Empowered Intercession: Praying for Others with Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, True Hope Church. Today, we continue our series, "Teach Us to Pray," focusing on the power of intercessory prayer, as exemplified by Daniel in Daniel 9. Intercession means to intervene or mediate between two parties, and in the context of prayer, it means praying to God on behalf of others. This type of prayer is crucial because it extends beyond our personal needs and petitions, reaching out to God for the sake of others, whether they be individuals, communities, or nations.
We often struggle with intercessory prayer because we doubt its effectiveness. The mystery of unanswered prayers can make us question whether our prayers will result in tangible change. However, Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 serves as a powerful model. He prays passionately, not for himself, but for his people, invoking God's covenant name, Yahweh, seven times. This shows his deep trust in God's promises and his intimate relationship with God.
Daniel's prayer is marked by humility, confession, and solidarity with his people. He acknowledges their collective sins and pleads for God's mercy, not based on their righteousness but on God's great mercy. This prayer is a call to action for us to engage in intercessory prayer with the same fervor and faith, believing that God can and will act in response to our prayers.
Intercessory prayer is not just about asking for things; it's about aligning our hearts with God's heart and becoming channels for His love and resources to flow into the world. It challenges us to think beyond our immediate needs and to pray for others with the same urgency and passion. This kind of prayer can transform our communities, our nations, and even our world.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Essence of Intercessory Prayer: Intercessory prayer is about intervening on behalf of others, asking God to act in their lives and situations. It requires us to look beyond our personal needs and focus on the needs of others, whether they are individuals, communities, or nations. This type of prayer aligns us with God's heart and His desire to work through us to bring about change. [02:20]
2. The Challenge of Unanswered Prayers: Many of us struggle with intercessory prayer because we are unsure if our prayers will be answered. The mystery of unanswered prayers can make us doubt the effectiveness of our intercessions. However, Daniel's example shows us that even in the face of uncertainty, we should pray with faith and trust in God's promises. [04:14]
3. Humility and Confession in Prayer: Daniel's prayer is marked by humility and confession. He acknowledges the collective sins of his people and pleads for God's mercy. This teaches us that our prayers should be honest and humble, recognizing our own shortcomings and the need for God's grace and forgiveness. [09:31]
4. Solidarity with Others: When we pray for others, we should do so in solidarity with them, not standing apart or above them. Daniel's use of "we" in his prayer shows his identification with his people's plight. This solidarity fosters a deeper connection and compassion for those we are praying for, making our prayers more heartfelt and sincere. [19:36]
5. The Power of Persistent Prayer: Intercessory prayer requires persistence and faith, even when we don't see immediate results. The story of Monica and her son Augustine illustrates the power of persistent prayer. Despite years of seemingly unanswered prayers, Monica continued to pray, and her son eventually experienced a profound conversion. This teaches us to never give up on praying for others, trusting that God is at work even when we can't see it. [33:46]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:20] - Introduction to Intercessory Prayer
