February Prayer Briefing
A digest of notes on: intercession, earnest praying for others, calling on God, watching not sleeping, and a prayer book announcement
Our Prayer For You
And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore you, secure you, strengthen you, and establish you. To Him be the power forever and ever. Amen.
1 Peter 5: 10, 11
Prayer is Calling On God
It is helpful in prayer to understand that God the Father is approachable and that He wants us to come to Him in prayer – that is, to call on Him. Some examples from the Psalmists: Psa 50:15 ESV and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."
Spurgeon on Intercession
Using Job as an example, Spurgeon said that our troubles have purpose, and one in the case of Job was to defeat the devil. The Lord also tested Job’s faith, and to sanctify Job through these affliction; while another purpose was to show His own glory.
Then, in chapter 42 we read that Job was restored after he had prayed for his friends (verse 10). Job interceded for his friends, and what followed was the Lord turned his captivity. Intercessory prayer was the sign of Job’s returning to greatness, says Spurgeon.
When Job’s soul began to expand itself in holy and loving prayer for his erring brethren, the heart of God showed itself by returning his prosperity and cheering his soul within.
May we learn to imitate the example of Job by praying for our friends!
To that end, we will study his sermon in four parts over the next month. To begin, the exercise of intercessory prayer is highly recommended. Then, we are encouraged to enlist in it. Next, it is suggested as to whom we should pray. Finally, all believers are exhorted to persevere in the exercise of intercession for others.
From a previous Newsletter:
My Prayer For Today
Lord, guard my tongue in things I say, Let your son Jesus be my light today. Let each of my thoughts rest solely on HIM, From the brightening hour until growing dim. Then at such time when I become tempted, Just render those thoughts, as preemptive. For I’ve little ability that’s of my own, And will be accountable for seeds I’ve sown. AMEN
Selected Poem of The Day On Poetry Soup July 22, 2019 - Written: by Miracle Man
Copyright © Tom Wright | Year Posted 2019
Or like this post (the little heart button below). It would really help expose these to the Substack members.
Introducing our forthcoming book:
Always Earnest: Learning to Pray like Epaphras
We are putting finishing touches on a book that we will make available in the marketplace. It will contain 50 of our already published newsletter posts, but in an organized and familiar format.
It be available first in Kindle and also Audiobook forms, then later in paperback.
We are self-publishing this book, but working to make it as professionally published as we are able. Our prayer is it will reach a different readership than this newsletter and encourage more Christians to pray more for one another.
You can help! We will have a number of free promotional copies available and your reading them and leaving a rating and/or review would go a long way in helping the promotion.
Additionally, if you would share about it also with your Church friends. Who knows? The Lord may just use this to get another intercessor in a prayer closet!
More soon.
Until Monday, grace and peace…