WRESTLING IN PRAYER/INTERCESSION FOR OTHERS

Image result for Scripture pictures of wrestling in prayer Scripture records in Colossians 4:12, the praying strategy of Epaphras. Paul said of him,"He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured." 

As usual the curiosity of what the word, wrestling, means in the Greek, so I had to know. Agonizomai, intense energy, endeavor with strenuous zeal to accomplish something.  I do get it! This wrestling in prayer was focused on interceding for others in prayer.  I long ago figured out that I had NO resources of my own flesh and power to fix myself and others or to change circumstances or to cry out for grace and strength to withstand the circumstance. There had to be a Greater Source and that is the LORD GOD, and HIS divine tool/weapon is PRAYER.  Because of the blood of Jesus and the fact that I am HIS child, I can appeal to HIM as El ELYON, the Most High and He as the residing JUDGE for the highest court, the SUPREME COURT OF THE LORD GOD, I am pleading for others and myself. It is work and especially when you do not "see" the data/change/answer that you want to see.  The evil one tries to convince me that the effort is futile and powerlessness.  I must decide if I am contending for the souls of others or am I willing to just accept "no visible change" and move on in my prayers?

I am not alone in my wrestlings for the HOLY SPIRIT intercedes with me here on earth and in the Heavens, the LORD JESUS, who is seated at the right hand of GOD, "ever liveth to intercede" for and with me.  I am reminded that if GOD has put it on my heart, then my trust is that HE will accomplish.  ONLY HE IS ABLE! Stand firm in HIS will and be fully mature and assured.      

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

REHEARSALS

Image
  I wonder how much time do I give to rehearsing God's goodness and how He has intervened in my life to "save" me from myself?  How alike the Israelites I can be, complaining about what goes wrong, how it affects me, and what I lack.  As a Christ follower, I have the Indwelling Holy Spirit to give me remembrance NOT of my complaining and grumbling, but of a recall of God's faithfulness to me.  It is recorded in Psalms 78 and 106 that " They forgot what He had done, the wonder He had shown them", "They did not remember His power--the day He redeemed them from the oppressor...", "They did not remember Your many kindnesses, and they rebelled by the sea, the Red Sea.", "But they soon forgot what He had done and did not wait for His counsel.", and "They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt...". Contrast with me, God's remembrance: Ps. 106:44-46, "But He took note of their distress
Read more

LAST THOUGHT ON LEVITICUS

Image
  For the first time in many years, I have enjoyed reading through Leviticus.  I have skipped it several times and read on.  This go round, I have sought to focus on some thoughts, words, phrases, or practices that God had instituted for the Israelites and their physical and spiritual well-being.  The Ten Commandments and many of the laws have real practical value for society and the Christ follower today.  The Lord God gave them a standard, a commandment, which is applicable for today, "You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees.  I am the Lord (Jehovah) your God (Elohim).  Keep my decrees and laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them.  I am the LORD."  Leviticus 18:4-5   My concluding thought from Leviticus is this admonition or commandment:  " You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own."  Leviticus 20:26.  Even though spoken to Israel, the truth of being holy is directe
Read more

ORDER AND DESIGN

Image
    I do not have OCD, but I do confess that I like order in my home.  Now that I am retired, I am not so much into spotless, but "picked up" and "kinda" clean. (Do not open drawers and closets!) I might go to more trouble when I know I am having company, but otherwise, I remove the clutter that seems to reproduce on its own.   When I began the reading in Genesis in January, I was again taken with the with the orderliness and design of God in creation, and have seen Him use Moses and Aaron to ORDERLY marshal the Israelites to move out of Egypt. How do you move some 600+ males and that is not even wives and children? Animals also?  They have been one year+ out of Egypt, and have been camped at Mt. Sinai where God has given them laws for their spiritual and physical welfare.  God gives Moses the design of the Tabernacle and Moses is able to bring together the workers to complete the Tabernacle.   The clip art at the top is the positioning of the 12 Tribes and the
Read more