Why Pray?
In this day and age we are living in, all we have to do is flip on the T.V. or open a news paper for a glimpse of what is described in 2 Peter 3 or 2 Timothy 3. As we move towards revival, this should be the churches finest hour. It is our charge as believers to lift a standard to stop what the adversary is trying to do in this world. We once again need to, “contend for the faith once delivered to the saints”. We are the salt of the earth or the preservative in the earth right now. Unknowingly to many their silent prayers could have changed the past. But, what is not prayed will not be answered. God changes things by the use of our faith in prayer.
The bible calls Satan the god of this world in 2 Cor. 5:4. We can see His influence in all the articles and news cast’s. They broadcast terror, destruction, crime, murder, suicides and such. So many lives have been cut short and Gods will is that everyone be saved (2Cor.6:6). Our prayers individually or as a group can change things. Those prayers or intercessions can stop many things before they happen, they can preserve life. God wants to bring forward intercessors, people moved by the compassion and love of God to stand the gap between humanity and hell. People who will in boldness claim the salvation of the people of their neighborhood, town, city, state and nation.
We are as the “Body Of Christ” His authority here on this earth. We are what He has to work through. Our authority on this earth gives Him authority here, our intercessions give Him what’s needed to move in our midst for salvation, miracles and healings. Think of this. If all the Christians were removed at one time, what would be left? A spiritually dead race, giving the devil and His crowd the control. Right now because we are birthed from above, born again and seated in heavenly places IN HIM. We are in His body and we have authority here. We are in essence the “Salt of The Earth”. What we permit to happen because of complacency, indifference or selfishness affects our neighborhood, our town and our nation. We need to stir ourselves up about the things of God and not be so wishy- washy. We need fervor, a fire, and a Godly determination to see things through.
When Jesus left He gave the church the power of attorney to use His name and the word of God. The man behind the name backs the word we speak, not only that, but the character behind the man backs His name.
Hebrews 1:2-3
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds;
Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the majesty on high;
When we pray His word, He is the one backing it. Allot of the time Christian’s think they need to talk God into honoring His word. But, we really don’t He already honors it. He spoke it and He is upholding it. How? By the very work and completion of the cross and resurrection and the delivered blood that sealed our redemption. When we pray the word of God and line up with His purposes and intent in this earth. We release His power to change things here and now. Especially if what we are praying and believing for is by revelation of the word (logos), which has become to us (rhema).
Ephesians 1:22-23
And hath put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is His body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all.
In operating in the authority of the believer in prayer we must come to the full realization we are in Him. This is where authority in spiritual matters comes from.
Since we are in His body we have the same authority the head does. The head is the director. We are His hands, feet and voice in the earth. When we enter our prayer closet and set our faces to claim the lost what qualifies our prayer? When we want to stand the gap and be an intercessor what qualifies us? It is our position in His body as a born again Spirit filled Christian, whose love is supernatural, and whose Father is God. Not only this but we have His word on it.
Our spirit in contact with the Holy Spirit can be guided in prayer. This is past just our mentally prepared list of bless our pastor, God bring finances to dear sister so and so. We can come to the place in prayer that He guides us through a fellowship with Him through our spirit. I’ve seen many prayers answered quickly through being yielded to Him in prayer. Never ignore a prompting to pray or use scripture on someone's behalf. God may be looking for the one willing person to yield over their authority on this earth so the Holy Spirit can move through them on behalf of someone else. His love through us and for people is what moves us into intercession. We have that love in us. This love in us causes us to hate poverty, sickness, disease and everything born out of sin that affects humanity. Resulting in compassion. For Jesus bore the sin, sicknesses and poverty of the world. As believers we know people suffer under curse of spiritual death and this should grieve us for we know the truth. How free we really are and the price Jesus paid.
The Holy Spirit in intercession for the churches and other believers evidently moved upon Paul. He prayed in Galatians that, (Galatians 4:19) "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you." The Holy Spirit through Paul also said," prayers and intersections should be made for all men."
1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, INTERCESSIONS, and giving of thanks be made for all men.
Now these prayers of intercession as we can see are to be made for saved and unsaved. The unsaved that they would be saved. We are to pray for the saved so that they would be rooted and built up in Christ and knowing the ever extending love of God. Further reference to prayer exhorted for the believer is in Ephesians 6: 18-20
Ephesians 6: 18
Praying always with all prayer and supplications in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Paul goes on further in description to tell us to pray that the Word Of God be freely and boldly spoken. We should pray this for our ministers, pastors, evangelist and any other who are teaching or preaching.
In Acts 4: 29-32 we find the people of God in prayer in one heart and one soul. After they prayed the place was shaken and the word was preached boldly and many were added to the church. Why? Because God moved on their behalf in signs and wonders through the hands of the apostles. This should be encouraging seeing that our God does not change and either does His desire to see people brought into the kingdom. Lets pray and ask God for the same mind to come into our nation, churches and meetings for the purpose of salvation. AMEN!!
I hope this letter exhorts you to pray not only for your needs, but, also for the lost and other believers. Having a prayer life puts you in an area of expectancy to see God move. Remember we have the authority here , we have to use it in prayer and expect results. I hope this letter encourages you and blesses you. Please encourage people to attend Church and witness as He prompts, peoples eternity depends on it. Remember our prayers and intercessions can change the future.