Intercessory Intercessory PrayerPrayer

A clergyman from New A clergyman from New York, during a call on York, during a call on

President Lincoln at the President Lincoln at the White House said:White House said:

"I have not come to "I have not come to ask any favors of ask any favors of you, Mr. President; you, Mr. President; I have only come to I have only come to say that the loyal say that the loyal people of the North people of the North are sustaining you are sustaining you and will continue to and will continue to do so. do so.

We are giving you all We are giving you all that we have, the that we have, the lives of our sons as lives of our sons as well as our well as our confidence and our confidence and our prayers. You must prayers. You must know that no boy's know that no boy's father or mother father or mother ever kneels in prayer ever kneels in prayer these days without these days without asking God to give asking God to give you strength and you strength and wisdom."wisdom."

His eyes brimming with His eyes brimming with tears, Mr. Lincoln replied:tears, Mr. Lincoln replied:

““If it wasn’t for those If it wasn’t for those prayers, I should prayers, I should have faltered and have faltered and perhaps failed long perhaps failed long ago. Tell every father ago. Tell every father and mother you know and mother you know to keep on praying, to keep on praying, and I will keep on and I will keep on fighting, for I know fighting, for I know God is on our side."God is on our side."

As the clergyman started to leave the room, As the clergyman started to leave the room, Mr. Lincoln held him by the hands and said: Mr. Lincoln held him by the hands and said: "I suppose I may consider this as sort of a "I suppose I may consider this as sort of a pastoral call?" "Yes," replied the clergyman. pastoral call?" "Yes," replied the clergyman. "Out in our country," replied Lincoln, "Out in our country," replied Lincoln, "when a parson makes a pastoral call, it "when a parson makes a pastoral call, it was always the custom for the folks to ask was always the custom for the folks to ask him to lead in prayer, and I should like to him to lead in prayer, and I should like to ask you to pray with me today. Pray that I ask you to pray with me today. Pray that I may have the strength and the wisdom."may have the strength and the wisdom."

The two men knelt The two men knelt side by side, and the side by side, and the clergyman offered clergyman offered the most fervent the most fervent plea to Almighty plea to Almighty God that ever fell God that ever fell from his lips. As from his lips. As they arose, the they arose, the President clasped President clasped his visitor's hand his visitor's hand and remarked in a and remarked in a satisfied sort of way: satisfied sort of way: "I feel better.""I feel better."

Psalms 5:1-12 KJVPsalms 5:1-12 KJV(1) <To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.> (1) <To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.>

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.(2) Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for (2) Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for

unto thee will I pray.unto thee will I pray.(3) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the (3) My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the

morning will I direct morning will I direct [my prayer][my prayer] unto thee, and will look up. unto thee, and will look up.(4) For thou (4) For thou [art][art] not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness:

neither shall evil dwell with thee.neither shall evil dwell with thee.(5) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all (5) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all

workers of iniquity.workers of iniquity.(6) Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will (6) Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will

abhor the bloody and deceitful man.abhor the bloody and deceitful man.(7) But as for me, I will come (7) But as for me, I will come [into][into] thy house in the multitude thy house in the multitude

of thy mercy: of thy mercy: [and][and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.temple.

(8) Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of (8) Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

(9) For (9) For [there is][there is] no faithfulness in their mouth; their no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part inward part [is][is] very wickedness; their throat very wickedness; their throat [is][is] an an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

(10) Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their (10) Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

(11) But let all those that put their trust in thee (11) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.joyful in thee.

(12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with (12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as favour wilt thou compass him as [with][with] a shield. a shield.

