"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He many strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, many have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of the fullness of God."
( Ephesians 3:14-19)
Alvin VanderGriend in his booklet, Love to Pray, gives a "prayer ladder" using these verses to pray for others:
"1. Pray for inner strength by the power of the Holy Spirit.
2. Pray that Christ may live in believers' hearts through faith.
3. Pray that believers will be grounded in God's love.
4. Pray that believers grasp the scope of Christ's love- that is to grasp "how wide and long and high and deep" it is.
5. Pray that believers may experience the love of Christ.
6. Pray that believers may be filled with the very nature of God."
Pray this ladder for our pastors and leaders, especially. Often they encounter so many problems they feel overwhelmed by the needs of people. Use this ladder for intercession for people you are "standing in the gap" for.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe.
(Eph.1: 17-19a)
We all face trials and problems. One way the Lord uses these in our lives is to build our trust in Him, which increases our faith. Pray this passage for yourself and other believers. Unbelievers will see that our lives are different. When we pray for unbelievers, ask that the eyes of their hearts will be enlightened so that they may come to know the Lord. Praise the Lord for all that He has done in your life. Make a list of the ways He has worked in your life and keep adding to it this year. Use this as a praise list to start your day. Pray for wisdom and revelation to know Him better. Jonathan, in 1Samuel 14:6 said, "Perhaps the LORD will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or few." This is the Lord's great power working in behalf of His people. This year watch how the Lord is working in your life and add it to your list of praises and for His glory.
You shall have no other gods before me;
You shall not make for yourself an idol;
You shall not use the Lord's name in vain;
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy;
Honor your father and your mother;
You shall not murder;
You shall not commit adultery;
You shall not steal;
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor;
You shall not covet your neighbor's house, wife, servant
or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
(Exodus 20: 3-17)
Holiness is what God's people strive for in their daily lives. As we pray for our families and our neighbors, using the ten commandments will help to focus on holiness for the New Year. God loves to hear His words in our prayers. We know we are in His will when we use scripture as the basis for our prayers. Our sins fall under these ten laws, so asking the Lord to guide and direct our lives through these scriptures will be answered.
"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry."
(Psalm 34:15)
How do you go through times that are so hard you think you can't do it, even when you know the Lord, serve Him, and love Him? Knowing that others are praying for you and the situation is one of the ways that Jesus gives us comfort and hope. We must be sold out to prayer. There are times that all a person can do is weep. Prayer warriors take up the burden for that person. The Lord's ears are attentive to the cries of the righteous. Sin is always crouching at our doors, never giving up and going away. Pray for forgiveness of any sin and that the will of the Lord be done. People need the presence of the Lord in the situation and to know you are praying. Pray with the people and let them know you are praying for them. Jesus hears our prayers. They are a sweet aroma for Him.
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God the Creator (Neh. 9:6)
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The One and Only God (Is. 45:5)
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The Almighty God (Ps. 89:8)
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The Everlasting Father, The Ancient of Days (Dan. 7:9; Is. 9:6)
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A Loving God (1Jn4:16)
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A God of Justice (Ro. 3:26)
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A Faithful God (Dt. 7:9)
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A Merciful God (Neh. 9:31)
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God, My Refuge, My Fortress (Ps. 62:7)
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A Patient, Persevering God (2Peter 3:9)
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Eternal, Saving God (Jude 25)
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The Holy One (Rev. 4:8)
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A Personal God (Mt. 8:11)
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A Giving God (Jn 3:16)
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A Provider God (2 Cor. 9:8)"
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God, My Shepherd (Ps. 23:1-3)
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God, My Victory (2Cor. 2:14)
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God, My Peace (Ro. 16:20)
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The God Who Heals (Ex. 15:26
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The God of All Comfort (2 Cor. 1:3)
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The God of Miracles (Ps. 77:14)
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A Forgiving God (Neh. 9:17)
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The Burden Bearer (Ps. 68:19)
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A Faithful God (Lam. 3:23)
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King of Kings and Lord of Lords (1Tim. 6:15)
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God the Liberator (Ps. 70:5)
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The Lifter of My Head (Ps. 3:3)
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God of Light (Dan. 2:22)
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God of Joy (Ps. 21:6)
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The God Who Answers Prayer (Is. 65:24)
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The God of All the Earth (Is. 54:5)
