how do you pray? part 4 - intercession. why should a man pray? sadly many do not believe that god...

How do you pray? How do you pray? Part 4 - IntercessionPart 4 - Intercession

Why should a man pray? Why should a man pray?

• Sadly many do not believe that God Sadly many do not believe that God answers prayer.answers prayer.

• The difference between a dead faith and a The difference between a dead faith and a living faith is action. living faith is action. (Jas 2:18)(Jas 2:18)


• (James 2:18 NKJV)(James 2:18 NKJV) - But someone will - But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, Show me your faith without your works, and I will and I will show you my faith by my worksshow you my faith by my works..


• When we see the need for something, we When we see the need for something, we will act. But what if we do not believe? will act. But what if we do not believe?

• Jesus addressed this in His ministry. Jesus addressed this in His ministry. (Luke 18:1-8)(Luke 18:1-8)


• (Luke 18:1-8 NKJV)(Luke 18:1-8 NKJV) - Then He spoke a - Then He spoke a parable to them, that parable to them, that men always ought to men always ought to pray and not lose heartpray and not lose heart,, {2} {2} saying: “There saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man.fear God nor regard man. {3} {3} “Now there “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’adversary.’


• {4} {4} “And he would not for a while; but “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man,do not fear God nor regard man, {5} {5} ‘yet ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest avenge her, lest by her continual comingby her continual coming she weary me.’”she weary me.’” {6} {6} Then the Lord said, Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.“Hear what the unjust judge said.


• {7} {7} “And shall God not avenge His own “And shall God not avenge His own elect elect who cry out day and night to Himwho cry out day and night to Him, , though He bears long with them?though He bears long with them? {8} {8} “I tell “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”earth?”


• In our previous studies we learned several In our previous studies we learned several important concepts of prayer.important concepts of prayer.

• Prayer may be divided into four elements: Prayer may be divided into four elements: Praise, Confession, Petition and Praise, Confession, Petition and Intercession. Intercession.

• Some may view God as "a great vending Some may view God as "a great vending machine". As a result they only have machine". As a result they only have prayers filled with petition. This reflects a prayers filled with petition. This reflects a wrong concept of God. wrong concept of God.


• Our motive in prayer must be for the Our motive in prayer must be for the accomplishment of God's will rather than a accomplishment of God's will rather than a self centered one. God wants us to make self centered one. God wants us to make requests of Him.requests of Him.

• If there was to be an imbalance in the time If there was to be an imbalance in the time spent in our four areas of prayer, it would spent in our four areas of prayer, it would be in intercession.be in intercession.

• Why did the apostles require a great Why did the apostles require a great amount of time in prayer? amount of time in prayer? (Acts 6:1-4)(Acts 6:1-4)


• (Acts 6:1-4 NKJV)(Acts 6:1-4 NKJV) - Now in those days, - Now in those days, when when the number of the number of the disciples was the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.the daily distribution. {2} {2} Then the twelve Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.leave the word of God and serve tables.


• {3} {3} “Therefore, brethren, seek out from “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of among you seven men of good good reputation, reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;we may appoint over this business; {4} {4} “but we will “but we will give ourselves continually to give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the wordprayer and to the ministry of the word.”.”


• If a faithful man regularly goes to God in If a faithful man regularly goes to God in prayer, does he then need others to pray prayer, does he then need others to pray for him? How would you answer this for him? How would you answer this question?question?

Do we need God's help ?Do we need God's help ?

• You may say: "That question is not You may say: "That question is not necessary, of course we do!" necessary, of course we do!"

• Consider the power in the gifts bestowed Consider the power in the gifts bestowed by God upon an apostle. by God upon an apostle. (2 Cor 12:12)(2 Cor 12:12)


• (2 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV)(2 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV) - Truly the - Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.and wonders and mighty deeds.


• Even with these gifts there was something Even with these gifts there was something that Paul needed that was beyond his that Paul needed that was beyond his power as an apostle, the intercession of power as an apostle, the intercession of other Christians!other Christians!


• Paul credited the prayers of Paul credited the prayers of otherother Christians for his deliverance. Christians for his deliverance. (2 Cor 1:8-11)(2 Cor 1:8-11)


• (2 Corinthians 1:8-11)(2 Corinthians 1:8-11) - For we do not - For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.strength, so that we despaired even of life. {9} {9} Yes, we had the sentence of death in Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,ourselves but in God who raises the dead,


• {10} {10} who delivered us from so great a who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust trust that He will still deliver that He will still deliver usus, {11} , {11} you you also helping together in prayer for usalso helping together in prayer for us, that , that thanks may be given by many persons on thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for our behalf for the gift the gift granted granted to us through to us through manymany. .


