The Ministry of Intercession Part 16

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

SIXTEENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Power of the Holy Spirit in our Sabbath Schools

="Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children."=--ISA. xlix. 25.

Every part of the work of G.o.d's Church is His work. He must do it.

Prayer is the confession that He will, the surrender of ourselves into His hands to let Him, work in us and through us. Pray for the hundreds of thousands of Sunday-school teachers, that those who know G.o.d may be filled with His Spirit. Pray for your own Sunday school. Pray for the salvation of the children.

HOW TO PRAY.--Boldly

="We have a great High Priest, Jesus the Son of G.o.d. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace."=--HEB. iv. 14, 16.

These hints to help us in our work of intercession--what are they doing for us? Making us conscious of our feebleness in prayer? Thank G.o.d for this. It is the very first lesson we need on the way to pray the effectual prayer that availeth much. Let us persevere, taking each subject boldly to the throne of grace. As we pray we shall learn to pray, and to believe, and to expect with increasing boldness. Hold fast your a.s.surance: it is at G.o.d's command you come as an intercessor.

Christ will give you grace to pray aright.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

SEVENTEENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For Kings and Rulers

="I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgiving, be made for all men; for kings, and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all G.o.dliness and gravity."=--1 TIM. ii. 1, 2.

What a faith in the power of prayer! A few feeble and despised Christians are to influence the mighty Roman emperors, and help in securing peace and quietness. Let us believe that prayer is a power that is taken up by G.o.d in His rule of the world. Let us pray for our country and its rulers; for all the rulers of the world; for rulers in cities or districts in which we are interested. When G.o.d's people unite in this, they may count upon their prayer effecting in the unseen world more than they know. Let faith hold this fast.

HOW TO PRAY.--The Prayer before G.o.d as Incense

="And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should add it unto the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before G.o.d out of the angel's hand.

And the angel taketh the censer; and he filled it with the fire upon the altar, and cast it upon the earth: and there followed thunder, and voices, and lightning, and an earthquake."=--REV. viii. 3-5.

The same censer brings the prayer of the saints before G.o.d and casts fire upon the earth. The prayers that go up to heaven have their share in the history of this earth. Be sure that thy prayers enter G.o.d's presence.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

EIGHTEENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For Peace

="I exhort therefore, first of all, that supplication be made for kings and all that are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all G.o.dliness and gravity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of G.o.d our Saviour."=--1 TIM. ii. 1-3.

="He maketh wars to cease to the end of the earth."=--PS. xlvi. 9.

What a terrible sight!--the military armaments in which the nations find their pride. What a terrible thought!--the evil pa.s.sions that may at any moment bring on war. And what a prospect the suffering and desolation that must come. G.o.d can, in answer to the prayer of His people, give peace. Let us pray for it, and for the rule of righteousness on which alone it can be stablished.