The Power of Intercessory Prayer: Love in Action

Some battles aren't won by fighting harder—they're won by someone faithfully standing in the gap and praying.

1 Timothy 2:1-3

[1] I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. [2] Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. [3] This is good and pleases God our Savior.

I heard a question at church one Sunday that really got me thinking: Do you just complain to the Lord?

At first, I said, "No way, I bring up my problems and ask for help."

After thinking about it for a minute, I realized that is my way of complaining. I don't like something that I'm going through, so I bring it to God, like He doesn't know, and ask for it to be removed or fixed. I know I had the wrong perspective.

For me, this is abusing prayer and my relationship with God!

Sure, the Lord wants us to bring all things to Him, and He is always there to help, but our prayer life needs to be well balanced. Thankfulness, praise, intercessory prayer, then supplication. This is the order I am striving for because at all times I have more to be thankful for than I have time to pray about.

Praising God for His faithfulness, forgiveness, and goodness is key to keeping the right perspective and a humble spirit. Then the one I feel the Lord wants us to think about today is

intercessory prayer.

Praying for our brothers, our sisters, our pastor, spouse and family, the church body, and the list goes on and on. The point is, we show our love for one another through prayer and standing in the gap for them. The process is love in action, and in that moment you partner with the Lord in supporting and protecting the ones God put on your heart.

Deeply praying for someone allows you to empathize with their situation and help carry their burdens. Our outlook should turn to compassion instead of judgment. No one is supposed to go through life alone, and intercessory prayer creates a deep spiritual bond and helps us humbly walk alongside our brothers and sisters.

I know from experience that seeing my brother struggle is heartbreaking and I feel helpless. Intercession is sometimes the only tangible way to help people we love through a tough time. Bringing these things before God continually teaches us to trust Him and builds patience. Our faith will also grow seeing the Lord answer prayers and our hearts aligning with His during the healing and restoration.

Stand in the gap.

Thank you, Father, for one more day. Amen.

1 Timothy 2:4-6

[4] who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. [5] For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. [6] He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time.

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