[04:14] - The Challenge of Unanswered Prayers
[05:52] - Daniel's Example of Intercessory Prayer
[07:44] - Reading Daniel 9
[09:31] - Humility and Confession in Prayer
[12:46] - The Power of Passionate Prayer
[14:19] - Praying in Non-Ideal Situations
[16:04] - Praying for Restoration and Rescue
[17:51] - The Importance of Persistent Prayer
[19:36] - Solidarity in Prayer
[21:14] - Praying for God's Righteousness and Mercy
[22:42] - The Hope in Intercessory Prayer
[24:14] - Practical Application of Intercessory Prayer
[25:51] - The Selfless Nature of Intercessory Prayer
[27:38] - Personal Story on the Power of Prayer
[30:45] - The Impact of Intercessory Prayer
[32:13] - Jesus' Teaching on Prayer
[33:46] - Story of Monica and Augustine
[35:40] - The Mystery and Power of Prayer
[37:22] - Choosing to Engage in Intercessory Prayer
[39:06] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Daniel 9:1-19
### Observation Questions
1. What specific actions does Daniel take to seek God in Daniel 9:3?
2. How many times does Daniel invoke God's covenant name, Yahweh, in his prayer, and what might this signify? [05:52]
3. What are the key elements of Daniel's prayer as described in Daniel 9:4-19?
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of Daniel praying in solidarity with his people? [19:36]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Daniel include confession and humility in his prayer, and what does this teach us about the nature of intercessory prayer? [09:31]
2. How does Daniel's use of "we" in his prayer reflect his solidarity with his people, and why is this important for intercessory prayer? [19:36]
3. What does the story of Monica and Augustine illustrate about the power and persistence of intercessory prayer? [33:46]
4. How does Daniel's prayer align with God's promises, and what does this suggest about the relationship between God's sovereignty and human intercession? [17:51]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own prayer life. How often do you pray for others compared to praying for your own needs? What steps can you take to incorporate more intercessory prayer into your daily routine? [02:20]
2. Have you ever struggled with the mystery of unanswered prayers? How can Daniel's example encourage you to continue praying with faith and trust in God's promises? [04:14]
3. Think of a specific person or community you feel called to pray for. How can you pray for them with the same humility, confession, and solidarity that Daniel demonstrated? [09:31]
4. Daniel prayed passionately for the restoration and rescue of his people. Identify a situation or group in need of God's intervention today. How can you commit to praying persistently for them? [16:04]
5. The sermon mentioned that intercessory prayer aligns our hearts with God's heart. How can you ensure that your prayers are not just about asking for things but also about becoming a channel for God's love and resources to flow into the world? [24:14]
6. Reflect on a time when you felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for someone or something. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How can you be more attentive to such promptings in the future? [17:51]
7. The story of Monica and Augustine shows the power of persistent prayer. Is there someone in your life for whom you have been praying for a long time without seeing results? How can you find encouragement to continue praying for them? [33:46]
Devotional
Day 1: The Essence of Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory prayer is about intervening on behalf of others, asking God to act in their lives and situations. It requires us to look beyond our personal needs and focus on the needs of others, whether they are individuals, communities, or nations. This type of prayer aligns us with God's heart and His desire to work through us to bring about change. Intercessory prayer is a powerful way to express love and concern for others, and it can have a profound impact on their lives and circumstances. [02:20]
1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you intercede for them in prayer today, asking God to intervene in their situation?
Day 2: The Challenge of Unanswered Prayers
Many of us struggle with intercessory prayer because we are unsure if our prayers will be answered. The mystery of unanswered prayers can make us doubt the effectiveness of our intercessions. However, Daniel's example shows us that even in the face of uncertainty, we should pray with faith and trust in God's promises. Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9 is a powerful reminder that our prayers are heard by God, even when we do not see immediate results. We are called to trust in God's timing and His wisdom, knowing that He is always at work. [04:14]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt your prayers were unanswered. How can you renew your trust in God's timing and continue to pray with faith?
Day 3: Humility and Confession in Prayer
Daniel's prayer is marked by humility and confession. He acknowledges the collective sins of his people and pleads for God's mercy. This teaches us that our prayers should be honest and humble, recognizing our own shortcomings and the need for God's grace and forgiveness. When we come before God in prayer, it is important to confess our sins and seek His mercy, not based on our righteousness but on His great mercy. This posture of humility allows us to approach God with a sincere heart and a genuine desire for His intervention. [09:31]
James 4:10 (ESV): "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you."
Reflection: Take a moment to confess any sins or shortcomings in your life. How can you approach God with humility and seek His mercy in your prayers today?
Day 4: Solidarity with Others
When we pray for others, we should do so in solidarity with them, not standing apart or above them. Daniel's use of "we" in his prayer shows his identification with his people's plight. This solidarity fosters a deeper connection and compassion for those we are praying for, making our prayers more heartfelt and sincere. Praying in solidarity with others means sharing in their burdens and joys, and it helps us to develop a greater sense of empathy and love for those around us. [19:36]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Think of someone who is struggling with a burden. How can you pray in solidarity with them, sharing in their struggles and asking God to provide comfort and strength?
