If God is infinitely loving, all knowing, and all powerful, why do I need to be involved in intercessory prayer? Since He is already involved in everyone's life for their good, isn't He already doing all that needs to be done? While we may never understand all the issuesinvolved, the following principles about God's call for us to intercede do seem clear:
A. Intercession is our Lord's plan and command for us.
1. Jesus called us to intercession - Luke 11:1-13
a. Jesus teaches the disciples to intercede in the Lord's prayer.
Luke 11:1-4
b. He stresses the importance of persistent intercession in the parable of
the persistent friend. Luke 11:5-8
c. He promises it will be effective:
"And I say unto you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will
find; knock and it will be opened unto you. For everyone who asks
receive, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be
opened." Luke 11:9-10
d. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will be given "to those who ask Him!"
Luke 11:11-13
2. Jesus Himself interceded much.
a. He was often found in prayer - Mark 1:35, Luke 11:1
b. He interceded much for his followers - John 17
3. The prophets also confirm it is God's plan.
a. Paul - "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men...For this is
good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."
I Timothy 2:1-3
b. James - "...You do not have because you ask not." James 4:2 Intercessory prayer works!!! - Taste and see!
1. "Now this is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us,whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." 1 John 5:14-15
Pray in faith, claiming the promises of God's word.
1. Claim His promises - "...by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2
Peter 1:4
2. Give thanks in advance of seeing the answer -
a. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7
Unite with others in intercession for greater power.
1. "Again, I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Matthew 18:19-20
Be persistent and don't give up!
1. "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving." Col. 4:2
The priority of personal time with God.
“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” John 15:7
Trust God - He always answers - but sometimes He says "No" or "Wait."

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