Praying For Others
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are
lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light
of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of
God, should shine unto them
(2 Corinthians 4:3-4)
An aspect of our priestly ministry as Christians is
praying for others: interceding on their behalf
against the forces of darkness. This is so important
for us to do, especially for those amongst us who
may still be weak, ignorant, and unable to stand for
themselves.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that when
we intercede, God isn’t the one holding back from us.
He’s not the one causing the problem; therefore, we
shouldn’t pray as though He’s the one we’re trying to
persuade.
For example, if you’re interceding for someone
who’s sick, it’s not God that made him sick. So, it would
be wrong to be pleading and begging God to heal
him. Instead, you’re to stand in the authority of Jesus
Christ against the sickness. You’re to remain persistent
in prayer, mounting pressure on the adversary on
behalf of that one who’s sick, to help him obtain his
healing.
You may have been interceding for a while for
someone to receive salvation, and it may seem there’s
no positive outcome. The reason might be that you
were praying as though God is the one holding the
person back from receiving salvation; you’ve been
prevailing on God to “save” him. No! The grace of
God that brings salvation has been made available to
all men (Titus 2:11). In Christ, salvation has already
been wrought for every man; it’s part of what Jesus
came to accomplish.
Therefore, in interceding for the lost, you address
the culprit: Satan! He’s the god of this world; the one
who has blinded the minds of men so they wouldn’t
believe the Gospel. He’s the reason some people will
do just anything to resist the message of the Gospel.
But blessed be God! As Christians, we have the
authority to break Satan’s hold off people’s minds, so
the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine
unto them for salvation.
If there’s someone you’ve been praying for to
receive salvation, that’s what you need to do! Write
down that person’s name, and declare, “In the Name
of the Lord Jesus, I break the power of the devil off Mr
John, and I claim his deliverance and salvation.” You’ll
be amazed that as simple as that prayer is, you’ll get
the desired result.
Prayer
I thank you Father for giving me authority to break Satan’s
hold and influence over men’s lives that they may receive
salvation. I declare that the Gospel message is growing and
prevailing around the world, bringing about a mighty harvest
of souls into the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
1 Timothy 2:14; Luke 22:3132
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
2 Timothy 1:1-18
Jeremiah 17-18
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 7:32-44
2 Kings 13-14