Thursday Morning, January 11, 2007

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

There is nothing more important to me than the prayers of God’s people. How in a moment of weakness, I can call upon the people of God, and they will put up a prayer to heaven, and shake the foundations of hell with the prayer of faith.

In Jannise’s recent time of infirmity, the first thought that came to my mind was, “I must have the people of God pray for her.” So I began to make phone calls… I sent forth emails on the internet. Before too long… hundreds of people were lifting Jannise up to the throne. It wasn’t too long before her condition began to improve. I attribute her healing to the people of God. I minister in a praying church, and the people of Bethel know how to pray for those who are sick. They pray the prayer of faith… and they recover. I’ve seen it over and over again even in the three months I’ve been here. We are in a praying church.

And I trust my internet friends and their prayers. So many times I have forwarded requests to those all over this country… Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina… as far North as New Jersey; as far west as California; several in Missouri… and even some as far North as Canada. I even have a friend in London who prays with us during times of trouble. (Hey, Ems!) I thank God for EVERY prayer. Every single one. I’ve seen things turn around within just a few minutes of the people of God praying, and believing.

But do you know the prayer that moves me the most? The prayer that has the most profound impact on my life? The prayer that really has the most powerful effect? The fact that the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF is praying unceasingly for ME; constantly making intercession for His own. From the minute the weight and burden of life hits my heart… when I begin to pray, He makes intercession for us… Even when I’m not praying, He becomes the Champion of our cause. He protects me from dangers unseen, and dispatches angels to my side. His own Spirit comforts and guides. These are the prayers which most profoundly impact me. These are the prayers which humble me to the core. Not that man might say a word to God on my behalf, but that the Savior would whisper a prayer to the Father for me.

Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

What a comfort! “Simon, Satan wants you so that he can sift you like wheat… now go pray for your own self. Lift your own name up to God. Ask God for help ALL BY YOURSELF!” Nope. That’s not what it says. The Lord would be completely justified to tell us to go and pray for ourselves. But He didn’t do that. What did He say?
I’VE PRAYED FOR YOU. I’ve prayed for you, so that your faith won’t fail.

Only God knows how many times Jesus’ own prayers for me have kept me out of a mess of trouble. Only GOD knows how many times I’ve been pulled out of the tempest because of Jesus’ concern for my soul. Only GOD knows the miracles that came about because of His prayers for me.

When I stand victorious in the face of troubles, it would do me good not to get the “big head” or think it’s because of my own strength; in all likelihood, when I AM victorious, it is because Jesus prayed for me; because He made intercession for His own; because He called out my name to the Father. How many times did Jesus unseat the devil, before He even had the time to attack me? How many times was satan’s assignment cancelled because of those sacred prayers? Only God knows.

I’m telling you, Jesus never STOPS praying… not during the daytime when we run here and there… or by night, while we lay on our bed and sleep. He PRAYS FOR US.

Thank you Jesus, because you never stopped praying for me. You never stopped, day or night. He reminds the throne of heaven, “These stripes on my back are for Chris’ healing. These wounds in my hands and feet were for his sins. He is mine, and I am his.”

I like the fact, too, that the prayer started… even before the devil did. Jesus anticipated the coming attack against Peter, and had ALREADY PRAYED. “I see it coming, so I’ve already prayed.” Thank God that His MERCY can still outrun the devil.

He didn’t say, “Satan wants you, and when he gets here, I’m going to pray for you. Before Satan could even start the fight, Jesus finished it. It’s already done. Before the prosecuting attorney, the devil, can even step into the courtroom of heaven, Jesus says, “I’ve already entered your not-guilty verdict, and I’ve settled it with the Judge. I’ve paid for it with my own blood. You’re PRAYED FOR.”

I love your prayers… called out to heaven for me. PLEASE don’t stop praying them. I need every single one. But I am so grateful for the prayers of my precious Savior. They turn the devil upside down… and keep me alive day by day.

“But I have prayed for thee…”

And He’s praying for YOU, TOO!