Day 13: Intercessory Prayers 

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. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 
 
Jesus took prayer seriously while he walked the earth. Scripture reveals Jesus prayed early, and he prayed often. We know at least once, Jesus spent all night in prayer (Luke 6:12). Jesus prayed for us in John 17, and grace upon grace, Jesus is still praying for us: 
 
“Therefore [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 
 
I don’t know if that verse has ever stood out to you like that before, Jesus always lives to intercede for you. Jesus is living now to intercede for you! The grace of Christ continually blows me away. 
 
We can take a moment and let that idea sink in—and then give God thanks using a prayer like this: 
 
+God, thank you for sending Christ to save, and God thank you that Jesus Christ continues to pray for me! Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for continually living to give me mercy. 
 
Jesus is our High Priest and He has given us the responsibility of being His priests to serve Him both here on earth and later in the new earth and heaven that is to come (Revelation 1:6). While were here on earth, one of our responsibilities is to pray for others like Jesus currently prays for us. 
 
Prayerwork, Part 1: Make a list of people for whom you want to pray. Think about your friends and family members who need to know Jesus. Think about your friends who need to learn how to pray like you are learning how to pray. List people you know that need God’s favor in their lives. List people who need healing. List people who need to be saved. Use the space below to write in some names. 

  1. _____________________________
  2. _____________________________
  3. _____________________________
  4. _____________________________
  5. _____________________________
  6. _____________________________

Prayerwork, Part 2: Pray over each person you listed above. Say their name to God in a prayer, asking Him to bless that person. Ask God to put His favor on that person. Ask God to intervene in that person’s life. Ask God to spiritually open the eyes of the people on your list who need salvation. Ask God to heal the people on your list who are sick. Pray over each name, individually before moving on to the next prayerwork section. 
 
Prayerwork, Part 3: Tomorrow set your alarm to get up twenty minutes earlier. Tomorrow’s prayerwork will be practicing praying for fifteen minutes straight. Don’t worry if you haven’t ever prayed that long before, if you’ve been doing the prayerwork every day in this devotional, you’re ready for the fifteen minutes prayer vigil. Go to bed about twenty minutes to a half-hour earlier tonight in preparation for tomorrow. 
 
Where does my help come from?
 My help comes from Yahweh, the maker of heaven and earth.
 Psalm 121:1, 2