YOU ARE AN INTERCESSOR

Man isn’t helpless and hopeless today; he isn’t without an intercessor. We’re the ones called to intercede and see to it that God’s purpose.

Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both (Job 9:33)

Our opening verse shows that there was a day and time that man needed a “daysman,” a mediator, and there wasn’t any. Job needed one and there was none. It also reminds me of the words of Eli to his sons, in berating them for their atrocious acts. He said, “When you sin against a man, any man can come and intercede for you. But when you sin against God, who’ll entreat for you?” (Read 1 Samuel 2:25).

But thank God Jesus came! Isaiah 59:16 says, “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.” God saw that there was no man, there was no intercessor, and sent the Lord Jesus, who today has sent us as the Father had sent Him (John 20:21).

Man isn’t helpless and hopeless today; he isn’t without an intercessor. We’re the ones called to intercede and see to it that God’s purpose, His perfect will, is fulfilled in the earth and the lives of men. He gave us the power, the ability, and the responsibility.

Paul, writing to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:1, said, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” Also, in Ephesians 6:18, he declared, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

As we pray in intercession, the Holy Spirit takes hold together with us against the forces of darkness, to obtain that which belongs to us, and to establish the righteousness of God in every place. We carry out this ministry through and by the Spirit. When we take our place of intercession, the Lord says we’ll lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty (1 Timothy 2:2); our societies will be established in righteousness. Intercession is always on behalf of others; you’re concentrating the influence of God’s power toward others for their good, and that requires some persistence in prayer. Imagine that someone has been sick for a long time with cancer or some deadly infirmity; he may not be able to appropriate the blessings of Christ about healing and health for himself. However, through your intercession, he can receive a miracle, as you take his place in prayer and rebuke the adversary.

MAKE PRAYER A LIFESTYLE

In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Ephesians 6:18 MSG).

Pastor Chris

Giving time to prayer is particularly important. There are times and certain situations that don’t require you to pray for a protracted period. At other times and in different situations, importunity and heartfelt continuity in prayer are needed. Both are especially important, depending on what you’re dealing with. However, the bottom line is that as a Christian, prayer must be a way of life.

The reason for prayer isn’t to convince God that you’re serious about your objective for praying. Instead, it’s about what spending time in fellowship with Him does in your spirit. Devote your best times and most productive moments to prayer. Try not to be in a hurry during your prayer times, because sometimes, even when you think you’re done praying, the Holy Spirit might still want you to continue. He may bring words to you with which to pray. Remember, He has a ministry in our lives; He’s the One who teaches us how to pray.

When we pray, we don’t always know everything we’re supposed to say about certain situations. But God, through the Holy Spirit, teaches us what to say and how to pray correctly and effectively. That’s why giving time and attention to prayer is essential. Give attention to praying in tongues; don’t be distracted.

When it’s time to pray, have the discipline to keep everything else aside. The more other things try to distract you, the more you should focus and keep praying. Let your spirit receive that discipline; then, you’ll achieve the primary purpose of prayer, which is the conditioning of your spirit and mind until God’s thoughts become your thoughts, and His words become your words. The specific, creative word on your lips that the Spirit brings to you at such moments of prayer produces results.

A few minutes of prayer isn’t sufficient to condition your spirit. You need to give God time and attention. In worship, certain things are done to you and in you by the Holy Spirit; you’re so conditioned and transfigured that your way of talking, your choice of words, your character and your behaviour are affected. Make yourself available for that conditioning to take place as you make prayer a part of your lifestyle.

PRAYER
Dear Father, thank you for the privilege of fellowship with you through the Spirit in prayer. Thank you for the privilege to side with you and enforce your will in the earth and exercise dominion over circumstances, Satan, and his cohorts of darkness, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

IT’S A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP

The Father always speaks; He’s always in communication with your spirit, sharing His thoughts with you. So, it’s not just the words that you say to God during the times of prayer that matter but the opportunity it provides for His Spirit to minister to you as you minister to Him.

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THE “LITTLE CLOUD” MEANS SOMETHING

Elijah’s servant only reported that he saw a little cloud, but that was all Elijah needed; he knew he had made progress. He was able to observe something different in the present state of affairs. Can you observe something different in your life today? Like Elijah, choose to see that “sign” of change as an indication that you already have the victory.

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OUR PRAYERS AND WORSHIP

RHAPSODY OF REALITIES WEDNESDAY 10TH NOVEMBER

OUR PRAYERS AND WORSHIP BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne (Revelation 8:3).

When you study the Book of Revelation, one of the many beautiful things you find is the power and spiritual import of our prayers and worship. Revelation 15:8, for example, describes something remarkable as revealed to John: it says, “And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.”

This parallels what we read in the Old Testament when the priests entered into the temple built by Solomon. The Bible says when they began to sing and worship God with the instruments of music, the glory of God filled the house, that even the priests couldn’t stand to minister by reason of the cloud of God’s glory (2 Chronicles 5:14).

Our prayers and worship in the earth have great impact in heaven. When we pray, when we worship, how does God see it? We’re actually offering spiritual sacrifices. The Bible says, “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints” (Revelation 5:8).

When you’re praying here in the earth, it’s not a mere religious routine; it goes to Heaven as incense. That’s what David meant when he said, “Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice” (Psalm 141:2). David, being a prophet, had a revelation of the future. He saw that our prayers and sacrifices and the lifting up of our hands would replace these incense and sacrifices of the Old Testament.

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OUR PRAYERS AND WORSHIP...

Our theme verse says there’s an altar—a temple— in heaven, upon which the angel offers his incense, alongside the incense of our own prayers. How amazing that is! So, when you’re praying and worshipping the Lord, it’s important that you understand the spiritual significance of what you’re engaged in and do it with faith, hope and love. Praise God!

CONFESSION
I lift my hands today in worship to the great God of glory, who has lavished His love on me and beautified my life with splendour. Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might, be unto our God forever and ever! Hallelujah!

FURTHER STUDY
Revelation 8:3-4; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 5:8

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
Hebrews 9:11-28 & Lamentations 3-5
2 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:
John 11:14-23 & 1 Chronicles 10

SPEAK IN OTHER TONGUES NOW