Prayer is an ordinance of God. It should be noted that both Christians and non-Christians pray. The prayer that God will answer however is one from a sincere outpouring of the heart to God. It should be done through Christ and with the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit. Prayers should be for such things as God has promised according to His word. Prayers should be made for the good of mankind and the church, and should be made in faithful submission to the will of God. Prayer is a requirement which all children of God should give considerable attention to for their joy to be full (John 16:24).
People engage in all sorts of prayers. Experience has shown that the most interesting of all types of prayers is intercessory prayer. Every child of God is called and anointed to be an intercessor (1 Timothy 2:1-2). This denotes praying for others – whether they are members of your family, church or others for whom God has laid a burden on your heart. Intercessory prayer is one prayer every Christian should engage in. It is important and greatly rewarding. It could take the form of wrestling for the salvation of a soul or praying for his or her deliverance. We are also enjoined to pray for nations and leaders, be they local or international. One reason you should engage in intercessory prayer is because it is good and acceptable before God. Intercessory prayer brings peace, prosperity and power.
It brings victory when problems and troubles arise and it brings victory when other prayers are not answered. There are many reasons prayers are not answered. Many people pray and their prayers do not ascend to God because they are not willing to forgive those who offended them (Matthew 6:15). Anger and quarrelling are other reasons prayers are not answered (1 Timothy 2:8). Other reasons include: unwillingness to make peace with others (Matthew 5:23-24), heartlessness and insensitivity in family affairs (1 Peter 3:7), carnal motives (James 4:3), disobedience (John 9:31) and pride. Intercessory prayer is mandatory. To engage in intercessory prayers, you should first and foremost have a burden for others. This means, you should have an empathic understanding for others. This should be followed by your willingness to clear your way before God and to plead the blood of Jesus over yourself and others. Intercessory prayer becomes effective when we pray creatively (Romans 4:17), without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), with unquestioning faith (Mark 11:22), with authority (Luke 10:19), with boldness for the unprecedented (John 16:23), and in unity under a corporate anointing (Acts 12:5).
by Pastor E.A. Adeboye
