Petitions For Others

Our activity in our prayer closet should include times of prayer for those around us

Going between to ASK

Intercessions are our prayers to Almighty God on behalf of others needs. There are many examples of this in Scripture and we are instructed to do the same—to pray for the needs of others—like a family member, an elder at church, a sick friend, a wayward teen, or those in office, in authority, or in government positions.

Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men. - Oswald Chambers

Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before. 1 Kings 13:6 BSB

All those around us have needs that only the Lord can answer—as do we, and so we pray on their behalf, that is we go before the Father and make requests for them of blessing, healing, protections, wisdom and so on.

The power of the Church truly to bless rests on intercession—asking and receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men. - E.M. Bounds

Many we know will not pray for themselves, some who cannot, and we place ourselves in prayer before the Lord and make a petition for them. We “go between” a person and the Lord God. From a Biblical standpoint, an intercessor is a go-between or an advocate who is a representative and who pleads our case to God.

The king in in the verse above literally asked—as another version says “Please entreat the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me…” This type of praying is to pray like our Savior—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Rom 8:34)

Intercessory prayer is an act of communion with Christ, for Jesus pleads for the son of men. —CH Spurgeon

While many of our prayers are likely for our own needs—spiritual and temporal, they are therefore selfish (focused on self), the very act of asking for others is selfless (focused on them).

Note that—according to on commentator, “the man of God besought the Lord; not rendering evil for evil; but being of a forgiving spirit, though the king had stretched out his hand against him, he lifted up his hands to heaven for him…” ¹ How much we ought also pray for those who persecute (stand in opposition) us.

Our activity in our prayer closet should include times of prayer for those around us. Intercessions, as much or more than acts of charity or service to fellow believers, may just be the blessing needed.

The work of intercession is the greatest work a Christian can do. Give yourself as a sacrifice to God for men, and the work will become your glory and your joy, too. - Andrew Murray

Let Us Pray For One Another

Pray that the people of God would: Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all [we do] be done with love. [1Co 16:13-14 NKJV]

And this [we] pray, that [our] love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that [we] may approve the things that are excellent, that [we] may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. [Phl 1:9-11 NKJV]

Amen

Until Monday, grace and peace

1. Exposition of the Entire Bible by John Gill [1746-63].

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