YOUR CHURCH
Make prayer your first priority
Prayer-intercession is the one thing that should come naturally
to Christians, yet it is neglected by many. Intercession calls
the Christian to mediate, or to stand in for another, in prayer
with the Father. It is a privilege that we can come before the
throne of God and pray on behalf of another person.
Intercessory prayer is an activity that all Christians are called
to engage in. It is a ministry that must be elevated to the place
where it is for the entire congregation, not just for a few
people on a part-time basis. Every believer's spirit must say, "I
am responsible. This is my ministry. I am called to be an
intercessor."
Intercessory Prayer:
- is not a spiritual gift for a selected few. It has been given
to the entire Body of Christ to be used for God's kingdom.
Intercession is something the children, young people, young
adults, married, middle-aged, old, and the retired must all
experience.
- is for all members, regardless of their maturity in the
discipline of prayer. It is only through experience and
practice that intercessory prayer becomes learned.
- takes time. But all people have time, can make time and take
responsibility for intercessory prayer.
- does not require a specific personality. You don't have to be
monastic to have a strong prayer life. Your personality does
not have dominion over your ministry or your function in the
Body of Christ.
- is for all ages. Granted, the elderly often have more time or
maybe have a greater burden and know the power of prayer, so
they give themselves to prayer. But anyone who gives
himself/herself to prayer will become a prayer warrior.
- makes a difference. Some may question what difference one
prayer can make, but throughout scripture there are examples
of one person who made a difference, from Abraham to Paul.
Each time one person has stood in the gap, God has moved in
miraculous ways. God only needs someone to harness with Him,
partner with Him concerning anything he or she wishes to
touch in prayer, and the mighty hand of God can move in ways
that are far beyond human reasoning or human imagination.
From Seasons of Intercession by Frank Damazio.
Copyright (c) 1998 by BT Publishing, Portland,
Oregon, 1-800-777-6957. Used by permission.
© 1997 vinebranch@hotmail.com
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