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INTERCESSION AS SPIRITUAL WARFARE? FIND OUT MORE–FREE DEVOTIONS
DAY ONE:
God wants to bless His people,
but He often waits for them to intercede.
Prayer holds a critical place in spiritual warfare amidst hostile government responses to the Christian community.
A favorite message by Derek Prince is from Ezekiel 36:22-38. (Derek Prince, as many readers know, was an IFA founding father and early board member. His seminal book, Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting, informed much of IFA’s early vision of intercessory prayer as a strategic weapon in praying for revival and spiritual transformation in America.) Some readers no doubt heard “Brother Prince” (as he often referred to himself) bring this message and its startling application.
After Ezekiel’s numerous prophetic warnings about judgment for multiple backslidings and spiritual infidelities, the Lord God begins pronouncing blessings He will perform among His people for His name’s sake and for His own glory, so that His people and surrounding nations will know “I am the LORD.”
In these 16 verses, God lists at least 17 specific blessings that He will perform for His people—some long range and others immediate. He says through Ezekiel, “I will” do this, and “I will” do that. And then—abruptly, it appears—He says “…I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them….” (v. 37 KJV). Paraphrasing, other versions say, “I will do this, but I want them to ask Me or ‘plead’ with Me, etc.” The implication seems to mean, “I know what I plan to do, but I want My people to be fully engaged and fully involved through prayer.”
Derek Prince concluded his message with two thoughts: 1) that this language (“I will do this, but I want My people to pray and to ask…”) lies in the realm of mystery; and 2) that it was God’s loving heart to desire the inclusion of His people as He acted on their behalf. Later in this series, we will see this principle carried over in the New Testament, where God, through Jesus and in various ways, encourages His people’s participation in His acts of love and mercy as well as through in-depth prayers for the young church’s survival and expansion.
For Personal Application:
- If you are not keeping a prayer journal, consider starting one to record your requests and God’s answers. This will help you become aware of all God is doing in and through your prayers.
- Meditate on the thought that while intercessors do not control God, He invites, exhorts – even commands – our prayers; and it delights His heart to include praying believers in His purposes.
- Ponder the implications of Ezekiel 36:37. Although God is infinite and His ways are far above our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), we see from many Bible passages that He waits to display His power until His people pray. Ask God to help you be alert to intercessory opportunities.
- Consider 2 Corinthians 6:1. “As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.” Give thanks for your exalted position as a “co-worker” with God.
(By George Taylor, IFA Staff Writer)
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Comments
Please pray to bring my husband closer to God, get rid of anyone interfering in my marriage. Remove ungodly friends. Husband to return home and marriage restoration
Dear Lord God Almighty thank You for everything. Thank You for prayer. Lord I thank You for Your beautiful creation. I thank You for prayer. Please Lord continue to bless our nation with all the best things you have to offer. You are a kind loving generous God. I praise Your Holy Name Heavenly Father. May we be more like Your Holy Son. Please fill us daily with Your Holy Spirit to do Your will I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Oh Sovereign Lord, I am not your co worker, I am your servant. Father may we humbly come before You through repentance and faith asking You to hear our prayers. Oh Lord our God, Your ways are not our ways and we plead Your mercy on our souls to show us grace as we witness the unfolding of Your perfect plan. Use us Lord in whatever way You choose to reach the lost, to intercede for those that cant pray for themselves, to exalt one another in weariness and rebuke the proud. Father, as a nation we are far from You and as a group of intercessors we ask Your righteous anger on this nation to be used to turn us back to You. Raise up men and women with a voice and a spine to stand firm in the principles of our Declaration of Independence, thank You for the founding fathers in their wisdom in writing our Constitution & let us never forget that it is You alone that has allowed for every breath we breathe. Oh Lord, in Jesus name I pray for this remnant, and for this remnant to grow in holiness, committed to Your Word in fasting and prayer and may it all be used for our good and for Your Glory. Amen
Amen! Glory to God.
Praise God for His priceless plans and for allowing us to participate through labors, through giving and through prayer.