Monday, October 5, 2009

What Should We Ask People To Pray For Us?

Good morning my friends. Are you looking forward to this week? I hope so. Today is the day we have been given to exalt the name of Jesus in everything we do and say. Let's pray we will be faithful to this today.

I hope you have an excellent relationship with your church, that you find it filled with people you can call friends and who are like a family to you. It is when a church is knit together in a love that comes from the Father that it is able to weather any storm that hits the church or individual. I am sure this is what Paul felt toward the Ephesians even though most of them had abandoned him as a leader (reference 2 Timothy). Yet, Paul longed for them:

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. vs. 15-16

Incredible words of encouragement. I absolutely love to hear that people are praying for me, it is a very encouraging thing, more precious than gold. I wish I had a "Paul" praying for me. Look at what he said he was praying 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. v. 17

Wow, the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know the Father better. Do we ever think of asking any of the prayer warriors to pray about that for us, or is it always about our physical needs? Yet, is that not one of our greatest desires, to know him better? Then Paul writes that he is praying for one particular thing so three great things will be revealed:

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. vs. 18-19

Yes Lord, open the eyes of our heart that may know:
1. the hope we have been called to
2. the riches of your glorious inheritance in us, your children
3. your incomparably great power for us who believe.

Do not be satisfied with where you are, where your friends are, where you church is at. Cry out for a great revelations, a deeper understanding, a closer relationship with the Lord. Pray until you receive because it is the delight of the Father's heart to respond to those who seek his face. Cry out to him now. Express it as the greatest desire of your heart. Worship the name of Jesus and see how quickly the Father responds.

As Paul writes this he is overcome again by the plan of the Father and he breaks out into a mini doxology. It is never far from Paul's heart because he was consumed by his desire for Jesus:

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. vs. 19-23

As you head into your day remember who it is that called you, then saved you, then filled you, who has planned for you, and who has the power and authority over all things. Let this work on you throughout today. Jesus is "the fullness of him who fills everything in every way". Let us worship and adore him.

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