A sailboat needs wind in its sails to move; without the wind it floats aimlessly around an endless sea. You also require something to keep you from floating without purpose. In life, you can get wrapped up in so many things and drift from one thing after another, never quite finding the right direction. Our wind is Jesus Christ. Everything we're searching for and seeking can be found in Him. The longing that you have inside is made whole when you seek a relationship with Christ. He is the wind in your sails. He is the one who will guide you safely to your destination.
Don't let your own desires cloud the truth. Whatever is going on in your life today, whatever answers, wisdom, direction or hope you need, the Lord is but a prayer away. Open up the scriptures and read all that He wants to say to you. It is your life compass, directing you. Raise your sails and wait for His loving guidance to propel you forward, gliding you swiftly yet surely to His perfect destination for you; His safe haven, His comfort, His love. Your trip is short, don't waste another moment floating aimlessly; Jesus, your Savior is reaching out to guide you at this very moment...RAISE YOUR SAILS!
“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken." John 2:19-22
"For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14
I've been thinking a lot about the need for intercessory prayer. The kind of prayer that has you standing in the gap for your struggling family members & friends, whether they know Christ or not. There are definitely a lot of scriptures which talk on this subject. But often, we never really understand the power we have in interceding on behalf of others. So I'd like to share a few scriptures that will help you understand a little more about what God says about intercessory prayer and proclaiming His promise over the lives of others. 1 Timothy 2:1 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;"
God's Words will never return void. He has left promises over the lives of each one of us. The key is to stand strong in prayer, faithfulness, and trust; believing that God is more than willing and able to turn a life around.
First let's look at intercession for addiction, which seems to be so prevalent in today's society:
In Isaiah 61:1 it says-"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me
to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and
the opening of the prison to them that are bound." People who suffer with addictions are captive, they are in prison and bound, but the Spirit of the Lord can set them free. John 10:10 says, "The thief cometh not,
but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
Next when looking at Spiritual Warfare, the battle that is taking place, we see in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Our prayers are coming up against the enemy. We need to stand on that truth and proclaim it with confidence in Jesus Christ who has already defeated the enemy. In Job 1:10 it further states to pray for a hedge of protection, “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land." It is important to enter into battle by praying for a hedge of protection around your loved ones as you continue to proclaim the Lord's truth over their life.
When praying for the sick, James 5:14-16 says, "Is
any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him
up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess
your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be
healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Your prayers are important. Your prayers make a difference.Your prayers are needed. Ephesians 6:18-"Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"
Don't ever underestimate the power you have in praying for others. The enemy will try to fill you with every excuse to keep you from praying for people in need. Don't shrink back! Don't give up! Healing is always in God's timing...He just asks us to continue to be faithful in praying & trusting. When someone comes to your mind, instead of thinking, wow, I haven't thought of them in years...it's time to pray for them. When someone continues to struggle with addiction...it's time to continually pray for them. When someone is sick...push ahead...keep praying for healing. PRAYERS ARE POWERFUL...they break chains of bondage, heal the wounded and bring people to the freedom of Jesus Christ. Someone needs your prayers today...it's time to intercede!