Day 5: The Power of Persistent Prayer
Intercessory prayer requires persistence and faith, even when we don't see immediate results. The story of Monica and her son Augustine illustrates the power of persistent prayer. Despite years of seemingly unanswered prayers, Monica continued to pray, and her son eventually experienced a profound conversion. This teaches us to never give up on praying for others, trusting that God is at work even when we can't see it. Persistent prayer demonstrates our faith in God's ability to bring about change and our commitment to seeking His will. [33:46]
Luke 18:1 (ESV): "And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart."
Reflection: Is there someone or something you have been praying for persistently? How can you continue to pray with faith and perseverance, trusting that God is at work even when you don't see immediate results?
Quotes
1. "If God were to answer every prayer you've prayed in the last month that doesn't have to do with you directly, how much is our world changing? Awesome. If your answer is a lot, awesome. If your answer is uh, I've been praying a lot about me, what I'm thinking through, what I'm wrestling with, my needs. Our needs, our realities are important, but God calls us to more than just petition, more than just the kind of prayer where we come before him about what we are thinking." [02:20] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "God wants to work in his world, and he wants to work through your intercessory prayer. If everything you've prayed in the last month was answered, how much would it affect the world around you?" [05:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When faced with the promise of what God would do foretold by the prophet Jeremiah, Daniel actually engages firstly in passionate prayer. Instead of apathetic disengagement and complaining. We just preached a whole series on prophecy. May it be said of us that we don't entertain or think about or wrestle with the prophetic promises of God and then blab our mouths in complaints about this broken world and our friends and our city and our neighbors more than we pick up the burden of intercessory prayer and storm the world with the promise of God." [14:19] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Intercessory prayer makes me an open, channel for God's heart and heaven's resources to flow towards people. That's what it is, and that's what it does. Richard Foster is a celebrated and wonderful writer and theologian on spiritual disciplines, of which prayer is a very important one. And he says this, lean in, lean in. If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than is within our own power, to give them. And this will lead us to prayer." [25:51] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's really hard to hate those who you honestly pray for. Let me tell you a story that's kind of funny because we need to cut the mood a little bit and just bring some levity. When I was 12, I had my first girlfriend. We were on junior Bible quiz together. I thought she was cute. I think she thought the same about me. So I met her after church one day. I said, hey, you want to go out with me? I was 12. And she was like, yeah. And then we both walked away. So that's what happened." [27:38] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Could it be that the church is so atrophied in our love, so disordered in our obligations to culture and politics and power and influence because we do not pray enough. We are telling ourselves, I can solve the problem. I can fix the issue. And if I can fix it, I will. And if I can't, I will point fingers and I will blame. I will argue. I will Facebook comment. And that's what that is. It's actually, my point is this. I think our hopes and our behaviors are telling on us. We're not loving well, because we do not pray in intercession." [30:45] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "It's really hard to hate those you honestly pray for. The second part of this is intercessory prayer makes me open channel for God's heart. I pray for those who honestly pray for me. I pray for those who honestly pray for me. I pray for God's heart. But it also makes me an open channel or conduit for heaven's resources. God does want to work in our world. And it's mysterious how he does it through prayer." [32:13] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I was gripped with this story. I want to share it to you that illustrates the power of praying intercessory prayer with consistency, even in the mystery of seemingly unanswered prayer. It's from a book that I've mentioned. I highly recommend you read it. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools, Tyler Staten. Here's a story. Just listen. Monica was a single mom with one child, a son. She was a devout believer who sang hymns over her child in his infancy and prayed nightly with her hand on his forehead." [33:46] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Maybe the most important thing you'll do in your life is raise someone who changes the world. Or even better yet, use this scripture. You'll pray for someone who ends up changing the world. Intercessory prayer is an invitation. It's mysterious because here's where we all get stuck. Yeah, but. I got some yeah buts in my life. Yeah, I hear you, Ryan. But I asked, where's the answer? Where's the real tangible result? Where's the real tangible result? Where's the real tangible result? Where's Where's it at?" [37:22] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "History belongs to the intercessors who don't give up, who continue to pray, who share God's heart and deploy heaven's resources. True hope. Let's dare to be a church that lives the adventurous life of intercession. I don't have all the answers, but I know this, there will be great impact and history will tell the story of scores of people whose lives have been rewritten by the power of King Jesus in partnership with our intercessory prayers. May we not give up." [39:06] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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