I always tell disciples to read the Word and record what God said to them. Then, respond with what they would say back to God. Here's an example from my journal. It's part of a conversation I had with the Lord today:
12:27 P
"Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic..."
God: Late night TV is filled with charletons and thieves that rob people of their money and capitalize on their desire for the miraculous. If a person does not receive miraculous healing or financial help from on high they are told it is their fault -- their lack of faith. But it was the faith of friends, not the faith of the paralytic that brought My response. My grace is not boxed up by people's lack of faith.
Yes, I respond to your faith. And, yes, I answer prayers that are offered up in faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Me." But praying for others, applying your faith on behalf of others, is the very definition of intercessory prayer. I love to hear intercessory prayer.
Example: Why should you even apply your faith and pray for the salvation of others? After all, they're not even believers and haven't even expressed faith for salvation toward Me. But it is your faith that appropriates My grace and power on their behalf -- that moves My Spirit to woo them to the Son. It is your faith that puts starts My divine wheels of salvation rolling on behalf of the unbeliever. Yes, they must come to a place of trusting Christ for salvation, but even that is not a mature faith that I require...it is childlike. Your faith can greatly affect the lives of others.
Darril: Lord, please remind me, even push me, to pray for others. Remind me to appropriate my faith -- as imperfect as it is -- on behalf of my fellow disciples; the flock you have given me; unbelievers that I know; the city and school district I live in. Thank You for recording this story in Your Word for me. It helps me understand how powerful my prayers for others can be. One of the things that I appreciate about You, Lord, is that You show how simple it is to live for You. Does it take effort, faithfulness, and perseverance? Of course, but it's not complicated.
Be glorified somehow in my life today. I just pray that at the end of the day You will have found something pleasing about my life...even if it's just my faith to pray for others. Amen.
"Seeing their faith, Jesus told the paralytic..."
God: Late night TV is filled with charletons and thieves that rob people of their money and capitalize on their desire for the miraculous. If a person does not receive miraculous healing or financial help from on high they are told it is their fault -- their lack of faith. But it was the faith of friends, not the faith of the paralytic that brought My response. My grace is not boxed up by people's lack of faith.
Yes, I respond to your faith. And, yes, I answer prayers that are offered up in faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Me." But praying for others, applying your faith on behalf of others, is the very definition of intercessory prayer. I love to hear intercessory prayer.
Example: Why should you even apply your faith and pray for the salvation of others? After all, they're not even believers and haven't even expressed faith for salvation toward Me. But it is your faith that appropriates My grace and power on their behalf -- that moves My Spirit to woo them to the Son. It is your faith that puts starts My divine wheels of salvation rolling on behalf of the unbeliever. Yes, they must come to a place of trusting Christ for salvation, but even that is not a mature faith that I require...it is childlike. Your faith can greatly affect the lives of others.
Darril: Lord, please remind me, even push me, to pray for others. Remind me to appropriate my faith -- as imperfect as it is -- on behalf of my fellow disciples; the flock you have given me; unbelievers that I know; the city and school district I live in. Thank You for recording this story in Your Word for me. It helps me understand how powerful my prayers for others can be. One of the things that I appreciate about You, Lord, is that You show how simple it is to live for You. Does it take effort, faithfulness, and perseverance? Of course, but it's not complicated.
Be glorified somehow in my life today. I just pray that at the end of the day You will have found something pleasing about my life...even if it's just my faith to pray for others. Amen.
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