"Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." - James 5:16
When my kids were much younger, they often got a chance to hitch a ride to the store or to come along on errands. As we would make our way down the aisles of the store, one of my children would ask for a treat for herself. I most certainly obliged because this was my child and I love her. Seldom did she ever volunteer to make a purchase for anyone else nor did she ever suggest paying for something for me. Nevertheless, as a parent I enjoyed being able to meet her simple request on occasion.
Whenever it was my other child's turn to tag along, the most amazing thing any parent could witness occurred. He, too, would request some type of treat, but instead of selfishly seeking his own blessing he would ask for something for he and his sister. Not ever in our escapades would this child seek something from me without inquiring on his sister's behalf. Sometimes he even offered to pay for "their" treats and usually suggested that I get something for me too. This behavior was always peculiar to me because whenever I asked his sister why she never asked for anything for her brother she replied, "He should have come. I am getting something for me, besides I don't know what he wants!" (Sounds like what we say to God when he nudges us to pray for our enemies.) I must confess I was disappointed; I even suggested that my son get wiser by treating his sister the way she treated him. He refused; he told me that he didn't mind getting stuff for her even though she never did anything nice for him and he said, "Momma, it is the right thing to do!"
Imagine my embarrassment. My young child understood what many of us miss. We often go to God for ourselves; yes, we seek him for our needs, our spouses, our children, our family members, our jobs, our churches, our friends, and everything else that we see as part of us. But how often do we seek Him for someone else or more importantly for someone who has mistreated us, who would never pray on our behalf. Well, guess what? Jesus did; when we were terribly unfit Jesus asked the Father to forgive us for we didn't know what we were doing. That is some kind of love, mercy, and grace. that is one of the reasons God said Jesus was His beloved son, the one who He was well pleased with. The scripture says we get our healing / blessings when we pray for someone else. Wouldn't it be awesome for God to call you His beloved child because you are unselfish and He often found you caring for others who don't deserve it?
Focus
- Ask God to reveal people or situations you need to add to "your" prayer list.
- Intercede (pray for) some one who has mistreated or hurt you. Ask God to touch that person's heart and to save him or her. Don't pray a prayer of revenge because God said vengeance is His and He is a God of love (He pays them back by saving them which causes them to repent to Him every evil thing that they have done, including what they did to you.)
- Intercede for people you should be praying for but sometimes don't or those you have a difficult time consistently praying for.
- Ask God to show you how to pray for others before seeking your own needs.
- Reflect on people or situations in which other people may have interceded on your behalf.
- Thank God for using you as an intercessor. and ask Him to show you the power of intercession.
Remember
None of us deserved grace, but God gives us new mercies every day. Learn to focus on what is on God's heart and he will focus on what is on your heart.
Be Blessed!
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