Topic: Prayer of Intercession [Archbishop Margaret E. Benson Idahosa] Above Only Daily Devotional 1 June 2020
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Prayer of Intercession
Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (GNB) … pray for us that the Lord’s message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honor, just as it was among you. Pray also that God will rescue us from wicked and evil people…
Colossians 4:3-4 (LB) Don’t forget to pray for us too, that God will give us many chances to preach the Good News of Christ… Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully and make it plain, as of course, I should.
Apostle Paul constantly prayed for believers (Rom. 1:9, Philemon 1:4). He prayed for their eyes to be opened to God’s hope, glorious riches/ inheritance and power at work in them, Eph. 1:16-20. He prayed for believers to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will and to be fruitful, strong, patient and joyful, Col. 1:9-12. The Bible says Epaphras was always labouring fervently in prayers for believers that they would stand perfect and complete in all the will of God, Col. 4:12. As we pray these kind of prayers both now and always for all believers, the mighty power of God will be made available for us and the glory of God will be reflected in our lives, James 5:16. Just as Jesus’ prayer for Peter preserved Peter’s life and faith (Luke 22:31-33), your prayers today will preserve and bless the lives and faith of so many believers.
After Apostle Paul encouraged believers to pray in the Spirit always and for all believers, in Ephesians 1:19 & 20 (NLT) he said, “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.” There are many ways the devil attempts to use people to threaten and frustrate the spread of the gospel of Christ but we shall prevail over them all. After being threatened for preaching the gospel, in Acts 4:21-33, the believers prayed and asked God for boldness to continue to do so and for God to stretch forth His hands and do wonders and miracles as they preached. God answered their prayers and the gospel spread all the more. Pray for utterance, boldness and for more doors to open for the gospel.
Prayer Focus:
Pray in the Spirit right now, lifting up all believers to God for preservation and grace. Pray for the rapid spread of the gospel of Christ.
Bible in one year reading plan:
- 2 Chronicles 17-19
- John 13:1-20