Today begins a series of Today begins a series of sermons on Prayer…sermons on Prayer…

What is Prayer?What is Prayer? When do we pray?When do we pray? Why is prayer important?Why is prayer important? What are some conditions that must be What are some conditions that must be

met?met? Why does it seem God doesn’t answer Why does it seem God doesn’t answer

prayer?prayer? How do I pray for others…How do I pray for others…These questions, along with others will be These questions, along with others will be

answered in the next few weeks…answered in the next few weeks…

1. WHEN TO INTERCEDE 1. WHEN TO INTERCEDE 5:1-3 5:1-3

SPONTANEOUSLYSPONTANEOUSLY - WHEN EVER - WHEN EVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT 5:1,2YOU FEEL LIKE IT 5:1,2

SPECIFICALLYSPECIFICALLY - ESPECIALLY - ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE IT 5:3WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE IT 5:3

SPONTANEOUSLY - WHEN SPONTANEOUSLY - WHEN EVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT EVER YOU FEEL LIKE IT

5:1,2 5:1,2 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.my God: for unto thee will I pray.

Have you ever just looked to Heaven and Cried, Have you ever just looked to Heaven and Cried, “HELP!!!”“HELP!!!”

Hebrews 4:16 KJVHebrews 4:16 KJVLet us therefore come boldly unto the throne of Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace

to help in time of need.to help in time of need.

Grace: Getting what you don’t deserveGrace: Getting what you don’t deserve Mercy: Not getting what you do Mercy: Not getting what you do

deservedeserve

SPECIFICALLY - ESPECIALLY SPECIFICALLY - ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE WHEN WE DON'T FEEL LIKE

IT 5:3 IT 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O

LORD; in the morning will I direct LORD; in the morning will I direct [my [my prayer]prayer] unto thee, and will look up. unto thee, and will look up.

Even Jesus set aside time to pray.Even Jesus set aside time to pray.

Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.evening was come, he was there alone.

Mark 6:46 And when he had sent them Mark 6:46 And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to away, he departed into a mountain to pray.pray.

Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those Luke 6:12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.prayer to God.

What is your set time?What is your set time?

2. HOW TO INTERCEDE 2. HOW TO INTERCEDE 5:4-75:4-7

RESPECTFULRESPECTFUL BECAUSE OF WHO BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS 5:4-5GOD IS 5:4-5

WithWith RECOGNITIONRECOGNITION BECAUSE OF BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD DOES 5:6WHAT GOD DOES 5:6

REVERENTIALREVERENTIAL BECAUSE OF WHO BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE 5:7WE ARE 5:7

RESPECTFUL BECAUSE OF RESPECTFUL BECAUSE OF WHO GOD IS 5:4-5 WHO GOD IS 5:4-5

(4) For thou (4) For thou [art][art] not a God that hath pleasure not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.thee.

(5) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou (5) The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.hatest all workers of iniquity.

How much do you How much do you respect God?respect God?

Do you fear God?Do you fear God? (Proverbs 1:7) The (Proverbs 1:7) The

fear of the LORD fear of the LORD [is][is] the beginning of the beginning of knowledge: knowledge: [but][but] fools fools despise wisdom and despise wisdom and instruction.instruction.

God demands our God demands our respect…respect…

Ananias and Sapphira:Ananias and Sapphira:

Acts 5:4-5 Whiles it Acts 5:4-5 Whiles it remained, was it not remained, was it not thine own? and after it thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in was sold, was it not in thine own power? why thine own power? why hast thou conceived this hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. (5) men, but unto God. (5) And Ananias hearing And Ananias hearing these words fell down, these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on and great fear came on all them that heard all them that heard these things.these things.

RECOGNITION BECAUSE RECOGNITION BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD DOES 5:6OF WHAT GOD DOES 5:6

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful

man.man.

Leasing: Old English word for liesLeasing: Old English word for lies

God is in Control… God is in Control…

He will protect His….He will protect His….

Nothing happens without God’s permission…Nothing happens without God’s permission…

REVERENTIAL BECAUSE REVERENTIAL BECAUSE OF WHO WE ARE 5:7OF WHO WE ARE 5:7

But as for me, I will come But as for me, I will come [into][into] thy house in the thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: multitude of thy mercy: [and][and] in thy fear will I in thy fear will I

worship toward thy holy temple.worship toward thy holy temple.

