January 20th, 2023 - Asking for Others
Asking for Others
PAUSE
As we come to the end of this week, let’s take a moment to prepare our hearts to welcome God’s presence.
Maybe even as we begin this time, let’s reflect on all that we have learned about God’s presence throughout this week of devotions.
So let’s slow down, set our minds on the things above, and open our hearts to allow God’s presence to take over. Right now, in this moment, God wants to meet with you and draw near to you. All we have to do is prepare our hearts for him to do so.
Father, you are holy, righteous, and seated in heaven; sovereignly looking over every aspect of our lives. However, at the same time you are present right here in this moment with me. Father, I ask that as I draw near to you, you would draw near to me.
REFLECT
Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 20.
Before going any further, we need to set up an important piece of context for Psalm 20. Psalm 20 was a “National Anthem” of sorts as David, and the Israelites, were preparing for war. Specifically, Psalm 20 was a song that the people would sing for David, their king, as he was going to battle.
So as we read this Psalm, ultimately we will see that this Psalm was a prayer of the people in Israel on behalf of David, their king. So essentially, Psalm 20 was prayer from the people for God to protect their king and bring him victory. This is what is known as intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is when we simply pray to God and lay requests before him on behalf of other people, and that is exactly what Psalm 20 demonstrates.
With that being said, let’s read.
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. 9 O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.
Psalm 20:1-8
After understanding the context of Psalm 20, we begin to see how as we pray intercessory prayers over others, we are ultimately inviting God’s presence into their lives. And not only do we begin to see God’s presence in their lives, but we also see God’s presence in our lives as we pray on behalf of others.
In the first 4 verses, the people are praying fervently for David. They are praying for God’s presence and power to go before David. They are praying for David’s protection and success. They are seeking the favor of God on David’s behalf.
This Psalm shows the beauty, love, and power that is found in intercessory prayer. God is pleased when we seek him on behalf of others, because sometimes the best way we can love someone is to pray for them. And as we pray for others, the power and presence of God is ushered into their lives. This is why there is so much power in intercessory prayer.
However, as the Psalm goes on the people begin to praise God themselves. In verse 5 the people begin to shout for joy and begin to declare their trust in God! It’s almost as if they are reminded of God’s goodness, power, and faithfulness as they are praying petitions for their king.
I believe this Psalm speaks to the truth that as we pray for God’s presence to be made known in the lives of others, we are reminded of his presence ourselves! This is yet another reason why intercessory prayer is so powerful and vital as we follow Jesus.
So as we continue to reflect on this Psalm and go about our day, let’s be intentional about praying on behalf of others. Let’s be intentional about asking God to make himself known and deliver others from whatever trials or battles they may be facing. Let’s stand strong in faith and “trust in the name of the Lord our God”. As we commit to praying for others, let’s also expect God to move in our own lives as well.
ASK
Spend some time asking the Lord, who in my life desperately needs prayer? Who in my life is in a difficult season of life and needs deliverance? Who in my life is facing health issues and needs healing? Who in my life is living in addiction and needs freedom? Who in my life is an enemy that has wronged me but needs forgiveness? Who in my life has never experienced your presence, Father, and needs to experience it for the first time?
Who in your life needs prayer on their behalf right now?
YIELD
As the Lord begins to bring names and people to mind, pray prayers of intercession for them in that moment. Go to the Lord on their behalf, and make petitions for them! We are so bad about knowing people need prayer, and even telling people that we will pray for them, but we never actually spend intentional time in prayer for them. Let’s not make that mistake today, and let’s spend time praying for these people, by name, right now.
Pray: Father, you are sovereign and in control of all things. You know exactly what is happening in each of our lives, and you know what we are going to pray before we ever speak a word. But right now I want to lift up the names of people you have placed in my life who desperately need you to work and move. I pray that your presence would meet them exactly where they are at, and I ask that you provide whatever deliverance, healing, freedom, or salvation may be needed. I trust in the power of your name Lord, and I believe that you can do far more than all I could ever ask of you. Amen.
