Prayer For Intercessors To Develop A Servant Heart

Prayers After Holy Communion (EN)

Read in English according to the Jordanville Prayer Book, 1986. Courtesy for POMOG parishioners only. Other visitors are encouraged to purchase these prayers at the Hermitage of the Holy Cross web-site.

Glory to Thee, O God, Glory to Thee, O God, Glory to Thee, O God.

Prayer of Thanksgiving, 1

I thank Thee, O Lord my God, that Thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but hast vouchsafed me to be a communicant of Thy Holy Things. I thank Thee that Thou hast vouchsafed me, the unworthy, to partake of Thy most pure and heavenly Gifts.

But, O Master, Lover of mankind, Who for our sake didst die and didst rise again, and didst bestow upon us these dread and life-giving Mysteries for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant that these may be even unto me for the healing of both soul and body, for the averting of everything hostile, for the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of the powers of my soul, for faith unashamed, for love unfeigned, for the fullness of wisdom, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy divine grace, and for the attainment of Thy kingdom; that being preserved by them in Thy holiness, I may remember Thy grace always, and no longer live for myself, but for Thee, our Master and Benefactor; and thus when I shall have departed this life in hope of life eternal, I may attain unto everlasting rest, where the sound of them that keep festival is unceasing, and the delight is endless of them that behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true desire and the unutterable gladness of them that love Thee, O Christ our God, and all creation doth hymn Thee unto the ages. Amen.

Prayer 2, of Basil the Great

O Master Christ God, King of the ages and Creator of all things, I thank Thee for all the good things which Thou hast bestowed upon me, and for the communion of Thy most pure and life creating Mysteries.

I pray Thee, therefore, O Good One and Lover of mankind: Keep me under Thy protection and in the shadow of Thy wings; and grant me, even until my last breath, to partake worthily, with a pure conscience, of Thy Holy Things, unto the remission of sins and life eternal.

For Thou art the Bread of life, the Source of holiness, the Giver of good things; and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer 3, Verses of Metaphrastes

O Thou Who givest me willingly Thy Flesh as food, Thou Who art fire that doth consume the unworthy, let me not be scorched, O my Creator. But rather, enter Thou into my members, into all my joints, my reins, my heart. Burn up the thorns of all my sins. Purify my soul, sanctify my thoughts.

Strengthen my substance together with my bones. Enlighten my simple five senses. Nail down the whole of me with the fear of Thee. Ever protect, preserve, and keep me from every soul-corrupting deed and word. Purify, cleanse, and adorn me; make me comely, give me understanding, and enlighten me.

Show me to be the dwelling-place of Thy Spirit alone, and no longer the habitation of sin; that from me as Thine abode through the entry of Communion, every evildoer, every passion may flee as from fire.

For Thou alone art our sanctification, O Good One, and the radiance of our souls, and unto Thee as God and Master, we all send up glory, as is meet, every day.

Prayer 4

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, may Thy holy Body be unto me for life eternal, and Thy precious Blood for the remission of sins; and may this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness. And at Thy dread Second Coming vouchsafe me, a sinner, to stand at the right hand of Thy glory, through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother and of all the saints.

Prayer 5, to the Most Holy Theotokos

O most holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, my hope, protection, refuge, consolation, my joy: I thank thee that thou hast vouchsafed me, who am unworthy, to be a partaker of the most pure Body and precious Blood of thy Son.

O thou who gavest birth to the True Light, do thou enlighten the spiritual eyes of my heart; thou who gavest birth to the Source of immortality, revive me who am dead in sin; thou who art the lovingly-compassionate Mother of the merciful God, have mercy on me, and grant me compunction and contrition in my heart, and humility in my thoughts, and the recall of my thoughts from captivity. And vouchsafe me, until my last breath, to receive without condemnation the sanctification of the most pure Mysteries, for the healing of both soul and body; and grant me tears of repentance and confession, that I may hymn and glorify thee all the days of my life, for blessed and most glorious art thou unto the ages. Amen.

Prayer of St. Symeon

Now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, O Master, according to Thy word; for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.

