"The prayers of the Bible are an amazing gift from God. Praying the prayers of the Bible helps us understand how Jesus, Job, Moses, David, Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Mary, Peter, Paul and many others talked with God. They have much to teach us." (J. Banks, Praying the Prayers of the Bible)
Paul was adamant about praying for new churches and those new to the faith. Here's one of his intercessory prayers:
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened so that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
That power is like the working of his mighty strength which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead. Ephesians 1:18-19.
Hope that makes us positive and confident.
An inheritance in the saints that redefines wealth. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
Those three qualities in the life of any person would make him/her an overcomer.
Long ago I muttered to God, "I wish someone would pray like this for me." Then in my mind, a big boot came down out of the sky and kicked me in the hind parts. A voice said, "Hey buddy, this is what YOU are supposed to pray for the people in YOUR life."
I said, "Oh yeah. Good idea!"
Pray for people to:
- know the hope brought by a risen Savior
- know about the inheritance both now and down the road and
- be filled with the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.
This is a Bible prayer. It is a Major League prayer. It is kingdom minded intercessory prayer that has no expiration date.
Aim this prayer at people in your life and watch the Lord go to work.