As we come to the end of this week, let’s take a moment to prepare our hearts to welcome God’s presence.
Maybe even as we begin this time, let’s reflect on all that we have learned about God’s presence throughout this week of devotions.
So let’s slow down, set our minds on the things above, and open our hearts to allow God’s presence to take over. Right now, in this moment, God wants to meet with you and draw near to you. All we have to do is prepare our hearts for him to do so.
Father, you are holy, righteous, and seated in heaven; sovereignly looking over every aspect of our lives. However, at the same time you are present right here in this moment with me. Father, I ask that as I draw near to you, you would draw near to me.
REFLECT
Our Scripture for today comes from Psalm 20.
Before going any further, we need to set up an important piece of context for Psalm 20. Psalm 20 was a “National Anthem” of sorts as David, and the Israelites, were preparing for war. Specifically, Psalm 20 was a song that the people would sing for David, their king, as he was going to battle.
So as we read this Psalm, ultimately we will see that this Psalm was a prayer of the people in Israel on behalf of David, their king. So essentially, Psalm 20 was prayer from the people for God to protect their king and bring him victory. This is what is known as intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is when we simply pray to God and lay requests before him on behalf of other people, and that is exactly what Psalm 20 demonstrates.
With that being said, let’s read.
1 May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! 2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 3 May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah
4 May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans! 5 May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions! 6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright. 9 O Lord, save the king! May he answer us when we call.
Psalm 20:1-8
After understanding the context of Psalm 20, we begin to see how as we pray intercessory prayers over others, we are ultimately inviting God’s presence into their lives. And not only do we begin to see God’s presence in their lives, but we also see God’s presence in our lives as we pray on behalf of others.
In the first 4 verses, the people are praying fervently for David. They are praying for God’s presence and power to go before David. They are praying for David’s protection and success. They are seeking the favor of God on David’s behalf.
This Psalm shows the beauty, love, and power that is found in intercessory prayer. God is pleased when we seek him on behalf of others, because sometimes the best way we can love someone is to pray for them. And as we pray for others, the power and presence of God is ushered into their lives. This is why there is so much power in intercessory prayer.
However, as the Psalm goes on the people begin to praise God themselves. In verse 5 the people begin to shout for joy and begin to declare their trust in God! It’s almost as if they are reminded of God’s goodness, power, and faithfulness as they are praying petitions for their king.
I believe this Psalm speaks to the truth that as we pray for God’s presence to be made known in the lives of others, we are reminded of his presence ourselves! This is yet another reason why intercessory prayer is so powerful and vital as we follow Jesus.
So as we continue to reflect on this Psalm and go about our day, let’s be intentional about praying on behalf of others. Let’s be intentional about asking God to make himself known and deliver others from whatever trials or battles they may be facing. Let’s stand strong in faith and “trust in the name of the Lord our God”. As we commit to praying for others, let’s also expect God to move in our own lives as well.
ASK
Spend some time asking the Lord, who in my life desperately needs prayer? Who in my life is in a difficult season of life and needs deliverance? Who in my life is facing health issues and needs healing? Who in my life is living in addiction and needs freedom? Who in my life is an enemy that has wronged me but needs forgiveness? Who in my life has never experienced your presence, Father, and needs to experience it for the first time?
Who in your life needs prayer on their behalf right now?
YIELD
As the Lord begins to bring names and people to mind, pray prayers of intercession for them in that moment. Go to the Lord on their behalf, and make petitions for them! We are so bad about knowing people need prayer, and even telling people that we will pray for them, but we never actually spend intentional time in prayer for them. Let’s not make that mistake today, and let’s spend time praying for these people, by name, right now.
Pray: Father, you are sovereign and in control of all things. You know exactly what is happening in each of our lives, and you know what we are going to pray before we ever speak a word. But right now I want to lift up the names of people you have placed in my life who desperately need you to work and move. I pray that your presence would meet them exactly where they are at, and I ask that you provide whatever deliverance, healing, freedom, or salvation may be needed. I trust in the power of your name Lord, and I believe that you can do far more than all I could ever ask of you. Amen.
