The Need for Intercession

People praying

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone” (1 Timothy 2:1 NIV)

When we pray, we should not just pray for ourselves. It is our duty to intercede for others just as Christ; the great Advocate intercedes for us.

There are many things people need: the basic requirements for survival like food, health, clothing and shelter; to feel safe and secure; to be loved, accepted and valued; and to realize their full potential. We should pray that all people achieve these.

Above all we should pray that all people understand that attaining their human needs is only temporal. It can never bring true satisfaction. We should pray that people attain salvation so that they can have true knowledge, wisdom and strength that comes from God; that they can have internal peace and joy no matter their circumstances, and the strength to persevere all trials through faith and hope in the Lord. Everybody needs to realize the love and goodness of the Lord.

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How different the world would look, how different the state of our nation would be, if there were more sanctified priestly souls! These are souls who have the power to bless, for they intercede with sanctified hearts. They never begin their daily time of intercessory prayer without having first brought to the cross all that is unholy in their lives, so that their old self can be crucified there with Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb. ~Basilea Schlink

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