The power of prayer

​"Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. Only fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you" (E.S.V., 2001, 1 Samuel 12:23-24).  

Why would I cease to pray, especially to my Jesus who has done so much for me that no words can describe it? I say this not just out of gratitude but out of reverence and awe, knowing that I am in a relationship with the maker of the heavens and the earth, with all that is seen and unseen. I desire to 'serve' with a heart that rejoices in my maker, in his love, in his purposes and plans for me and for all who desire to be saved and restored to him as the creation returns to its maker, as the lamb returns to its shepherd. 

My heart desires to pray for the community, the land in which we dwell, for our leaders who hold the responsibility of governing our civilisation, that you will hear my "prayer" and "pleas", and maintain the cause of the believer in Jesus Christ and forgive and transform the "people who have sinned against you. Now, O my God, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place" (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Chronicles 6:38-40). Dear Lord Jesus, may you open the eyes of the hearts of men, women, and children in need, so that a tsunami of faith and repentance goes out into this community, this land, to the nations. Please guide me and my family as to where we can best serve you and be your hands and feet, in Jesus' name. Amen.

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (E.S.V., 2001, 2 Chronicles 7:14). Dear Lord, may you heal this land, may you heal and do great work in people's hearts, may you prepare the soil as we go forth to reap a harvest of souls, through the power of your Holy Spirit, for your glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Dear Lord God, "let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people", for the nations, confessing their sins, lifting them to you in Jesus' name (E.S.V., 2001, Nehemiah 1:6). May you make a way for myself, my wife, our children, that we made have words of life that come from you, that come from your Gospel, in Jesus' name.

Dear Lord Jesus, "give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch" (E.S.V., 2001, Psalm 5:2-3). Dear Lord Jesus, I present my body today "as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God", which is my "spiritual worship" for your glory. I wish not to "be conformed to this world", but to be "transformed" with the "renewal" of my mind, that I "may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (E.S.V., 2001, Romans 12:1-2). 

It is not satisfying to indulge in the desires of this world, overrun by endless chasing after the winds of consumerism, entertainment, luxury and all manners of distraction. I do not wish this attitude of sin and despondency upon myself, my wife, my children, or their children; for my desire is to serve Jesus, to bring heaven on earth in all our relationships through the power of prayer and intercession through the Holy Spirit, in Jesus' name.