Trisagion

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom: Troparion, Tone 8

Grace shining forth from thy mouth a beacon hath illumined the universe, and disclosed to the world treasures of uncovetousness, and shown us the heights of humility; but while instructing by thy words, O Father John Chrysostom, intercede with the Word, Christ our God, to save our souls.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 6

From the heavens hast thou received divine grace and by thy lips thou dost teach all to worship the One God in Trinity, O John Chrysostom, all-blessed righteous one. Rightly do we acclaim thee, for thou art a teacher revealing things divine.

Liturgy of St. Basil the Great: Troparion, Tone 1

Thy fame hath gone forth into all the earth, which hath received thy word. Thereby thou hast divinely taught the Faith; thou hast made manifest the nature of created things; thou hast made the moral life of men a royal priesthood. O Basil, our righteous father, intercede with Christ God that our souls be saved.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Kontakion, Tone 4

Thou didst prove to be an unshakable foundation of the Church, giving to all mortals an inviolate lordship, and sealing it with thy doctrines, O righteous Basil, revealer of heavenly things.

Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

O protection of Christians that cannot be put to shame, O mediation unto the Creator unfailing, disdain not the suppliant voices of sinners; but be thou quick, O good one, to help us who in faith cry unto thee; hasten to intercession and speed thou to make supplication, thou who dost ever protect, O Theotokos, them that honour thee.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Источник: //pomog.org/prayers-after-holy-communion-en/

Seven Prayers That Heal the Heart – Adapted for Intercessors Who Are Praying for Others

We prefer to see people do their own prayer work. However there are times when an intercessor may be called upon to pray and intercede for another. This surely is biblical as God has ordained intercession.

Some examples of intercession would include a parent praying for their child, or one praying for their spouse or friend. And we are to pray for those in authority over us, so there is no reason these prayers could not be applied to localities, communities, groups of people, and nations.

Below is an adaptation of the Prayers That Heal the Heart by Mark and Patti Virkler into a format for intercessors.

1. Break generational sins and curses

On behalf of __________, I confess and repent of his/her ancestors’, parents’, and his/her own sin and resulting curses of  list all of them .

Please forgive __________, and his/her parents, and help them all to receive Your forgiveness, and to forgive themselves, in Jesus’ Name.

I place the cross of Jesus Christ between __________’s ancestors and parents and __________, as a baby in his/her mother’s womb. I command all these sins and curses to be halted at the cross of Jesus Christ, and for freedom and release from them to flow down from the cross of Jesus Christ to __________ in his/her mother’s womb, in Jesus’ Name.

2. Sever ungodly soul ties

On behalf of __________, I confess and repent of his/her sin of ungodly soul ties with all others, formed at any time throughout his/her life.

Lord, please cut all these ungodly soul ties, and restore the broken or torn portions of his/her soul. Please remove anything that came into him/her through these soul ties, sins and curses, or any other way, and please bring back anything godly that was stolen from him/her, in Jesus’ Name.

3. Renounce negative beliefs and inner vows

On behalf of __________, I confess and repent of any negative beliefs and inner vows that resulted from these sins and curses, and I ask You, Lord, to replace them with countering divine truths, and help __________ to live by these divine truths, in Jesus’ Name. __________ will know the truth and the truth will make him/her free, in Jesus’ Name!

4. Break word curses

On behalf of __________, I confess and repent of him/her receiving any word curses spoken over him/her, and I ask you to help him/her forgive and release himself/herself and others for speaking these word curses over him/her. I break all word curses over __________ right now in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I ask that he/she receive Your divine blessings to replace these word curses, in Jesus’ Name.

5. Pray for release from bitterness and painful memories

Lord, please help _________ to be released from the emotional power of painful memories and other memories, and to realize that in some cases You may have wanted him/her to move on to a new season in life. Please heal his/her soul wounds, and replace these memories with the knowledge that he/she is loved and cared for by You, in Jesus’ Name.

6. Cast out demons

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, on behalf of __________, I renounce and break all agreements with the demons and strongholds of (list all of them).

In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I take authority over and bind the demons and strongholds of  list all of them , and I command you to leave __________ now in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do not go into anyone else in the building. Leave the building now, leave the property and leave the area. Leave his/her home now, leave his/her property and leave the area, in Jesus’ Name.

Thank you, Lord, for setting __________ free!

7. Pray for God’s blessings and the infilling of the Holy Spirit

On behalf of __________, I joyfully accept the divine exchange Christ made for him/her on the cross of Calvary. All these sins, curses, word curses, and soul ties are now broken in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I ask You, Lord, to give __________ Your divine blessings in his/her life to replace them, in Jesus’ Name.

