Sunday, February 21, 2021

REV. DAVID STANKUS: Intercessory Prayer


Sharing a short article about intercessory prayer by my husband, David. This came from one of his past sermons. ~VS

INTERCESSORY PRAYER
 ~ Rev. David J. Stankus ~

Colossians 1:9-12 (NASB) - For this reason we also, since the day we heard about it, have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all perseverance and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. But, we see in Colossians 1:9-12, it seeks for more than just physical needs to be met. Here, in Paul’s intercessory prayer, he asked for deeper, more fundamental needs. He asked for them to: 

  • know God’s will (v. 9)
  • walk in a Christ-like manner (v. 10)
  • be pleasing to God in every way (v. 10)
  • be fruitful in every good work (v. 10)
  • increase in the knowledge of God (v. 10)
  • be strengthened, persevere, be patient, and give thanks (v. 11)

So, as we intercede for others, we need to go beyond the superficial requests, and beyond just the physical needs. We need to pray for their spirit as well – that they will have a spirit of joy, even in the midst of their trying circumstances. This is the kind of prayer that truly intercedes for someone. It meets the foundational needs of their lives. 

Make it a point to intercede in this way for your church members, your church leaders, our nation’s leaders, and for those who are unsaved. 


6 comments:

  1. Thank you so much for your blog. I’ve just recently discovered it as I searched for insight on His holding our hand. Your story shows your trust and dependence on Him during so many trials. I’m praying for you and you family right now for strength and perseverance for your walk with Him.

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    1. Thank you for your comment, and for your prayers. Our God is always faithful.

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  2. Let me know when he has another sermon to see online. I appreciated the one I saw last year.

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  3. Great thoughts here! Sometimes we pray to shield our loved ones from pain, but maybe the pain is just what they need to get closer to the Lord. Pain, grief, and trials are no fun, but they make us stronger and more Christ-like!

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