We know how to "say our prayers," but do we know how to hear from God? Wrestle with God? Abide in God? This series will dig deeper into five aspects of prayer and offer practical advice on how to go deeper in communion with God by His Spirit.

Prayer is the most central and fundamental component of our relationship with Jesus, yet sometimes we often stay in the proverbial shallow end of the pool. Today, we begin a new series called Deeper. In this series, over the next five weeks, we will look at how to go deeper in prayer. Each week, we will take one element of prayer and explore how to practice it. We’ll be looking at talking to God, abiding with God, listening to God, wrestling with God and interceding with God. One member of the clergy will be teaching each week and today we complete this series with the subject of how to intercede with God with the Rev. Jane Ferguson. We hope you have enjoyed this series and that it draws you deeper into your relationship with God.

The Rev. Dr. Suse E. McBay, Ph.D.
Associate for Adult Christian Education and Prayer Ministries
Please do not reply to this email.
To respond to this Bible study, please email
the Rev. Jane Ferguson at jferguson@stmartinsepiscopal.org.
Week 5: Interceding with God (How to Pray for Others)


Introduction
How often have you experienced the following:
         
  • Often we say, “I’ll pray for you,” and, if we are honest, immediately forget all about it.
  • We comment with “thoughts and prayers” on a Facebook post.
  • We think of someone in need, but don’t actually stop to pray.
  • We have a conversation when we feel we should offer to pray for someone–and maybe we do actually do it–but it feels awkward doing it then and there.

It’s easier to say we’ll pray, but harder to do. Yet, interceding for others is an important part of the Christian life.

Why should we pray?
“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. 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.”
1 Timothy 2:1–4

We should pray for people because:

  • We are commanded to in scripture.
  • It actually makes a difference!

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. “You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
Luke 11:9–13

How should we pray?

Persistently! It is okay to ask for something more than once. (e.g. The Persistent Widow in Luke 18)
Honestly. We can pray for people out of frustration at their behavior. We can pray when we are angry with God because someone we love is not being healed. We can pray for courage to forgive someone or courage to walk away when we are hurt.

If you feel led to pray for individuals, but do not have a specific need:

  • Give thanks for them.
  • Ask God to meet their needs.
  • Ask God to deepen their relationship with them. (I will explain this in a minute.)

If you know of a specific need:

  • Pray for that need.
  • Ask God to reveal how you can help.
  • Do not give up asking until you see progress, healing or a resolution.
  • D.L. Moody prayed daily for 100 of his friends to come to know Christ. During his life, 96 of those friends gave their lives to Christ and, at his funeral, the final four gave their lives.

Then, finally, LISTEN! Whenever we pray for people, we should take time to listen to God, to wait and see what He may want to say to us through:

  • A thought that pops into your head.
  • An unexpected picture or image.
  • A song or scripture.

A Challenge: (And it really is worth watching the recording for this bit!)
PRAY FOR PEOPLE RIGHT NOW!

  • Ask them about what they would like you to pray: topics, relationships, etc.
  • If they want physical healing, you could put a hand on that place if it is appropriate, or just rest a hand on their back or shoulder–not too much pressure!
  • Thank God for them.
  • Ask God to meet their needs/heal their bodies.
  • Wait.
  • After the prayer and taking time to listen and reflect, ask them if anything has changed or how they feel.
  • Pray again if they would like you to.

I hope this offers some helpful and practical tools!