Intercession is how we serve one another in prayer

Intercession is how we serve one another in prayer. A good friend of mine and the man who baptized me used to say, "Don't just do something, pray!" and another dear friend, who trained me to be a children's leader, said, "the most important thing I can do for you is to be holy to the Lord." - taken together we're reminded of James 5:16: "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

James 5 reminds us not to misuse money, but to be patient and depend on the coming of the Lord like a farmer is dependent on rain. We plant in prayer and water in prayer but the Lord makes it grow (1 Cor 3:7). This year we'll be starting our leaders meeting with prayer and use the ACTS model. Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication. 

We see Adoration examples in the Psalms but all scripture can be the basis for adoration. In John 1 we can praise God for creation, the Word, for light and light of all mankind (John 1:1-4)

Reading further we can confess that we sometimes hide from the light or don't bear witness to the light John 1:6-8). 

We can then thank God for his promises (John 1:12-13), for the grace given to us through Jesus (John 1:14-18). 

We can ponder Jesus "who takes away the sins of the world (John 1:29) and ask him to do this for ourselves, our class members, families, communities, tribes, and nations. 

• Prayer is our first response for helping all people, praying specifically with gratitude (1 Timothy 2:1). 
• The Holy Spirit helps us do this for others and is interceding for us (Romans 8:26).
• Jesus is able to save completely, everyone who draws near to God through him since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25) and for us (Romans 8:34). 
• We pray at all times in the Spirit, praying specific requests for each other and all God's people (Eph 6:18).

How will you stand with your class members in prayer. How will powering your prayer with Bible study invigorate you? Will you consider your role as an effective intercessor being dependent on yourself being a righteous person?  When the stakes are high, don't just do something, pray.

Intercession is how we serve one another in prayer.