Lord, please help __________ to understand that the power to overcome these sins is in You and Your Holy Spirit, not in self-effort, and to turn to You for help in resisting them.

Please help him/her to be (saved, and) filled with the Holy Spirit in order to resist sin in the future. Sin shall have no dominion in __________’s life.

Nearly all of the above prayers are adapted from Mark Virkler’s seven “Prayers That Heal the Heart,” book and CDs.  He acknowledges contributions to the prayers “from several ministries. Most of the ministry steps are drawn from Ministry Tools for Restoring the Foundations, Proclaiming His Word, Santa Rosa Beach, FL”

A Few Verses on Deliverance

“Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your Name.” Luke 10:17

“A woman (a gentile) whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him…She kept asking Him to cast the demon her daughter…Then He said to her, ‘For this saying go your way; the demon has gone your daughter.’ And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.” Mark 7:25,26,29,30

“Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up.

But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, 'Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.' And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God…

ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” Luke 13:10-13,16

“I do nothing of Myself (of my own accord or on my own authority), but I say exactly what My Father has taught Me…He Who sent Me is ever with Me.” John 8:28,29

“Cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Matt.10:8

Demonic Strongholds/Clusters

Here is a list of demonic strongholds to be mindful of when praying. Most come directly from Mark Virkler’s book, Prayers that Heal the Heart.

Cluster 1: anger, hatred, malice, rage, murder, temper, cursing, vengeance, retaliation, violence, abuse, cruelty, sadism, unforgiveness, bitterness, being judgmental or critical, taking offense easily/ irritability, anger towards men or women, anger towards mother or father, anger towards authority, anger/ resentment towards God

Cluster 2: fear, fear of man, fear of authority, doubt/ unbelief, dread, worry, anxiety, fear the worst will happen, fear of various illnesses such as cancer, fear people will get angry with you or won't you, spirit of false responsibility, spirit of rush

Cluster 3: abandonment, desertion, divorce, rejection, neglect, victimization, blocked intimacy, not valuing people/ relationships/ ending relationships, burning bridges, isolation, loneliness, self-pity

Cluster 4: shame, anger, condemnation, disgrace, embarrassment, guilt, hatred, self-hate, self-pity, withdrawal, hiding/ antisocial. timidity, inferiority

Cluster 5: lying, cheating, theft, deception, trickery, untrustworthiness, adultery, emotional adultery, denial, self-deception, secretiveness, hiding purchases/ activities/ relationships

Cluster 6: financial lack, belief in poverty, robbing God by not tithing, not believing in covenant blessings, greed, covetousness, debt, dishonesty, idolatry of possessions, failure

Cluster 7: addictions, alcohol, tobacco, drugs, food, sugar, coffee, chocolate/ sweets, pornography, sex, flirtation, junky magazines/ websites/ TV shows/ movies, overeating, drinking too much alcohol, anything you cannot do in moderation

Cluster 8: sensuality, lust, fantasizing/ coveting another's mate, flirtation, premarital sex, sexual abuse, fornication/ adultery/ emotional adultery, demonic sex, pornography, bondage/ control, rape, incest

Cluster 9: depression, rejection, despair, helplessness, hopelessness, sadness, self-pity, withdrawal, suicide

Cluster 10: grief, sorrow, despair, heartbreak, loss, pain, torment, weeping, anguish, agony

Cluster 11: mental instability, mental illness, compulsions, confusion, hysteria, paranoia, schizophrenia, insanity

Cluster 12: pride, arrogance, disdain, selfishness, control/ pushiness, independence, callousness/ lack of concern for others, gossip

Cluster 13: procrastination, sloth, laziness, distraction/ confusion/ lack of focus, not thinking things through before acting, speaking or writing e-mails, lack of organization/ preparation, lateness/ tardiness, missing appoint-ments/ phone calls

Источник: //www.cwgministries.org/seven-prayers-heal-heart-adopted-interceeding-others

Intercessors | Prayers That Avail Much

An intercessor is an individual who prays for others. That is the simplest yet most comprehensive definition that one could have.

The person who is willing to pray for others sometimes states that she/he felt that it was a deep seated desire or a prompting of the Holy Spirit that drew them to times of prayer for others.

