Last night, as I laid down to sleep, I prayed that God would awaken me early the next morning so that I could spend time with Him before I had to go to work. I set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. I tossed and turned all night long. I woke up at three…..then at four….and finally at 4:30 I decided enough was enough and I got out of bed. (This was what I prayed for after all, thank You Jesus for answering my prayer!) I made my coffee, grabbed my Red Sox blanket (Don't judge ;)) and curled up in my dad's recliner with my Bible, my journal, and a few books. I've been so hungry for the Word lately. I've been wanting more of everything. More of Jesus, more knowledge of the Word, more goodness, more understanding. More, more, MORE!
Several months ago, I had started reading through a book on prayer with one of my mentors. The book is called "Becoming a Woman of Prayer" by Cynthia Heald. This book is so good! Anyway, the other night I started reading it again. We had gotten about half way through before I stopped. The chapter I read this morning was called "Intercessory Prayer" It covered the importance of praying for each other and just how mighty it can be! It started off by reading Ephesians 6:10-18. I'm not going to type it all out here, but I encourage you to read it, it's good! This passage is all about the armor of God. There was a quote listed after this reading assignment that struck me.
"That word praying is the climax of this long sentence, and of this whole epistle (Ephesians). This is the sort of action that turns the enemy's flank, and reveals his heels. He simply cannot start before persistent knee-work.
Now mark the keenness of Paul's description of the man who does his most effective work in praying. There are six qualifications under the figure of the six pieces of armor. A clear understanding of truth, a clean obedient life, earnest service, a strongly simple trust in God, clear assurance of one's own salvation and relation to God, and a good grip of the truth for others- these things prepare a man for the real conflict of prayer. Such a man– praying–drives back these hosts of the traitor prince. Such a man praying is invincible in his Chief, Jesus."
– S.D. Gordon
Prayer is a powerful thing my friends! It is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. So why do I have such a hard time with it sometimes? I mean, after all, when you pray you get to communicate with GOD. How privileged we are! We have full access to be able to speak with the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE anytime we want. It is so simple yet so mind blowing at the same time! And yet I still choose not to do it. I am "too tired" or "too busy". Really though, I am too lazy. I don't want to take the time. Goodness gracious. I am all too human, which is a wonderful thing to be reminded of. I can not do anything in my own strength. I can think "something is going to change eventually" all I want, but if I don't humble myself, get down on my knees, and talk to God about it, nothing will happen. PRAYER moves mountains. JESUS conquers obstacles. And just as I need to pray to God about things in my own life, prayer for other people is SO IMPORTANT!!
"Why does God need our prayers? If He knows what is best for someone, why doesn't He just do it without involving us? That's the other dimension of the oneness Jesus prayed for. He came not only to make us one with God, but to call us into oneness with each other. The reconciliation He died and rose to provide, and returned to impart, is both vertical and horizontal: it is with God and between us and others. That's why intercessory prayer is so crucial. The Lord wants us to be to one another what He has been to us in love, forgiveness, and unlimited concern. The mystery of it all is that often He will not bless another until we pray. When we do pray, His love flows through us to the other person." – Llyod John Ogilvie
Have you ever been talking to someone, maybe about a particular time you were struggling with something that you know had overcome? Has the person ever said, "Oh yeah! I remember that, I was praying for you!" Or have you ever had someone just walk up to you and tell you "I prayed for you the other day/today." Do you remember the feeling you got when they said that? I don't know about you, but whenever I have had someone say that it has touched me to my core. To think that someone was interceding on my behalf without me even knowing it at the time?God is so good! It does bring unity. Prayer is such a powerful thing!
"And I searched for a man among them who should build up a wall and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one." -Ezekiel 22:30
I am reminded of the call to prayer. Is God calling you to "stand in the gap" on behalf of someone else? It doesn't have to be anything fancy, anything long or wordy. God accepts us each as we are. He gives us our own prayer language. He hears them all. This morning, remember to take time to pray. If you don't know what to pray for, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you. Maybe a friend or colleague pops into your mind. Pray for them. God will teach you if you have an open heart. I am praying for you always, in the love of Christ.
Cheers,
Kayla <3
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you."
-Samuel 12:23
