithful” (2 Tim. 2:13).
Confess any unfaithfulness you’ve allowed into your relationships with God and others.
Commit yourself to bearing the fruit of faithfulness through the power of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22).
Ask God to help you be a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
Pray that God’s covenant love would extend through your generation and on to generations yet to come.
Prayer Points taken from Patterns for Prayer by Alvin VanderGriend. This book is available at prayershop.org. Use the code CONPSP3 at checkout to receive an additional 10% discount.
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