The individual may pray for family members, communities, elected officials, entire regions of a country or at times for a particular nation or its leaders.

Intercession is a part of the life of all believers but for some individuals there is a heartfelt desire or stirring within them to spend time dedicated to bringing individuals and their concerns before the Lord in prayer for extended periods of time.

They are drawn to the prayer times at their church to pray not just for themselves but for the concerns of the church and others. They read books on prayer and find themselves drawn to them. Intercessors tend to flow in compassion and operate in the gift of faith, believing that the Lord will intervene in situations as they pray.

They spend time studying scriptural promises connected to God’s answers when His people intercede in prayer. The intercessor stands in the gap and makes up the hedge (Ezekiel 22:30) for the people of God. They have an ear toward the people to hear their burdens and a heart open toward the Lord in prayer to take these burdens and cares before the Lord.

They learn to walk in humility and the grace of the Lord, knowing that all the glory for answered prayers belong to Him.

If you are interested in joining the great company of Intercessors here at Word Ministries check out the options below. Join us as we join the innumerable company of praying people on the earth believing in a God and Savior that will hear and redeem us.

Your $5.00 a month partnership ensures that Word Ministries will continue to grow and offer support for anyone wanting a DEEPER AND CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Benefits

• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family
• Limited Time: copy of Global Call to Prayer that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

Your $10.00 a month partnership helps provide FOOD, SHELTER, AND TRAINING for the homeless and those who are coming the sex trade in Los Angeles, Bolivia, Romania, Argentina, Brazil and many other nations around the world.

Benefits:

• 20% discount in bookstore.
• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night.
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family.
• Download one chapter of 7 upcoming books between now and 2020.
• Regular webinars with Germaine or David Copeland.
• Limited edition copy of Prayers That Avail Much For Leaders that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.
• Limited Time: copy of Global Call to Prayer that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

Your $5.

00 a month partnership ensures that Word Ministries will continue to grow and offer support for anyone wanting a DEEPER AND CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

 Benefits:

• 20% discount in bookstore.
• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night.
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family.
• Download one chapter of 7 upcoming books between now and 2020.
• Regular webinars with Germaine or David Copeland.
• Limited edition copy of Prayers That Avail Much For Leaders that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.
• Limited Time: copy of Global Call to Prayer that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family
• Limited Time: copy of Global Call to Prayer that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

• 10% discount in bookstore
• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family
• Download one chapter of 7 upcoming books between now and 2020,
• Limited edition copy of Prayers That Avail Much For Leaders that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

• 20% discount in bookstore.
• Access to conference call to pray with Germaine Copeland every Tuesday night.
• Germaine and staff will commit to pray for you and your family.
• Download one chapter of 7 upcoming books between now and 2020.
• Regular webinars with Germaine or David Copeland.
• Limited edition copy of Prayers That Avail Much For Leaders that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.
• Limited Time: copy of Global Call to Prayer that is personally signed by Germaine Copeland.

Intercessor partners of any tier are invited to join a conference call with Germaine Copeland and the Global Company of Intercessors to pray every Tuesday night at 8:00 pm EST.

Источник: //prayers.org/intercessors/

10. Our Intercessor

“I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.”

John 17:20-21 (NET)

If you were about to die, what would you pray for those who would be left behind after you were gone? What would be on your heart for them? In John 17, we get to hear the heart of Jesus as He prayed for those He was about to leave behind at the end of His earthly ministry. Put yourself with the disciples as they listen to His intimate conversation with His Father; consider what you learn about His heart for His people, including you. Think about His desires for you and for His entire church.

Day One Study

Our context is still the section of John that focuses on Jesus’ ministry to His disciples on the evening before His crucifixion. They had at this point left the upper room where they shared in the Passover meal. Preceding His arrest, Jesus prayed for them, and that prayer is our focus this week.

Read John 17:1-26 to get a sense of the entire prayer.

1. What would you consider the theme of this prayer (the most repeated emphasis)? What most strikes you about this prayer? What is most meaningful to you? Why?

Diamonds in the Word: Some scholars point out that departing prayers were common in the ancient world. We see a similar prayer by Moses in Deut. 32-33. Read it and consider what elements it has which are similar to those in Jesus’ prayer.

Focus now on John 17:1-5.

