April 11

Paul was able to accomplish what he did for Christ partly because of the prayers of God's people.  Therefore he often sought the prayers of those to whom he ministered, aware that God's will for his life and ministry would not be fully realized without the intercession of fellow believers.  This spiritual principle of God's kingdom is valid today.  We need the prayers of other believers and they need our prayers.  With faithful intercession in the churches, God's desires will be accomplished, satan's purposes frustrated and the Spirit's full power revealed.  (Study notes, Full Life Study Bible)

2 Thessalonians 3:1-3 records this:  "One more thing, friends: Pray for us. Pray that the Master’s Word will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response, just as it did among you. And pray that we’ll be rescued from these scoundrels who are trying to do us in. I’m finding that not all “believers” are believers. But the Master never lets us down. He’ll stick by you and protect you from evil."

I can't remember which preacher it was, but I heard a preacher say (and I'm paraphrasing), 'the devil don't need to go to the clubs and bars...he's already got those folks.  However, the devil is always showing up at the church...in the parking lot, in the foyer...even sometimes in the pews'.   As Paul said, not all "believers", are believers.  They're described in 2 Timothy 3:5 as "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."  The time has come for the saints to turn from foolishness and intercede for one another so that kingdom business can be done!  I'm so sick of the spirit of competition among churches...like there's not enough sin in the world to go around!?!!!  If we're going to be effective in this world, in our families, in our ministries and in our communities...FOR OUR CHILDREN; we have to stop competing and start collaborating!

Dear Heavenly Father, give us the desire to pray for one another, often and earnestly.  Open our eyes so that we can see how much we need one another and need to pray for one another.  Help us to discern the needs of our brothers and sisters and pray accordingly for them.  Just as satan and his imps are always seeking who they may devour; we should pray, without ceasing, for one another.  We pray that our children will embrace intercession now and pray for one another now.  Give us righteous hearts, "For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."  As we pray, we know that You are faithful and will keep us from evil.  In Jesus name, Amen!