The Word of God encourages us to "pray without ceasing" (1Thess 5:17}. Inspiration says, "This is the kind of prayer Christ meant when he said, "Pray without ceasing." We are not to make ejaculatory prayer a substitute for public or family worship or for secret devotion; but it is a blessed resource, at our command under circumstances when other forms of prayer may be impossible. {SW, March 8, 1904 par. 5} This SSL will discuss the following: I. Intercessory Prayer, A. Praying to Conflict, B. Praying for Specific People, C. Praying for Other Believers, II. God hears our Prayers, III. How to Pray.

Memory Verse:

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. {James 5;16}

Prayer Thought:

In the intercessory prayer of Jesus with His Father, He claimed that He had fulfilled the conditions which made it obligatory upon the Father to fulfill His part of the contract made in heaven, with regard to fallen man. . . . He declares Himself glorified in those who believe on Him. The church, in His name, is to carry to glorious perfection the work which He has commenced; and when that church shall be finally ransomed in the Paradise of God, He will look upon the travail of His soul and be satisfied. Through all eternity the ransomed host will be His chief glory. {SD 296.2}

I. Intercessory Prayer

When a trial of faith comes upon those that profess to be the children of God, they do not perseveringly present their petitions before the throne of mercy, depending upon the Holy Spirit, waiting and watching, and continuing to present their requests, searching the Scriptures at the same time to know what is the mind of God. Place your feet in the path of God's commandments, and be assured that your prayers will be answered. There is a great lack of earnestness, a great lack of vital interest in prayer. Yet we are exhorted to be "instant in prayer," "to pray without ceasing." We are to keep a spirit of intercession, and present all our wants to God. We are to tell him about the smallest things of life,--our cares, our business, our desires and needs. You can never weary the Lord by your importuning. It is by beholding Jesus that you become changed into the divine similitude. We may behold him by continuing in prayer, until we are not aware that we are praying; for our souls turn to the Sun of Righteousness as a flower turns to the light. {ST, May 28, 1896 par. 3}

A. Praying in Conflict

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)

1. Spiritual Life is Strengthened Through Prayer

Let us pray that our spiritual perceptions be quickened so that we shall more readily understand God's dealings in answer to our prayers; that through conflict the spiritual life is strengthened; that we throw not away our confidence when afflictions arise, but that like Paul we rejoice for having been accounted worthy to suffer in patience. {2TG 27.2}

2. Heaven's Ordained Means of Success

Prayer is heaven's ordained means of success in the conflict with sin and the development of Christian character. The divine influences that come in answer to the prayer of faith will accomplish in the soul of the suppliant all for which he pleads. For the pardon of sin, for the Holy Spirit, for a Christlike temper, for wisdom and strength to do His work, for any gift He has promised, we may ask; and the promise is, "Ye shall receive." {AA 564.1}

3. Strength to Overcome and Break the Power of the Enemy

We must have on the whole armor of God, and be ready at any moment for a conflict with the powers of darkness. When temptations and trials rush in upon us, let us go to God, and agonize with Him in prayer. He will not turn us away empty, but will give us grace and strength to overcome, and to break the power of the enemy. Oh, that all could see these things in their true light, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus! Then would Israel move forward, strong in God, and in the power of His might. {CET 103.3}

— We live in a conflict with cosmic extent. A conflict between good and evil, between Christ and Satan. Every person is serving in one side, and most people are dithering.

— There’s no “compulsory military service” in Christ’s side. He doesn’t force anyone to follow Him. He doesn’t intervene if we don’t allow Him.

— Intercessory prayer is the way we “let” God intervene in the lives of those we pray for.

— God honors our choice to pray for them and works even more powerfully in their behalf.

B. Praying for Specific People

“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.’” (Luke 22:31-32)

1. Specific Nature of Public Prayer

The prayers offered by ministers previous to their discourses are frequently long and inappropriate. They embrace a whole round of subjects that have no reference to the necessities of the occasion or the wants of the people. Such prayers are suitable for the closet, but should not be offered in public. The hearers become weary and long for the minister to close. Brethren, carry the people with you in your prayers. Go to your Saviour in faith, tell Him what you need on that occasion. Let the soul go out after God with intense longing for the blessing needed at that time.--{5T 201}

2. SPECIFIC ANGELS ARE APPOINTED TO ANSWER PRAYERS

Heavenly beings are appointed to answer the prayers of those who are working unselfishly for the interests of the cause of God. The very highest angels in the heavenly courts are appointed to work out the prayers which ascend to God for the advancement of the cause of God. Each angel has his particular post of duty, which he is not permitted to leave for any other place. If he should leave, the powers of darkness would gain an advantage. . . . {Pr 254.2}

3. Prayers for the Advancement of the Work

There must be a spiritual awakening. They must have a personal interest, a burden of soul, to watch and pray for the success of the work. Let every one who gives of his means also send up his prayers daily that it may bring souls to the foot of the cross. In every church there should be stated seasons for united prayer for the advancement of this work. Let all be united, having a specific object for their faith and entreaties. Brethren, move high heaven with your prayers for God to work with the efforts of His servants. {1NL 30.2}

— Jesus didn’t rely on His own strength to overcome the hosts of evil. He always depended on the strength of the Omnipotent through prayer.

— He left an example of praying for specific people, as He did for Peter. Jesus knew that Peter wasn’t aware he needed help on that night. Therefore, Jesus interceded on his behalf.

— God encourages us to bring specific people to His throne and leave them on His hands. We must persist until we see the result.