Jesus said once again that the time or hour had come.

2. For whom did Jesus pray in this first section of His prayer? What did He specifically request of God (17:1, 5)?

Burge says, “The Greek word [glory] used here (doxazo) means to venerate, bring homage or praise . . . For Jesus the cross is not a place of shame, but a place of honor.”

3. Sharing question: It seems ironic that Jesus referred to the process of His passion as glorification. What people may see as the humility of defeat was in actuality His greatest victory. What feelings does that evoke in you?

4. Sharing question: How had Jesus already glorified God (17:4)? How well have you brought glory to God in that same way? Rate yourself on a scale of 1-4. What can you do to improve your rating?

5. Write down Jesus’ description of eternal life (17:3). How does it differ from the way most people seem to talk or think about eternal life?

6. Responding to God: Ask God to give you the grace to truly experience your eternal life today! Talk to Him about your desire to intimately know the Triune God. Write your thoughts below.

Day Two Study

Review John 17:1-26. Today we are going to focus on John 17:6-19.

7. For whom was Jesus praying in this section of His prayer? What did He specifically ask God to do for them (17:11, 15, 17)? What was their relationship to the world and why did Jesus pray as He did for them?

Some translations use the phrase “kept safe” in these verses; others say “kept from”. One of the meanings of the Greek word is guard, and that is why many translators use the phrase kept safe.

8. What did it mean to be kept safe by God’s name? Bruce says, “The name of God in the OT denotes not only his character . . . but also his power.”34 Read these cross-references about the power of His name and write down your insights:

b. Ps. 54:1

c. Prov. 18:10

Diamonds in the Word: Consider what you know about the history of the early church from Acts or the epistles. The apostles were not always “safe” from harm; in fact, most of them were martyred. How would you explain this prayer, then?

In John 17:17 Jesus asked the Father to sanctify them, or make them holy. Burge says, “To be holy, then, is not in the first instance a description of perfection (though this is included).

It refers to a life that is so aligned with God that it reflects God’s passions completely (for good, against evil).

Such a person can be considered ‘sanctified,’ holy, attached to God’s purposes and presence.”35

9. By what means did Jesus pray that they would be sanctified or made holy (17:17)? What insights does Rom.12:1-2 give you into defining what it means to be set apart unto God?

10. Sharing question: How well are you using the means that God has provided for you (17:17) to be aligned with His purposes and holy lifestyle in this world? What one thing can you practically do to be sure that you are allowing God to use it to make you holy?

11. Responding to God: Consider Jesus’ petitions for protection from the world and for consecration for God’s purposes and presence in the midst of that world. Write a prayer for yourself below today’s verses. If necessary, confess your sin of prioritizing other things over God’s purposes and His word.

Day Three Study

Reread John 17:1-24, focusing on vv. 20-23. This includes your Precious Word from God to memorize this week.

12. At this point of His prayer, Jesus expanded the group for whom He interceded. For whom did He pray in this section? What was His specific request (17:21)?

13. What did Jesus say would be the result of that specific request being answered (17:21, 23)? What makes someone part of the group that is able to be united this way? (What do you see from comparing the two groups in 17:8, 20?)

d. 1 John 4:1-6

e. 1 Cor: 5:9-13

Diamonds in the Word: What other principles would be involved in having oneness or not being able to do so? What verses can you find to support your thinking?

15. Sharing question: Some of you have experienced major problems in a local church—perhaps even a church split.

Without gossiping or sharing names or people or churches, what did you learn about unity, its foundation, or the witness of unity? OR if you have never been part of a church that was split in some way, what responses about such situations have you heard from friends, etc. who are not Christ-followers?

16. Responding to God: Pray for your church. Pray according to Jesus’ prayer in 17:21-23. Write your prayer below. Consider writing a note to your pastor or other church leaders letting them know that you have prayed this for the leadership and those who attend there.

Day Four Study

Review John 17:1-26. Note 17:24-26 in particular to answer these questions. This seems to continue the subjects of His prayers from v. 20.

17. What did Jesus pray for them specifically here? Why did He pray this?

18. How did Jesus describe His relationship with the Father in these verses?

19. Compare what Jesus said about love in John 17:23, 26 with these verses. Write down your insights:

a. 1 John 3:16-18

b. 1 John 4:7-10

c. 1 John 4:16

Diamonds in the Word: Use a concordance or Bible software to find all references to love in John’s gospel. Write down your thoughts.

