Standing in the Gap: Our Call to Intercession

🙏 The Power of Prayer: Drawing Near to the Father

Prayer is powerful, but not because of the person praying.

The power flows directly from the Holy Spirit, who lives in every believer. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He sends the Spirit to teach us, remind us of God's Word, and powerfully aid us in our worship and prayer. This divine connection is what makes prayer effective.

The True Purpose: Aligning with God’s Will

True prayer isn't simply about getting what we want; it's about aligning our will with God's perfect will.

The Apostle John gives us this rock-solid confidence:

“And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

That said, our heavenly Father is a generous giver! Jesus assures us:

“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)

God is happy to meet our needs and give good gifts, but we must first check our hearts. James cautions us:

"You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions." (James 4:3)

A moment of sincere self-reflection ensures our heart is set on Him before we ask for anything.

The Mechanism of Faith

Faith is not optional in prayer—it is the key requirement. Hebrews 11:6 makes this clear:

"...without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him."

We must approach the throne of grace with unwavering confidence that God hears and acts. Jesus emphasized this:

“...whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)

When we pray in alignment with God’s will, we must make our requests in the name of Jesus. This isn't a magic formula; it means praying with the authority and character of Christ, seeking His glory above all else. Jesus promised:

“And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

Our requests should be made according to His will, with true faith, and under the authority of Christ Jesus. When we do this, our joy will be full (John 16:24).

The Approach: Following the Lord's Example

When we approach the Father, we should come with a humble and thankful heart. The Psalms lay out the perfect path:

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.” (Psalm 100:4-5)

Jesus gave us the ultimate blueprint for this approach in Matthew 6 (often called the Lord's Prayer). It’s an outline that guides us:

• Praise and Reverence: Start by praising our Father and seeking His will above all else: “Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done…”

• Requesting Needs: Humbly ask Him to meet our daily, physical, and spiritual needs: “Give us our daily bread.”

• Forgiveness and Deliverance: Seek forgiveness and remember that we must extend that same forgiveness to others. Ask for strength to escape temptation and evil.

Standing in the Gap, Pointing to the King

It is a profound blessing and a solemn responsibility to be called to intercessory prayer, to "stand in the gap." We see this theme throughout Scripture, as when Moses stood before God on behalf of Israel (Psalm 106:23).

Be assured, I take this responsibility seriously.

When you leave your prayer request below, I commit to standing with you in prayer, bringing your request before the throne of grace. But please, know this truth above all: All power to answer prayer belongs to God alone, through Christ Jesus. I am merely a fellow believer pointing the way to the Father, who hears every genuine cry.

You are not alone. Please, leave your requests and know that they will be lifted up to the only One who can answer. Click Here to Leave Your Prayer Requests.

For His Glory in Every Thread™