Page 59 - The Importance of Prayer Student Textbook

thing as Proverbs 3. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 seems to teach us
that we do not need to worry about anything because we have prayer about everything.

So, no matter how small and insignificant you may think a situation or problem is pray about it. Let me
repeat myself because you may have hurriedly read over the last sentence. You worry about nothing
because you have prayed about everything. Everything, yes, everything. When you go to the market to
purchase food do you pray about your purchases? When you purchase clothing do you pray about it?
When you receive a paycheck do you pray about the proper use of it? When you turn on a television
show do you pray about it. When you speak to others do you pray that the fresh waters and fire of the
Holy Spirit would accompany your speech? (See James 2) In my opinion these two verses are perhaps
some of the most violated prayer passages because we are so full of self-sufficiency. We are like a child
who looks at their parent and says, I’ll do it myself. And God will let us do it ourselves, but it will not be
long until the words of the old hymn come back to our minds. What a friend we have in Jesus… All our sins
and griefs to bear… And what a privilege to carry… Everything to God in prayer… Oh, what peace we often
forfeit… Oh, what needless pain we bear… All because we do not carry… Everything to God in prayer… Have
we trials and temptations?... Is there trouble anywhere?... We should never be discouraged… Take it to the
Lord in prayer. We worry about nothing because we pray about everything.

Intercessory Prayer

David Earley defines intercession in these words. Intercession means to go between. It describes the act
of going to God and pleading on behalf of others. For example, Ezekiel 22:30 says, I sought for a man
among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should
not destroy it; but I found no one. God was about to send His judgement upon Israel. But before he did
this, He looked for an intercessor that would stand in the gap before Him on behalf of the people, but
He found no one. On the other hand, during the time of Moses God says this about Moses in Psalm
106:23. Therefore, He said that He would destroy them, Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him
in the breach, to turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.

E. M. Bounds said, “Talking to men for God is a great thing. But talking to God for men is greater still”.
(Ezekiel 22:30) S. D. Gordon said, “True prayer never stops in petition for one’s self. It reaches out for
others. Intercession is the climax of prayer”. Intercessors are known for crying out to God to break their
hearts for the things that breaks His heart. Intercessory prayers are often found to be filled with tears.
(Nehemiah 1:4, Luke 19:41, Hebrews 5:7, Psalm 69:9-10, and so many more) When William Booth the
founder of the Salvation Army was approach by some frustrated workers who were trying to open up a
new work Booth advised them to “Try Tears”. They followed his instructions, and they witnessed a
mighty revival. If you have never realized the importance of your intercessory tears for others look at
Psalm 56:8. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.
Don’t forget that one man’s intercessions had the potential to save an entire city. (See Genesis 18:22-
32) Persistent petitions makes a difference!

Prayer Partners

nd
It was said that before D. L. Moody began his 2 world preaching Conference that he had over 1 million
people praying for him. He attributes these praying saints to the success of this missionary endeavor.
Charles Spurgeon had people who would were praying for him under his stage as he preached. Spurgeon

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