Posted in 2023 Prayer and Fasting
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January
January 9th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 10th, 2023 - The Burning BushJanuary 11th, 2023 - Strong and Courageous January 12th, 2023 - Obediently Set ApartJanuary 13th, 2023 - Faithful Among Enemy NationsJanuary 14th, 2023 - Adventure AwaitsJanuary 16th, 2023 - Be StillJanuary 17th, 2023 - God Inhabits His PraisesJanuary 18th, 2023 - Enjoying God's PresenceJanuary 19th, 2023 - Broken & Contrite HeartJanuary 20th, 2023 - Asking for OthersJanuary 21st, 2023 - Petition and ProvisionJanuary 23rd, 2023 - One Body, Many PartsJanuary 24th, 2023 - Love One AnotherJanuary 25th, 2023 - Unity in the BodyJanuary 26th, 2023 - Consider Others BetterJanuary 27th, 2023 - Living in the LightJanuary 28th, 2023 - Don't Let Anger Control YouJanuary 30, 2023 - The Power of FastingJanuary 31st, 2023 - Pray as You Can
February
February 1st, 2023 - ScriptureFebruary 2nd, 2023 - Sabbath Day, Best DayFebruary 3rd, 2023 - SimplicityFebruary 4th, 2023 - WorshipFebruary 6th, 2023 - Love Your NeighborFebruary 7th, 2023 - Come and See, Go and TellFebruary 8th, 2023 - GenerosityFebruary 9th, 2023 - Caring for the VulnerableFebruary 10, 2023 - HospitalityFebruary 11th, 2023 - Build
2022
January
Covid UpdateDay 1 - Is It Worth It?Day 2 - God Promises His PresenceDay 3 - Aligning Ourselves With GodDay 4 - The Voice of the ShepherdVision 2022 - Begins this Sunday!Day 5 - Rushing or Resting?Day 6 - "By the Grace of God"Day 7 - A Day for Rest and WorshipDay 8 - Ask Boldly and Surrender CompletelyDay 9 - Our Deliverance for His GloryDay 10 - Ask for the ImpossibleDay 11 - Adversity Meets Unwavering FaithWhat an incredible start to 2022!!Day 12 - Focus Reveals FaithDay 13 - Impossible Mission!Day 15 - Followers of JesusDay 16 - The Good News of God’s LoveDay 17 - Radical Love Leads People to JesusLet's Try this Again...Day 18 - Relentless CommitmentDay 19 - Unending Power SourceDay 20 - Come and See, Go and TellDay 22 - Many Parts, One BodyDay 23 - A New Command - Love One AnotherDay 24 - One Body and One LordDay 25 - Be Angry, But Do Not SinDo you Belong?Day 26 - The Commandment of LoveDay 27 - The Attitude and Obedience of Christ
March
Day 1 - Seeking the Lord TogetherDay 2 - Ash WednesdayDay 3 - The Baptism of JesusDay 4 - The Word as a WeaponDay 5 - Freedom in ConfessionDay 6 - Love Your EnemiesDay 7 - Anxious for NothingDay 8 - Effective PrayerDay 9 - Amazing FaithDay 10 - The Bleeding WomanDay 11 - Confidence in GodDay 12 - Fear Not!Day 13 - Come and RestDay 14 - Kingdom Minded CommunityDay 15 - The TreasureDay 16 - Peace in His PresenceDay 17 - Raise the RoofDay 18 - A Parent's CommitmentDay 19 - Too Good to be TrueDay 20 - Only JesusDay 21 - The Ninety-Nine and the OneDay 22 - Salvation Through SurrenderDay 23 - Good Rest from a Good ShepherdDay 24 - Read the RoomDay 25 - A Fruitful FaithDay 26 - The Wedding FeastDay 27 - Serve Like Jesus