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Make it Rain

    Prayer is a huge part of our Christian life. It is our communication with God and our means to invite His light and power into the darkness of life. We ask for God to come into our life and work on our behalf. But what does the Bible say about praying for others? It outlines the importance of part of our prayer life being devoted to praying for all the saints, or other believers. This is sometimes referred to as intercession, which is defined as "the action of pleading on somebody's behalf." In my mind, I imagine standing between God and someone else and asking for His mercy on them and their situation. 

    My eyes have been opened to a new way of looking at intercession today. James 5:16 came to my mind and I was reminded that the Lord hears the prayers of the righteous. It made me think about those who are walking in unrighteousness. It dawned on me the importance for a righteous person to pray for those who are struggling to live blamelessly! 

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. (NIV)

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. (NIV)

1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people (ESV)

 Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. (HCSB)

    There are many examples of a righteous person interceding on behalf of others who have not been living in that place. I want to share with you the example of Samuel, taken from 1 Samuel chapter 12. Israel turned away from the Lord as their King, wanting to have a worldly king over them instead. Samuel, a prophet of the Lord, reminded them of all the things God had done for Israel and then said he would pray to Him to send rain as a sign of His power. Rain was out of season at this time and it could only be a sign of the Lord's presence being ushered in by His faithful servant, Samuel. 

1 Samuel 12:16-25
 “Now stand here and see the great thing the Lord is about to do. You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the Lord to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the Lord for a king!”

So Samuel called to the Lord, and the Lord sent thunder and rain that day. And all the people were terrified of the Lord and of Samuel. “Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!” they all said to Samuel. “For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king.”

“Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.

“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. But if you continue to sin, you and your king will be swept away.” (NLT)

    This passage clearly shows how God used a righteous man's prayers to turn a whole nation back to Him! Where at first they had deemed this man unimportant, He has turned them back to the fruitful life of following God. I also love how Samuel adds at the end that he will not stop praying for them. He recognizes the importance of His prayers to the Lord on their behalf. Start thinking of your own prayers and intercessions differently today. Is God putting someone on your heart who needs your righteous prayers? Do not hesitate to step into that position today. You never know what good can be done through a simple conversation with God!

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