Words by our Priest-in-Charge:

Prayer and Intercession is for every disciple

“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” James 5:13-18

Desperate people pray. No matter how spiritual we are, or not. No matter what religion we embrace. If we serve and worship the Almighty God of the Universe, do we not, as disciples of Jesus, have more reason to pray to Him? Contrary to the belief of some, prayer and intercession is not only for a selected few or the “spiritual”. After all, are we not spiritual sons of God? Are we not spiritual?

“The intercessor’s passion is prayer for others. The more we learn about such prayer, the more we realize God’s calling to intercede is not for just a few people but is an important part of every believer’s lifestyle. All believers can intercede.

And when you think about it, who could possibly be exempt, who would say they do not have Jesus’ anointing and therefore cannot pray fervently for others? Thankfully, all believers can pray fervently – all are equipped with born-again DNA and stirring to pray fervently.

The Bible meaning of fervent prayer often includes being “stretched out” in prayer. Fervency and confidence toward God, along with determination to see His will accomplished, can mean we are prostrate before God, abandoned to the purpose of praying for God’s hand and help in all manner of situations.

Intercession can also mean we shut in with the LORD when we pray, our focus the Holy Spirit’s leading in prayer woven with passion and emboldened with steadfast confidence in the One to whom we appeal.”

Adapted from daily devotional of Shirley Weaver Ministries