For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Colossians 1:9 (NKJV)
If there is one thing I've learned working in the Church, it's that it is very much like an emergency room. People are continually coming in with emergencies, and injuries, albeit spiritual ones mostly. The Spiritual warfare from the enemy is never ending, and the carnage of broken and destroyed relationships, chemical dependencies, pornographic addictions, and financial crisis seem to be waging their own personal war to see which one can claim more Christian walks.
There are times where I feel as though the church is a Spiritual M.A.S.H. unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). As soon as one is patched up, another one comes through the door. Here me in this; I wouldn't change what I do for anything, and I have to admit, with God's help it is humbling at best and in my own strength, it is overwhelming. God is showing me balance, and I am learning when I am at my weakest, He is strong, and His strength is shown in all its glory it truly is amazing.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
Another thing I've learned is we all have been given an amazing ability to help others. All too often people feel as though this is the job and responsibility of the Pastors, Elders, Counselors, and other various church workers, and in essence, this is true. But helping and attending to the needs was never to be the sole job of just a chosen few by man - it is God's will each of those He has chosen participate. All that is needed is the humble heart of a servant and the willingness to allow God to accomplish His will through us. After all, we can do nothing on our own.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NKJV)
Perhaps the greatest gift given to every Christian is the right to come directly to God and to speak to Him through the modem of prayer. Prayer is our access link to God's mighty power and agape love. And it is through prayer where we will truly be able to help others in their times of need. Whenever people come to me and tell me to pray for others, I will usually stop and join with them right then and there. Often, they are shocked. It's as if they know it is the right thing to do, but they don't feel as though their prayer would be sufficient. This is garbage, and it is a lie from the enemy.
As long as we don't have any unconfessed sin in our life, our prayer can be as potent as any person of the faith. It is our trust in the one who can answer, that moves our faith to intercede in prayer. We can look to the Book of Colossians to see this type of intercessory prayer at work by the Apostle Paul. Paul addressed all who were in the Church in Colossi. And he wanted them to know he was praying for them, so they in turn would be equipped for ministry, and would be able to pray for others. In the opening page of this Book, we can see Paul's prayer, and it is one we can emulate as we see others who are struggling.
Paul prays for the Colossian believers to be filled with God's knowledge, so they would know God's will for their lives. He asks God to give them Spiritual wisdom and understanding - to live a life worthy of the Lord, and to please Him in Every way. The result, Paul says, it to be "Strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father" (See Col. 1:9-12).
Paul's intercession was not a random act on his part; it was his way of imitating God (See Eph. 5:1). We are told in Romans 8:26-27 the Holy Spirit is making intercession through prayer on our behalf when we pray for others, and that He prays according to what the Father tells Him to pray. And in Romans 8:34, we are told Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, and He is making intercession for us as well.
Hey Christian, God has designed you to be a part of ministry. God has told us to pray continuously for others. The enemy is going to attempt to distract us to look to our own problems or interests to try and dissuade us from utilizing the power of God to transform lives. The enemy is going to lie to us and tell us our prayers are powerless and we are not worthy to pray, or we are not good enough. He is a liar!
Let's tap into the power of God and begin to change lives one prayer at a time. Don't stop because you don't see an immediate answer to your prayer. People have free will, and can choose not to repent even when we are praying for them, but this should never cause us to quit praying. Pray as if your very life depended on it, knowing theirs very well might. Know this - someone prayed for you and is probably still praying for you. We all should be saying, "
there, for the Grace of God, go I", when looking at others who are going through trials.
Pray without ceasing, 1Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: According to 1Thessalonians, how often should we pray?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you think of 10-people to pray for?
APPLICATION: Pray for God to tell you whom He would like for you to intercede for. It can be a prodigal child (Yours or someone else's), it can be someone's marriage, or just about any number of things. Make a prayer list, and continue to pray as the Spirit leads you. Watch and record what happens.
