BROADCASTS.com

We welcome back Mr. Rick Verkerk as guest to Wilderness Wanderings. He continues his five-part series on praying for others.

So, we\u2019ve learned about the importance of intercessory prayer \u2013 praying for others, why we should and who and what we can pray for. Today I have some thoughts on HOW we can intercede for others.

Ready to stand in the gap for others? When you start thinking about who you can pray for, the list is probably long and then and what prayer needs you know for each person just lengthens the list to the point of possibly overwhelming you. Keep in mind that God already knows all the people on your list and all their needs. Ask God to reveal to you who and what to intercede for.

\u201cListen\u201d carefully to the Holy Spirit and open to hearing his voice continually while you are connecting with someone. In the meantime, pray for family, friends, neighbours and coworkers and follow this template if you need help to get started. Use the five letters of the word BLESS to help you remember ways to intercede for them.

• B Body \u2013 pray for health, protection, strength, fitness (Matthew 6:33)
• L Labour \u2013 pray for jobs, income, financial security (Colossians 3:23-24)
• E Emotional \u2013 pray for joy, peace, patience, self-control (Isaiah 26:3)
• S Social \u2013 pray for marriage, family, friends, love, forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32)
• S Spiritual \u2013 pray for salvation, spiritual growth, grace, hope (Psalm 34:8)

This is known as the BLESSing Prayer and it is simply a guideline for intercession to start building the walls as you stand in the gap.

The Bible also requires us to intercede for people who are not saved. Reading 1 Timothy 2:1-4,

\xa0\u201cI urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone \u2013 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.\u201d

How can we pray for those who are unsaved? Pray that:

• the unsaved will be drawn by the Father. (John 6:44)
• those who hear the gospel will understand it. (Matthew 13:19)
• unbelievers\u2019 eyes will be opened so that they can see the light. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Would you care more if the unsaved are your own children or family members? All unsaved persons are wayward sons and daughters of God\u2019s family. God does not want \u201canyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.\u201d (2 Peter 3:9) Let\u2019s get praying!