The Ministry of Intercession Part 13

EIGHTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit on all Christian Workers

="Ye also helping together on our behalf; that for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many, thanks may be given by many on our behalf."=--2 COR. i. 11.

What mult.i.tudes of workers in connection with our churches and missions, our railways and postmen, our soldiers and sailors, our young men and young women, our fallen men and women, our poor and sick. G.o.d be praised for this! What could they accomplish if each were living in the fulness of the Holy Spirit? Pray for them; it makes you a partner in their work, and you will praise G.o.d each time you hear of blessing anywhere.

HOW TO PRAY.--With definite Pet.i.tions

="What wilt thou that I should do unto thee?"=--LUKE xviii. 41.

The Lord knew what the man wanted, and yet He asked him. The utterance of our wish gives point to the transaction in which we are engaged with G.o.d, and so awakens faith and expectation. Be very definite in your pet.i.tions, so as to know what answer you may look for. Just think of the great host of workers, and ask and expect G.o.d definitely to bless them in answer to the prayers of His people. Then ask still more definitely for workers around you. Intercession is not the breathing out of pious wishes; its aim is, in believing, persevering prayer, to receive and bring down blessing.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

NINTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For G.o.d's Spirit on our Mission Work

"The evangelisation of the world depends first of all upon a revival of prayer. Deeper than the need for men--ay, deep down at the bottom of our spiritless life, is the need for the forgotten secret of prevailing, world-wide prayer."

="As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul. Then when they had fasted and prayed, they sent them away. So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed."=--ACTS xiii. 2, 3, 4.

Pray that our mission work may all be done in this spirit--waiting on G.o.d, hearing the voice of the Spirit, sending forth men with fasting and prayer. Pray that in our churches our mission interest and mission work may be in the power of the Holy Spirit and of prayer. It is a Spirit-filled, praying Church will send out Spirit-filled missionaries, mighty in prayer.

HOW TO PRAY.--Take Time

="I give myself unto prayer."=--PS. cix. 4.

="We will give ourselves continually to prayer."=--ACTS vi. 4.

="Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter anything before G.o.d."=--ECCLES. v. 2.

="And He continued all night in prayer to G.o.d."=--LUKE vi. 12.

Time is one of the chief standards of value. The time we give is a proof of the interest we feel.

We need time with G.o.d--to realise His presence; to wait for Him to make Himself known; to consider and feel the needs we plead for; to take our place in Christ; to pray till we can believe that we have received. Take time in prayer, and pray down blessing on the mission work of the Church.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

TENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For G.o.d's Spirit on our Missionaries

"What the world needs to-day is, not only more missionaries, but the outpouring of G.o.d's Spirit on everyone whom He has sent out to work for Him in the foreign field."

="Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be My witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth."=--ACTS i. 8.

G.o.d always gives His servants power equal to the work He asks of them.

Think of the greatness and difficulty of this work,--casting out Satan out of his strongholds,--and pray that everyone who takes part in it may receive and do all his work in the power of the Holy Ghost. Think of the difficulties of your missionaries, and pray for them.

HOW TO PRAY.--Trusting G.o.d's Faithfulness

="He is faithful that promised." "She counted Him faithful who promised."=--HEB. x. 23, xi. 11.

Just think of G.o.d's promises to His Son, concerning His kingdom; to the Church, concerning the heathen; to His servants, concerning their work; to yourself, concerning your prayer; and pray in the a.s.surance that He is faithful, and only waits for prayer and faith to fulfil them.