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“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” 2 Timothy 2:1 (ESV)

Who is on your prayer list?  If you’re like me that list is ever evolving. However, I have had the privilege of praying for a sweet group of ladies over the last eight months.  Their names etched on index cards with handwritten requests for 2020. When I uttered the words promising to pray for them once a week every week of this year, I had no idea all that God would be teaching me in the process.

To be totally honest, I feared I would forget…you know like get caught up in my never-ending list of requests for me.  Sidetracked or worse simply offering up routine phrases – empty and devoid of passionate cries to our Father on behalf of those who had entrusted me with their requests. And yet, here I am today praising God for His Spirit leading and guiding me with prayers spoken. Trusting Him for His divine work and intervention in each of their lives.

So sweet friends what were some of those pivotal lessons learned along the way – here’s just a few:

• Praying for others deepens our compassion and love for that person
• Interceding requires seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance rather than relying on self
• When we don’t know what to pray – we can pray God’s word
• As we pray over requests look beyond the present need – press in for the deeper need
• Ask God for creativity in knowing how to pray
• Claim God’s written promises over each request
• Visualize the face of the one you are praying for
• Pray freedom and victory over each person
• Praise God for each person and for the growth that will be birthed out of the challenges
• Praise God for answering even if you have no idea when or how He will do it

And the list is endless – God is still stretching, teaching and encouraging me in this journey of prayer for others. If we have doubts about who and what to pray, God’s word is clear.  We are reminded to pray for our enemies and those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).    James 5:5 compels us to pray for those who are sick and need healing.  And I Timothy 2:1 invites us to pray and make intercession for all people.

The gift of intercessory prayer is one that costs us absolutely nothing except time.  It’s one of the best ways we can show God’s love to others and grow in our relationship with Him as well.

“Father,  teach us how to actively engage in prayer for others as we trust You to complete Your work in their lives.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life