07/28/2020
As you started your day today could you feel the loving prayers of Jesus flowing over you as He offered them to strengthen your faith? Do you know that He intercedes for you all day long so that not only will you be saved from temptation, and strengthened in faith, but that you will join him in praying for others? Jesus loves us, and is our example in how to love and pray for one another.
“but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.””
Luke 22:32 ESV
I have a very good friend and brother in Christ who lives near Atlanta Georgia, and he, and his family, have prayed for me many many times. A few weeks ago he shared with me that his mother would be undergoing surgery today, and asked if I would pray for her. So, today I opened my eyes, and after I thanked the Lord for this day and His many blessings, I lifted my friend’s mother up in prayer, and included the surgeon and his staff by asking that they be given supernatural ability as they operate on her. Interceding for others in prayer is not our obligation, but an act of love for them, and a privilege for us. Most of the times I pray for others they are unaware, but today I wanted to use this particular prayer as an example of how we are to be Christ-like when we pray for the health, faith, and so many other needs of others around us. In our opening verse Peter had already been prayed for by the time Jesus made this revelation to him, and at the time of the prayer he was unaware that it was occurring... yet in secret the power of it was enhanced, and effective.
““Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,”
Luke 22:31 ESV
We are meant to listen to the needs of those around us, and pray for them accordingly. Jesus heard Satan asking God for permission to sift Peter, and immediately began to intercede for him. He saw the need, and without Peter’s knowledge His prayers of intercession were lifted up. Likewise, our prayers for another don’t require their knowledge, participation, or even that they be deserving of them, before they can be heard and responded to by God... they are much like God’s grace for us in this way, and the blessing we receive by praying in this manner heaps up rewards for us in heaven...
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
Matthew 6:6 ESV
God rewards us for our secret prayers, but it isn’t just the act of praying that He is rewarding... it is what is in our hearts as we do so. We are to feel love towards those for whom we pray. Most of us wrestle with loving our enemies, so let’s listen to how prayer should be offered for them...
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Matthew 5:44 ESV
God rewards us for what is in our heart as we pray for others. In this way our prayers are not an obligation any more than hugging, and kissing, someone we love is an obligation. No, hugs, and kisses, of love are an absolute pleasure to those who are doing so, and they warm the hearts of everyone who witness them... especially God.
“Brothers, pray for us. Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.”
1 Thessalonians 5:25-26 ESV
When we see two little children greeting each other with hugs and kisses offered in absolute joy and love, doesn’t it move us? Well, this is how God is moved when we pray with a love for one another. We are His children, and the apple of His eye...
“For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:”
Zechariah 2:8 ESV
So brothers and sisters, let’s pray in secret, pray in love, and pray all the day long, for one another. As we begin our day today, let’s begin it in a new and powerful way by praying in intercession for those around us; not just those who have asked us, those we like, or for our families, but also for our enemies, and those we struggle to like, and let’s offer up our prayers in love as we should. In this way we receive our reward from the Father.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for hearing and answering our prayers for one another, and thank you for your Sin Jesus who is our example in prayer, and who taught us to pray to you, and in intercession for those around us. Help us Holy Father to love our enemies, and those who we are challenged to love, so that our prayers might bring you glory, and reward us in so doing. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who knows our heart, and lovingly smiles as we embrace each other in prayer. Merciful are you in your answer to our prayers that are prayed in accordance with your will, and out of love. Great are you whose will is always perfect, even when we don’t understand it, and it is not our own. Give us a strength of faith in those times when we pray, and the cup we are offered is found to be bitter. Wash over us in love, and grace, Father when our prayers are answered as we have prayed them... united in your will. Praised be your name for every good thing, and every ounce of love you have for us. Amazing is your grace that allows us to pray without consideration for our deservedness, or that of others, but sealed with your gift of love to us. Hear our prayers today as we pray for the faith of your children, the salvation of those who are yet to believe, and the many needs of those who surround us. Increase us in love so that our prayers will be pleasing to you, and of great value in your eyes. Open the doors of your heart to our pleas, and reward us for our secret prayers which help secure our place at your table forevermore. Great are you, and greatly to be praised for you are our Hid, and your Holy Goodness is unfathomable, and eternal.
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.”
3 John 1:2 ESV
Rich Forbes