• Paul anticipated that the Paul anticipated that the futurefuture prayers of prayers of other Christians would deliver him at a other Christians would deliver him at a later time. later time. (Phil 1:19)(Phil 1:19)


• (Philippians 1:19 NKJV)(Philippians 1:19 NKJV) - For I know that - For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayerthrough your prayer and the supply of the and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,Spirit of Jesus Christ,


• Paul needed the prayers of other Paul needed the prayers of other Christians to open a door for him to teach Christians to open a door for him to teach others. others. (Col 4:2-4)(Col 4:2-4)


• (Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV)(Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV) - Continue - Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;thanksgiving; {3} {3} meanwhile meanwhile praying also praying also for usfor us, that , that God would open to us a door God would open to us a door for the wordfor the word, to speak the mystery of , to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,Christ, for which I am also in chains, {4} {4} that that I may make it manifestI may make it manifest, as , as I ought to I ought to speakspeak. .


• Here is a broad appeal. Did he really need Here is a broad appeal. Did he really need this? this? (1 Thess 5:25)(1 Thess 5:25)


• (1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV) - Brethren, - Brethren, pray for us. pray for us.


• Here both deliverance and the spread of Here both deliverance and the spread of the word are brought together. Will your the word are brought together. Will your prayer make such a difference? prayer make such a difference? (2 Thess 3:1-2)(2 Thess 3:1-2)


• (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV)(2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV) - Finally, - Finally, brethren, brethren, pray for uspray for us, that , that the word of the the word of the Lord may run Lord may run swiftly swiftly and be glorifiedand be glorified, just , just as as it is it is with you,with you, {2} {2} and that and that we may be we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked delivered from unreasonable and wicked menmen; for not all have faith.; for not all have faith.


• Their prayer would make a reunion more Their prayer would make a reunion more likely! likely! (Heb 13:18-19)(Heb 13:18-19)


• (Hebrews 13:18-19 NKJV)(Hebrews 13:18-19 NKJV) - - Pray for usPray for us; ; for we are confident that we have a good for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.honorably. {19} {19} But But I especially urge I especially urge you you to do thisto do this, that , that I may be restored to you I may be restored to you the soonerthe sooner..


• If an apostle needed Christians to pray for If an apostle needed Christians to pray for him, imagine the power within our grasp to him, imagine the power within our grasp to mightily do good for the Lord's cause! mightily do good for the Lord's cause!

• It makes sense to ask for God's help in the It makes sense to ask for God's help in the overwhelming and uncertain work before overwhelming and uncertain work before us.us.

• Example: A neighbor who begins a Example: A neighbor who begins a impossible job when help was only a impossible job when help was only a request away. request away. (Matt 7:7-8)(Matt 7:7-8)


• (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV)(Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV) - “Ask, and it will - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.knock, and it will be opened to you. {8} {8} “For everyone who asks receives, and he “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.will be opened.


• Because some have lost their faith, they Because some have lost their faith, they do not pray. Some of us may be like that. do not pray. Some of us may be like that. If the results are not instantaneous, we If the results are not instantaneous, we give up. give up. (Jas 4:2)(Jas 4:2)


• (James 4:2 NKJV)(James 4:2 NKJV) - You lust and do not - You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not Yet you do not have because you do not askhave because you do not ask..


• Do you think of others regularly in your Do you think of others regularly in your prayers? Do others need your prayers?prayers? Do others need your prayers?

Intercession in the life of PaulIntercession in the life of Paul

• Consider the churches that Paul prayed Consider the churches that Paul prayed for. for.

• (Rom 1:9)(Rom 1:9) - He prayed for the Romans - He prayed for the Romans ““without ceasing”. without ceasing”.


• (Romans 1:9 NKJV)(Romans 1:9 NKJV) - For God is my - For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that gospel of His Son, that without ceasingwithout ceasing I I make mention of you always in my make mention of you always in my prayers,prayers,


• (1 Cor 1:4)(1 Cor 1:4) - He prayed for the Corinthians - He prayed for the Corinthians ““always”.always”.


• (1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV)(1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV) – – I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,


• (Phil 1:3-4)(Phil 1:3-4) - He prayed for the Philippians - He prayed for the Philippians ““always in every prayer”. always in every prayer”.


• (Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV)(Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV) - I thank my - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,God upon every remembrance of you, {4} {4} always in every prayer of minealways in every prayer of mine making making request for you all with joy,request for you all with joy,


• (Col 1:3,9)(Col 1:3,9) - He prayed for the Colossians - He prayed for the Colossians ““alwaysalways” and later affirmed that those with ” and later affirmed that those with Paul “Paul “do not cease to pray for you”.do not cease to pray for you”.


