Pray, Just Pray!
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
One of the greatest spiritual disciplines we practice is prayer. Paul’s encouragement to pray in the Spirit is critical. The only other option is to pray in the flesh, which is often filled with our self-absorbed world and its desires. When you pray in the Spirit, you are aligning yourself to pray the very same prayers Jesus prays. We know that Jesus prayed at all times and in all places. In like manner, we must seek His face in order to pray how He would pray. If in question, just ask Him.
We should focus our prayers on the Lord’s people. Pray for those who are following Christ with great dedication. God will show you who should be on your prayer list. Maybe it is a friend, or the Bible study teacher in a small group you are attending. God will show you what to pray and how to pray, just pursue it. Your intimacy with Him will pay the dividend of discernment. You will experience this as a blessing, believe me!
Additionally, don’t forget to pray for your pastor. Anyone who proclaims the Word of God definitely needs to be covered by the prayers of God’s people. Isn’t it interesting to read in this short passage that Paul asks others to pray for his fearlessness? Twice, he requested it. In two back-to-back sentences, he described it.
Pastors certainly need to be fearless. Today, our culture attacks those who disagree with its worldly agenda. This is no small matter. The church must have bold men in the pulpits to proclaim without compromise the greatest story ever told! If your pastor is not bold today, he likely needs your prayer support. Remember, when he was first called, he was risking it all. He needs your prayer support to do it again before it is too late! Pray, just pray!
One of the greatest spiritual disciplines we practice is prayer. Paul’s encouragement to pray in the Spirit is critical. The only other option is to pray in the flesh, which is often filled with our self-absorbed world and its desires. When you pray in the Spirit, you are aligning yourself to pray the very same prayers Jesus prays. We know that Jesus prayed at all times and in all places. In like manner, we must seek His face in order to pray how He would pray. If in question, just ask Him.
We should focus our prayers on the Lord’s people. Pray for those who are following Christ with great dedication. God will show you who should be on your prayer list. Maybe it is a friend, or the Bible study teacher in a small group you are attending. God will show you what to pray and how to pray, just pursue it. Your intimacy with Him will pay the dividend of discernment. You will experience this as a blessing, believe me!
Additionally, don’t forget to pray for your pastor. Anyone who proclaims the Word of God definitely needs to be covered by the prayers of God’s people. Isn’t it interesting to read in this short passage that Paul asks others to pray for his fearlessness? Twice, he requested it. In two back-to-back sentences, he described it.
Pastors certainly need to be fearless. Today, our culture attacks those who disagree with its worldly agenda. This is no small matter. The church must have bold men in the pulpits to proclaim without compromise the greatest story ever told! If your pastor is not bold today, he likely needs your prayer support. Remember, when he was first called, he was risking it all. He needs your prayer support to do it again before it is too late! Pray, just pray!
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Building Men Over MembershipsActions and WordsPraying in God’s WillA Call to God’s ChurchFalse ProphetsJesus Intercedes for YouAre You Encouraging Others?Strengthening BelieversSalvation Is SimpleCounterfeit TeachingBe Ready for the End Jesus Understands Your PainLooking ForwardCommitting Others To ChristSharing Your StoryTaking the Time To BlessPraying for UnbelieversA Word of BlessingJesus Cares about YouThe PavementAre You Confessed Up To Date?Fighting Self-Sufficiency With PrayerBe Responsible for Your ChildrenJesus Is Standing with You The Promise of the Holy SpiritBe Aligned in PrayerI Am InnocentAligned PrayersPraying with PowerDealing with ProblemsHandling Stress
February
Come and SeeA Childlike FaithDon’t Miss OutWhy Support Israel?Praying For IsraelHow To Honor GodResisting EvilThe Lord Encourages UsJesus Is the AuthorityGod ProvidesLiving Out The Great CommissionMaking SureA Heart of RepentanceSharing Your FaithSubmitting to God’s WillSecure in Your IdentityHow Are You Filled?God Is All-SufficientJesus Is The Only WayPray, Just PrayNo Sin Is Too BigThe Purpose in PainFeed Your FaithStay in Love with JesusIt’s Only JesusRemember Who God IsGifts from the Holy SpiritThis World Is Not Your HomeBe Different
March
Admitting You Are WrongMoney Can’t Buy HappinessMy ConfidenceChanged by Christ Faith and UnderstandingDo Angels Exist?Falling at Jesus’ FeetBorn AgainThe Fullness of JesusExperiencing Christ’s FullnessThe Lord’s ProtectionPraying FriendsA Hand of BlessingBe StillYour Heavenly FatherBlessing Your ChildrenGod Is Our ProviderTime To StopSimply Follow ChristFathers Loving MothersEvery Knee Will BowWhen God Repeats HimselfThe Seven ChurchesTaking Up Your CrossMake Peace With GodGod Gives Free WillGod’s Healing PowerGo All in for ChristAbiding and RestingBelieving God’s WordWhat Hangs In The Balance Of Evangelism?
5 Comments
I pray for our three pastors twice a day. Thanks again for a great devotion.
May the Lord protect all Pastors from any human or spiritual attacks. And may they be filled with the Holy Spirit for the words that our Father wants them to say to the people ðŸ™
Every Day, I learn More of What GOD wants for Us. His Love and Mercy is Unmatched. He guides ME even in My Prayer. Thank YOU FATHER, PRAISE The Lord !
Thank you so much Dr. Dodd! PTL, thankfully, my pastor preaches with such boldness and passion! He is in my prayers and I think of him on a regular bases.
Thank you Dr. Dodd. I love your Sunday preaching on TV. My pastor also speaks the truth according to the Bible.