No Excuses in Relationship with Others

I remember having a list of all those I was praying for when I was a teenager. I would spend an hour each morning praying to God and included in that was a large amount of time praying for others. It was great for me as a young person to get to see God answer prayers for others. This kept me from becoming too focused on myself and my needs.

There are many ways to love one’s neighbor, but intercessory prayer—praying on behalf of other people—has got to be one of the most powerful.

Prayer is the most potent force known to humanity. Because we have been made partakers in Jesus’ victory over sin and death (1 John 4:4), we have the authority as sons and daughters of God to pray for others, pushing back the darkness of sin and oppression. In prayer, we have a weapon that has “divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

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 2:2-4; NIV)

Do you pray for others regularly? Have your prayers focused on you and yours?

 

No Excuses Challenge

Take some time to pray today and write down the names of those that God brings to your mind. Write beside their name what you are asking God to do for them. Use this list for the next three days and continue to pray for these people, adding new names as God puts others on your heart and mind.

“Bad excuses are worse than none.”
Thomas Fuller