Thursday, December 13, 2018

On praying for our leaders

Encouragement and counsel from Darlene, a member of my church, on praying for our leaders. She maintains a prayer group by e-mail.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I Timothy 2:1-2 - I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
What happens when you pray? We do not really know but above all, it changes me. The other day a friend asked,”Would you pray for my cousin, Donna? She is going through a total mastectomy.”
While most of my life, I would say, “Yes.” Obedience to my promise has drastically changed over the years. There was a time when I would say, “Yes.”, but then forget to pray. As I grew in my faith, I was convicted of my disobedience and I would dash off a thirty second prayer over the woman. Deeper in my faith, that thirty second prayer catapulted in love for the person requesting the prayer and my prayers became sincerer. Now the Lord has made me love others as soon as I think of them. I have some understanding of the process this woman is going through and the feelings I would feel enduring the same process and I pray for her and her family, although I would not know her if I saw her on the street. Even moreso…..

The more in love we grow with Jesus, the more in love we grow with each other and our prayers increase. PRAISE GOD! The more in love we grow with others, when we love each other as ourselves, we pray as if we are in the place of the person we are praying for. God allows us to be in their situation in the Spirit. THANKS BE TO GOD! We pray with fervor just as Jesus does for us. How beautiful is that? He draws His body together in prayer for each other.

As you sit to pray for leaders or a leader, ask Holy Spirit to guide you or listen as He does to not only who you should pray for today but how to pray for them and watch the beautiful tapestry that He weaves for you as your pray and your unity with this person and the body of Christ…HALLELUJAH You grow in understanding His love, the love He wants you to have for the rest of the body but also how much you have grown in prayer and through prayer. . . I am constantly amazed at how He has put together every detail for our growth in Him. . . if we just follow Him.

Brings new meaning to the song...SHOW ME YOUR WAYS...THAT I MAY WALK WITH YOU..
Please pray for me and my Psalms Bible study. I am constantly amazed where the Lord takes me in these Psalms. Deeper in love with Him. . . I want to be ignited, set on fire and be able to take others on that journey....