Day 3

Several years ago I served in ministry with a pastor who wanted to increase the diversity in our church. His idea was to host a pot-luck supper and begin at 4:17. People would ask, "why 4:17?" Years ago I could explain the verse to them but now I am embarrassed to say that I don't remember what book of the Bible that chapter and verse can be found but he suggested it so that every time we were asked about it or saw 4:17 we would remember to pray for our church and the people we might have the opportunity to minister to. It stuck with me. When I look at my clock and it says 3:23 I pray for our son Evan, March 23 (3:23) is his birthday. When I see 3:24 I pray for our son Adam, March 24 is his birthday. You get the idea. My mind operates in strange ways at times, I remember numbers. If I know the month and day of your birthday I will be praying for you each time my clock shows the month and day of your birthday. It happens with area codes, exits on the highway and more. I know, it is strange. If you want to leave me a comment with your first name and month and day of your birthday, I will gladly pray for you!!

Day 3
The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer by Andrew Murray

What To Pray:

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). Every member of a body is interested in the welfare of the whole body and exists to help and complete the others. Believers are one body and ought to pray not so much for the welfare of their own church or group but for all the saints (believers). This large unselfish attitude is proof that Christ's Spirit is teaching them to pray. Pray first for all believers and then for all those around you.

How To Pray: In the Love of the Spirit

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35).

"That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).

"I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me" (Romans 15:30).

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8).

If we are to pray, we must love those for whom we pray. Let us resolve to love all people, and especially every child of God. Let us pray in the fervency of this love of the Spirit.

Your Own Prayer Requests:

~Pray and ask God to help you be prayerful for others, first other believers and then for others.
~When their name comes to mind ask God how to pray for them. God may give you something specific to pray for, such as protection, understanding, boldness etc. If I do not sense a specific prayer need I ask God to bless my friend. I ask that He will love her in a way that she will recognize His handiwork in her life.
~Pray and ask God to encourage others to pray for you. Ask Him to bring your name to the mind of others who will pray for your needs, that the Spirit will intercede on your behalf.

As I made my way home from Las Vegas this weekend, I needed to stop for gas and noticed my clock showed 10:13. Immediately I remembered a friend from high school whose birthday is October 13. I haven't thought of her for years. I asked God how I should pray for her and what I sensed, not sure if it was my idea or His, but the first thing I thought of was truth. That isn't something I would normally come up with so I figured it was God's idea. I said a quick prayer for her and went on about the business of pumping gas. As my friend has continued to come to mind over the last 24 hours I have prayed that Truth would be revealed to her in a way that she will understand. I prayed that God will have His way with her wherever she is in her walk with Him. If she doesn't know Him, I prayed He would reveal Himself to her.

Thank you for your willingness to pray. If you don't feel like you are "very good" at praying, that is OK, you aren't being graded!! The best way to improve our prayer life is to just do it. If you think about how we make friends in our neighborhoods and with co-workers we start by having conversations. Begin to grow in your relationship with Christ by having a converstaion with Him, by praying. If you see 3:19 on your clock and I come to mind, please pray that God will give me wisdom and revelation so that I may know Him better (Ephesians 1:17).