Who are we compared to God?Who are we compared to God? This is what God was saying to JobThis is what God was saying to Job

Job 40:7-8Job 40:7-8

Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. (8) Wilt of thee, and declare thou unto me. (8) Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

WHAT TO INTERCEDE FOR WHAT TO INTERCEDE FOR 5:8-12 5:8-12

GUIDANCE FOR OURSELVES 5:8 GUIDANCE FOR OURSELVES 5:8 JUSTICE FOR EVIL DOERS 5:10 JUSTICE FOR EVIL DOERS 5:10 SECURITY FOR THE RIGHTEOUS SECURITY FOR THE RIGHTEOUS

5:11-12 5:11-12

GUIDANCE FOR GUIDANCE FOR OURSELVES 5:8OURSELVES 5:8

(8) Lead me, O LORD, in thy (8) Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.make thy way straight before my face.

For GuidanceFor Guidance

So that you will walk in God’s So that you will walk in God’s righteousnessrighteousness

When enemies attackWhen enemies attack

When you don’t see a straight pathWhen you don’t see a straight path

In every day decisionsIn every day decisions

JUSTICE FOR EVIL DOERS JUSTICE FOR EVIL DOERS 5:105:10

(10) Destroy thou them, O God; let (10) Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.rebelled against thee.

Justice, What is it?Justice, What is it? We say we want We say we want

Justice… Justice… But do we want But do we want

it for it for everybody… or everybody… or do we just want do we just want our way?!!our way?!!

Examine your Examine your heart.heart.

SECURITY FOR THE SECURITY FOR THE RIGHTEOUS 5:11-12RIGHTEOUS 5:11-12

(11) But let all those that put their trust in (11) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

(12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the (12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as him as [with][with] a shield. a shield.

First let’s look at security through First let’s look at security through blessings…blessings…

SECURITY THROUGH SECURITY THROUGH BLESSINGBLESSING

(12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; (12) For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with favour wilt thou compass him as [with][with] a a shield.shield.

God will bless the righteous… are you God will bless the righteous… are you righteous?righteous?

Physical blessingsPhysical blessingsSpiritual blessings…Spiritual blessings…

He shows favoritism to believers over He shows favoritism to believers over unbelievers…unbelievers…

He puts a hedge of protection around the He puts a hedge of protection around the righteous. Like a defensive force field…righteous. Like a defensive force field…

SECURITY THROUGH SECURITY THROUGH PROTECTION PROTECTION

(11) But let all those that put their trust (11) But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.thee.

How much do you trust in the Lord?How much do you trust in the Lord? When enemies arise, do you try to fight.. When enemies arise, do you try to fight..

Or do you let God do the fighting?Or do you let God do the fighting? Those that truly love the Lord will be Those that truly love the Lord will be

joyful about the Lord’s work.joyful about the Lord’s work.

Intercessory Prayer..Intercessory Prayer.. When do you pray?When do you pray?

Your set aside time, Your set aside time, and when you feel the and when you feel the need.need.

How do you pray?How do you pray?

Respectfully, and Respectfully, and Reverently, Reverently, recognizing the recognizing the power of Godpower of God

What do you pray What do you pray for?for?

Guidance for Guidance for ourselvesourselves

Justice for evil doersJustice for evil doers

Security for the Security for the righteousrighteous

One last question One last question that we haven’t that we haven’t covered so far…covered so far…

What has God What has God promised those that promised those that trust him to help trust him to help through prayer?through prayer?

Isaiah 40:28-31Isaiah 40:28-31Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, [that][that]

the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? [there is][there is] no searching of his understanding. no searching of his understanding.

(29) He giveth power to the faint; and to (29) He giveth power to the faint; and to [them [them that have]that have] no might he increaseth strength. no might he increaseth strength.

(30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and (30) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: the young men shall utterly fall:

(31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew (31) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their][their] strength; they shall mount up with wings strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and][and] they shall walk, and not faint.they shall walk, and not faint.