CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023) DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE DATE: Sunday, September 24, 2023 TOPIC: INTERCESSORY PRAYER

 CHRIST APOSTOLIC CHURCH

THE LIVING WATER (January-December, 2023)

DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE 

DATE:

Sunday, September 24, 2023

TOPIC:

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

MEMORISE

     So it was, when I heard this words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for may dieys, I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven (Nehemiah 1:4)

READ:

Nehemiah 1: 1 - 4

[1]. The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. It came to pass in the month of Chislev, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the citadel, 

[2]. that Hanani one of my brethren came with men from Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews who had escaped, who had survived the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 

[3]. And they said to me, “The survivors who are left from the captivity in the province are there in great distress and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem is also broken down, and its gates are burned with fire.”

[4]. So it was, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned for many days; I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven.

EXPOSITION

      Intercessory prayer remains a weapon of the Church to pull down Satan's strongholds. Pitably, this is gradually being eroded away. Even the short Lord's Prayer is rushed through by many, to get over it on time. In several churches, there is scarcely any place for intercessory prayers for individuals, nations, churches, Gospel proclamation, etc; because virtually everyone is seeking his own thing. Things must not continue like this.

       What is the nature of intercessory prayer? Only a few know little about intense, wrestling or agonising prayer, stirred by the Spirit. It looks difficult because many cannot bear the sacrifice that comes with it i. e. self-denial, selflessness (Dan. 10:2-3). Yet, if we must see results we need it. Apostle Paul, in Galatians 4:19, describes this type of prayer by comparing it to childbirth. Though it is painful and energy sapping, it is result-oriented and God-glorifying. A minister once said, "You haven't interceded for the lost if you have not mourned for their souls. You must feel their distresses and lost conditions." Our Lord Jesus is our model Intercessor, who still continues interceding for us.

     Do you have any burden for your community, nation, church, etc.? What about the unbelievers around you and beyond, who should be preached to and prayed for? All these should become your prayer points. You should be busy presenting souls you preach to before the Lord (Jas 5:16b). We need a revival of intercessory praying individually and corporately

SUGGESTED HYMN FOR TODAY: 

CAC CHB 570

1. Shepherd divine, our wants relieve

 In this our evil day,

 To all Thy tempted follow'rs give

 The pow'r to watch and pray.

2. Long as our fiery trials last,

 Long as the cross we bear,

 O let our souls on Thee be cast

 In never-ceasing prayer!

3. Spirit of interceding grace

 Give us in faith to claim;

 To wrestle till we see Thy face,

 And know Thy hidden name.

4. Till Thou Thy perfect love impart,

 Till Thou Thyself bestow,

 Be this the cry of every heart,

 I will not let Thee go.

5. I will not let Thee go, unless

 Thou tell Thy name to me,

 With all Thy great salvation bless,

 And make me all like Thee!

6. Then let me on the mountain-top

 Behold Thy open face,

 Where faith in sight is swallowed up,

 And pray'r in endless praise.

Amen.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Ask for forgiveness for the selfish attitude in your prayer life 

2. Lord, give me the grace to discipline myself for the ministry of intercession. 

3. Father Lord, let the fire of unending passion for intercession burn again in our churches.

EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 

Daniel 4:28-7:12

AUTHOR

CAC Worldwide

Remain blessed