C. Praying for Other Believers

“[I] do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers:” (Ephesians 1:16)

1. God's servants are to make use of every resource for enlarging His kingdom.

The apostle Paul declares that it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come into the knowledge of the truth," that "supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men." 1 Timothy 2:3, 4, 1. And James says, "Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." James 5:20. Every believer is pledged to unite with his brethren in giving the invitation, "Come; for all things are now ready." Luke 14:17. Each is to encourage the others in doing whole-hearted work. Earnest invitations will be given by a living church. Thirsty souls will be led to the water of life. {7T 14, 15; PH005 6.2}

2. The time has come for a thorough reformation to take place.

When this reformation begins, the spirit of prayer will actuate every believer and will banish from the church the spirit of discord and strife. Those who have not been living in Christian fellowship will draw close to one another. One member working in right lines will lead other members to unite with him in making intercession for the revelation of the Holy Spirit. There will be no confusion, because all will be in harmony with the mind of the Spirit. The barriers separating believer from believer will be broken down, and God's servants will speak the same things. The Lord will co-operate with His servants. All will pray understandingly the prayer that Christ taught His servants: "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:10 {8T 251.1}

— Paul used to pray for other believers. What did he ask for? See Ephesians 1:17-23.

— Paul also used to thank for the spiritual growth of his brothers and sisters, as in his prayer in Philippians 1:3-11. He prayed for them to continue their progress in the faith.

— We should pray for our brothers and sisters as Paul did, so they may be strengthened and encouraged in their Christian journey.

II. God Hears our Prayers

Then he said to me, ‘Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words.’” (Daniel 10:12)

A. Heaven's Portals is Open

This earth was the field of battle; here the Son of God had to contend with the wily foe in our behalf. Behold him on Jordan's bank just before he entered the desert of temptation. He offered up a prayer such as heaven never heard before, and the heavens opened and the Spirit of God, like a dove of burnished gold, encircled the Son of God, and there was heard a voice, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Do you comprehend all that this scene signifies? It tells you that heaven is opened before you, and that your petitions will find access to the Father. After the transgression of Adam, God no longer communicated directly with man; earth was separated, as it were, from the continent of heaven; but Jesus was made our substitute, our surety, that he might bring us back to the Father, and his human arm encircles the race, while his infinite arm reaches to the highest heavens, and thus he unites finite man to the infinite God, and connects earth with heaven. The voice that came from heaven to our Surety, tells us that heaven's portals are open and God hears our prayers, and that the light that enshrouded the Son of God will be over us if we follow in his way. {RH, June 10, 1890 par. 4}

B. Every Petition Enters Into the Heart of God

We are not to believe because we feel or see that God hears us. We are to trust to the promise of God. We are to go about our business believing that God will do just what he has said he would do, and that the blessings we have prayed for will come to us when we most need them. Every petition enters into the heart of God when we come believing. We have not faith enough. We should look upon our heavenly Father as more willing to help us than an earthly parent is to help his child. Why not trust him? "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" I wish that the beams of light which shine from God's word could find ready entrance into our hearts; for then we should receive comfort. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Christ is inviting us to open the door of our heart, to clear the rubbish away, and let the Saviour in. Shall we not remove the burden that is piled at the door, and make Christ first, last, and best in everything? {ST, May 7, 1896 par. 4}

1. Daniel was worried about the situation of those who had returned from Babylon to Jerusalem. Daniel was upset and prayed for them for 21 days.

2. God sent a vision to the distraught prophet in the most appropriate moment. He assured Daniel that his prayers had been listened since the first one.

3. God had been working in other aspects of the battle before answering Daniel’s prayer. He listens to every intercessory prayer, although we may have to wait for His answer.

III. How to Pray

“As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23 NLT)

To pray aright, is to ask God in faith for the very things you need. Go to your chamber, or in some retired place, and ask your Father for Jesus' sake to help you. There is power in that prayer that is sent up from a heart convinced of its own weakness, yet earnestly longing for that strength that comes from God. The earnest, fervent prayer will be heard and answered. Go to your God who is strong, and who loves to hear children pray, and, although you may feel very weak, and find yourself at times overcome by the Enemy, because you have neglected the first command of our Saviour, to watch, yet do not give up the struggle. Make stronger efforts yourself than before. Faint not. Cast yourself at the feet of Jesus, who has been tempted, and knows how to help such as are tempted. Confess your faults, your weakness, and that you must have help to overcome, or you perish. And as you ask, you must believe that God hears you. Plead your case before God, through Jesus, until your soul can with confidence rely upon him for strength, and you feel that you are not left to do the work of overcoming alone. God will help you. Angels will watch over you. {YI, March 1, 1856 par. 4}

Our intercessory prayers should be fervent, sincere and specific.

Paul prayed for specific people (e.g. his collaborators) and specific churches (e.g. Ephesus or Philippi). He also asked the church to pray for his liberation or for his preaching to be strengthened (Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3).

We should pray for those who we know haven’t meet their Savior yet (John 17:20), for the believers to be strengthened (Ephesians 3:14-16), for God to extend His forgiveness (1 John 5:16), for the protection of those going through hard times (Acts 12:12)…

When we pray for others, we become a channel of God’s blessing to them.

From the Pen of Inspiration:

“What does intercession comprehend? It is the golden chain which binds finite man to the throne of the infinite God. The human agent whom Christ has died to save importunes the throne of God, and his petition is taken up by Jesus who has purchased him with His own blood. Our great High Priest places His righteousness on the side of the sincere suppliant, and the prayer of Christ blends with that of the human petitioner.” E.G.W. (That I May Know Him, March 13)

“Begin to pray for souls; come near to Christ, close to His bleeding side. Let a meek and quiet spirit adorn your lives, and let your earnest, broken, humble petitions ascend to Him for wisdom that you may have success in saving not only your own soul, but the souls of others.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, book 1, cp. 86, p. 513)