 |
| Shampa Rice at Redeemer |
Intercessory prayer can bring about changes in the lives of other persons. Stanley Grenz writes: "Intercession can alter the spiritual situation of those for whom we pray." (Grenz, Prayer: The Cry for the Kingdom, 33)
Do I believe this? Of course. I would not pray for others if I did not believe this.
"As the prayers found in Paul's epistles suggests, prayer can lead to the spiritual strengthening of and greater spiritual knowledge in others." (Ib.) For example, Ephesians 3:16-19:
16 I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. 18 I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Intercessors pray like this:
"God, I pray that _______________ would be strengthened in their inner being through Your Spirit. I pray that You, Jesus, might make ______'s heart Your home. I pray that _______ might have the power to understand and know Your great love that transcends mere human knowledge. I pray that _______ would be filled with all Your fullness."
Or, for example, 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17:
16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, 17 comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.
Intercessors pray like this:
"God, I pray that You bring Your comfort and hope to ___________'s heart and strengthen _______ in every good thing they do and say."
Pray for others, like this.