21. Responding to God: Write a prayer for that person, asking God to use you to show her/him the love of Jesus. Write out your prayer below, or draw a picture of yourself as God’s vehicle of love.

Day Five Study

Review John 17:1-26.

We have looked at Jesus’ prayer of intercession this week. Some have called it His high-priestly prayer. Others have said it’s more of a prayer of consecration for Himself as God’s sacrifice and for His followers for God’s purposes. Others have suggested that it should be called the Lord’s Prayer because this one actually was a prayer of intercession.

Diamonds in the Word: Compare this prayer with the prayer of Matt. 6:9-13. Which would you title “The Lord’s Prayer” and why? Feel free to read in your resources on John 17.

The prayer of John 17 is an example of Jesus praying as our intercessor. He continues that ministry to us today from heaven as our great High Priest.

22. What do you learn about Jesus’ present-day intercession for us from these verses?

a. Heb. 7:24-25

b. Heb. 2:18

23. Read Lk. 22:31-34, another example of Jesus interceding for His own. Write down your thoughts.

24. How does Jesus’ prayer in John 17 relate to the kingdom prayers in the back of your workbook?

25. Sharing question: What comfort does it give you to know that Jesus lives to make intercession for you? Why?

Janie shares her story of recognizing that Jesus intercedes on behalf of His children according to the will of God.

Janie’s Story

I think the blood running down her face threw me off spiritually. Everything up to then had been going great at our family reunion in the country. Kids were all getting along, and they were at the age when you can let them go a bit—my daughter was about eleven years old.

They had all been horseback riding together—all the cousins. They had been getting along great, as were the adults! But then one of the kids came running into the kitchen where it was my turn to fix dinner, and said to me, “Barbara’s head hurts.” I thought he meant that she had a headache.

I said, “I bet she’s too hot, so tell her to come into the kitchen and cool off.” But he just looked at me and said, “She can’t.” Then one of the older kids ran in and gave the whole picture, “Barbara has been kicked in the head by a horse!” I ran outside and all I remember was blood everywhere.

We immediately put her in the Suburban (others followed in a caravan). I could see her skull. She couldn’t open her left eye very well because the forehead skin was broken and so the eyebrow sagged over her eye.

But the big question was—was her brain injured? Arriving at the hospital, Barb became hysterical when they showed her the shot she was about to get for pain. I was crying but really rather mentally thought I was doing okay. All the doctors took one look at me and put me in the hall.

I was all alone and sank down to my knees against the wall. What should I pray? Is this God’s will that my daughter be injured? What if she was mentally challenged for the rest of her life? I tried to pray, but somehow, couldn’t get the words out. All I had were questions.

Is it okay to pray for a healthy daughter? I had prayed for her as a baby. With so many of my prayers, I had put my family on the sacrificial altar to God many times, praying that He knew what was best for them and He knew what the future held; most importantly, He loved them even more than I did.

Was God punishing me? Did I do something wrong? I would ask for forgiveness if I knew what it was. I remembered that the Bible says that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know how to pray. I remembered that Jesus Christ was my Intercessor. I asked them to go before the Father for me because I didn’t know what to say. How could I, a forgiven sinner, think during times this?

Finally, a strange peace came over me, and I knew that no matter what happened, God loved my daughter and me, and He would be there for us no matter the outcome on this earth.

I knew that one day she would be totally healed in heaven, and that for now I had to rely on Him. Somehow, I wasn’t afraid anymore. I thanked God for that peace, got up, and went into the waiting room with my family.

I was so thankful they were there; I was so thankful that the hospital was a good one; I was so thankful for the years I had had with my daughter.

Later, the doctor came in and told me that she was fine, and that she probably had a concussion but that was all. She had had many, many stitches and would probably need to see a plastic surgeon later since the scar would leave a big horseshoe imprint on her forehead.

I needed to watch her and get back to him if anything changed. God was so good to heal her, but even if He hadn’t, I was ready to do His will and love my daughter no matter what through His power and love for me.

I also knew that no matter what, even when I don’t know what or how to pray, I have an Intercessor for me before my Father in heaven.

Источник: //bible.org/seriespage/10-our-intercessor