If there is one thing I've learned working in the Church, it's that it is very much like an emergency room. People are continually coming in with emergencies, and injuries, albeit spiritual ones mostly. The Spiritual warfare from the enemy is never ending, and the carnage of broken and destroyed relationships, chemical dependencies, pornographic addictions, and financial crisis seem to be waging their own personal war to see which one can claim more Christian walks.
There are times where I feel as though the church is a Spiritual M.A.S.H. unit (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital). As soon as one is patched up, another one comes through the door. Here me in this; I wouldn't change what I do for anything, and I have to admit, with God's help it is humbling at best and in my own strength, it is overwhelming. God is showing me balance, and I am learning when I am at my weakest, He is strong, and His strength is shown in all its glory it truly is amazing.
And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)
Another thing I've learned is we all have been given an amazing ability to help others. All too often people feel as though this is the job and responsibility of the Pastors, Elders, Counselors, and other various church workers, and in essence, this is true. But helping and attending to the needs was never to be the sole job of just a chosen few by man - it is God's will each of those He has chosen participate. All that is needed is the humble heart of a servant and the willingness to allow God to accomplish His will through us. After all, we can do nothing on our own.
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NKJV)
Perhaps the greatest gift given to every Christian is the right to come directly to God and to speak to Him through the modem of prayer. Prayer is our access link to God's mighty power and agape love. And it is through prayer where we will truly be able to help others in their times of need. Whenever people come to me and tell me to pray for others, I will usually stop and join with them right then and there. Often, they are shocked. It's as if they know it is the right thing to do, but they don't feel as though their prayer would be sufficient. This is garbage, and it is a lie from the enemy.
As long as we don't have any unconfessed sin in our life, our prayer can be as potent as any person of the faith. It is our trust in the one who can answer, that moves our faith to intercede in prayer. We can look to the Book of Colossians to see this type of intercessory prayer at work by the Apostle Paul. Paul addressed all who were in the Church in Colossi. And he wanted them to know he was praying for them, so they in turn would be equipped for ministry, and would be able to pray for others. In the opening page of this Book, we can see Paul's prayer, and it is one we can emulate as we see others who are struggling.
Paul prays for the Colossian believers to be filled with God's knowledge, so they would know God's will for their lives. He asks God to give them Spiritual wisdom and understanding - to live a life worthy of the Lord, and to please Him in Every way. The result, Paul says, it to be "Strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, so that you may have great endurance and patience, joyfully giving thanks to the Father" (See Col. 1:9-12).
Paul's intercession was not a random act on his part; it was his way of imitating God (See Eph. 5:1). We are told in Romans 8:26-27 the Holy Spirit is making intercession through prayer on our behalf when we pray for others, and that He prays according to what the Father tells Him to pray. And in Romans 8:34, we are told Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God, and He is making intercession for us as well.
Hey Christian, God has designed you to be a part of ministry. God has told us to pray continuously for others. The enemy is going to attempt to distract us to look to our own problems or interests to try and dissuade us from utilizing the power of God to transform lives. The enemy is going to lie to us and tell us our prayers are powerless and we are not worthy to pray, or we are not good enough. He is a liar!
Let's tap into the power of God and begin to change lives one prayer at a time. Don't stop because you don't see an immediate answer to your prayer. People have free will, and can choose not to repent even when we are praying for them, but this should never cause us to quit praying. Pray as if your very life depended on it, knowing theirs very well might. Know this - someone prayed for you and is probably still praying for you. We all should be saying, "
there, for the Grace of God, go I", when looking at others who are going through trials.
Pray without ceasing, 1Thessalonians 5:17 (NKJV)
STUDY QUESTION: According to 1Thessalonians, how often should we pray?
PERSONAL INVENTORY: Can you think of 10-people to pray for?
APPLICATION: Pray for God to tell you whom He would like for you to intercede for. It can be a prodigal child (Yours or someone else's), it can be someone's marriage, or just about any number of things. Make a prayer list, and continue to pray as the Spirit leads you. Watch and record what happens.
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