• (Colossians 1:3 NKJV)(Colossians 1:3 NKJV) - We give thanks - We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christ, praying always for youpraying always for you,,


• (Colossians 1:9 NKJV)(Colossians 1:9 NKJV) - For this reason - For this reason we alsowe also, since the day we heard it, , since the day we heard it, do not do not cease to pray for youcease to pray for you, and to ask that you , and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;


• (1 Thess 1:2)(1 Thess 1:2) - He prayed for the - He prayed for the Thessalonians “Thessalonians “alwaysalways”.”.


• (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV) - We give - We give thanks to God thanks to God always for you allalways for you all, making , making mention of you in our prayers,mention of you in our prayers,


• These were not just generic prayers: "Lord These were not just generic prayers: "Lord bless all Christians''. He made mention of bless all Christians''. He made mention of them! them!

• What other churches did Paul pray for by What other churches did Paul pray for by name not mentioned in the Bible? name not mentioned in the Bible?

• Have you ever prayed for other churches?Have you ever prayed for other churches?


• Consider the individuals Paul prayed for.Consider the individuals Paul prayed for.

• (2 Tim 1:3)(2 Tim 1:3) - Paul prayed for Timothy - Paul prayed for Timothy “without ceasing”.“without ceasing”.


• (2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV)(2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV) - I thank God, - I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my my forefathers forefathers did, did, as without ceasing I as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and remember you in my prayers night and dayday,,


• (Philemon 1:4)(Philemon 1:4) - Paul prayed for - Paul prayed for Philemon “always”.Philemon “always”.


• (Philemon 1:4 NKJV)(Philemon 1:4 NKJV) - I thank my God, - I thank my God, making mention of you always in my making mention of you always in my prayersprayers,,


• How much time did Paul need for How much time did Paul need for intercession on behalf of others?intercession on behalf of others?

What our Intercession can do.What our Intercession can do.

• In areas like this the fruit is not easily In areas like this the fruit is not easily seen.seen.

• It may have been our prayer that made the It may have been our prayer that made the difference, but we can not be sure in this difference, but we can not be sure in this life.life.

• God wants us to do this on the basis of His God wants us to do this on the basis of His word alone! Do we have that kind of faith? word alone! Do we have that kind of faith? (Luke 5:5)(Luke 5:5)


• (Luke 5:5 NKJV)(Luke 5:5 NKJV) - But Simon answered - But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; all night and caught nothing; nevertheless nevertheless at Your word I will let down the netat Your word I will let down the net.”.”


• How much time out of your schedule will How much time out of your schedule will you take? Do you believe it will do any you take? Do you believe it will do any good?good?


• What are the greatest needs in the Lord’s What are the greatest needs in the Lord’s church today?church today?

• Greater Evangelism. Greater Evangelism. (2 Thess 3:1-2)(2 Thess 3:1-2)


• (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV)(2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV) - Finally, - Finally, brethren, pray for us, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the that the word of the Lord may run Lord may run swiftly swiftly and be glorifiedand be glorified, just , just as as it is it is with you,with you, {2} {2} and that we may be and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.men; for not all have faith.


• Greater knowledge. Greater knowledge. (Col 1:9-11)(Col 1:9-11)


• (Colossians 1:9-11 NKJV)(Colossians 1:9-11 NKJV) - For this - For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that that you may be filled with the knowledge you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understandingunderstanding;; {10} {10} that you may walk that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, Him, being fruitful in every good work and being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;increasing in the knowledge of God;


• {11} {11} strengthened with all might, according strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;longsuffering with joy;


• More Love for one another. More Love for one another. (Phil 1:9)(Phil 1:9)


• (Philippians 1:9 NKJV)(Philippians 1:9 NKJV) - And this I pray, - And this I pray, that that your love may abound still more and your love may abound still more and moremore in knowledge and all discernment, in knowledge and all discernment,


• A wise leadership that has come from A wise leadership that has come from strong, faithful Christians. strong, faithful Christians. (Phil 1:10)(Phil 1:10)


• (Philippians 1:10 NKJV)(Philippians 1:10 NKJV) - that you may - that you may approve the things that are excellent, that approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,the day of Christ,


• Strong homes.Strong homes.


• Are we seeing the Christian life as we Are we seeing the Christian life as we should?should?

• When you combine a belief in a living God When you combine a belief in a living God with an unselfish service to others you find with an unselfish service to others you find men and women who intercede on behalf men and women who intercede on behalf of others. Are you one?of others. Are you one?

• We may never know the great work the We may never know the great work the Lord has accomplished through us until Lord has accomplished through us until that day we see Him. that day we see Him. (Eph 3:20-21)(Eph 3:20-21)


• (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV)(Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV) - Now to Him - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly who is able to do exceedingly abundantly abundantly above all that we ask or thinkabove all that we ask or think, according to , according to the power that works inthe power that works in us, us, {21} {21} to Him to Him be be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.generations, forever and ever. Amen.

how do you pray? part 4 - intercession. why should a man pray? sadly many do not believe that god...

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