Can You Intercede To Help Others?

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!  

Is Your Life Like A Toothache?

story by: lisa petrarca

My son had a terrible toothache, off and on for years. He was over 18, so unfortunately I couldn't make him go to the dentist...which he was deathly afraid of. But what he didn't realize was that below the surface, it was being eaten away, little by little. When the pain would subside for several months, everything was great, but suddenly the aching and throbbing would get worse, forcing him to face the fact that once again, there really was a problem.

Eventually, it became so severely infected that he had no choice but to go to the dentist. Unfortunately, it was too late to save the tooth. He'd waited too long to take care of the problem. Now it was going to have to be removed and a bridge built, costing him more money than if he had originally taken care of the problem at the first sign of symptoms.

Our life is often like a toothache. We let sin slowly eat away at our insides. Small things at first, things that we can justify. Things that we think aren't really a problem that needs attention. But slowly, it starts to take root, take hold of us, deeper and deeper at our core. The sin will often flare up, causing trouble, hurt and anger with loved ones or friends. But we push it down and continue on, not addressing the problem. But it's there, rotting inside of you.

You don't realize that you need to go to the source that can take that sin away from you, just like a dentist can remove a toothache, the forgiveness offered from our Savior Jesus Christ can remove sins grip. It's simple and costs nothing. Take the first steps, begin by praying, ask for forgiveness and ask the Lord to help you to overcome the sin. Then spend time daily, talking to Him, as you feel yourself becoming weak in a certain area, PRAY and read a scripture in the Bible (medicine to remove the ache of sin.) The Lord is faithful to answer, but you have to take the first steps and go to Him. Don't wait until you feel you have no other options and you've lost all that once mattered to you. You can remove the pain. Get down on your knees today. He's waiting to lift you up and carry you. His love for you is unending, HE CAN AND WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW.

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Ephesians 1:7 "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace."

Ephesians 2:1 "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when were were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

Jeremiah 15:19-21 "Therefore this is what the Lord says: If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you," declares the Lord. "I will save you from the hands of the wicked and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel."