The Ministry of Intercession Part 17

HOW TO PRAY.--With the Understanding

="What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding."=--1 COR. xiv. 15.

We need to pray with the spirit, as the vehicle of the intercession of G.o.d's Spirit, if we are to take hold of G.o.d in faith and power. We need to pray with the understanding, if we are really to enter deeply into the needs we bring before Him. Take time to apprehend intelligently, in each subject, the nature, the extent, the urgency of the request, the ground and way and certainty of G.o.d's promise as revealed in His Word.

Let the mind affect the heart. Pray with the understanding and with the spirit.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

NINETEENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Holy Spirit on Christendom

="Having a form of G.o.dliness, but denying the power thereof."=--2 TIM. iii. 5.

="Thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead."=--REV. iii.

1.

There are five hundred millions of nominal Christians. The state of the majority is unspeakably awful. Formality, worldliness, unG.o.dliness, rejection of Christ's service, ignorance, and indifference--to what an extent does all this prevail. We pray for the heathen--oh! do let us pray for those bearing Christ's name, many in worse than heathen darkness.

Does not one feel as if one ought to begin to give up his life, and to cry day and night to G.o.d for souls! In answer to prayer G.o.d gives the power of the Holy Ghost.

HOW TO PRAY.--In deep Stillness of Soul

="My soul is silent unto G.o.d: from Him cometh my salvation."=--PS.

lxii. 1.

Prayer has its power in G.o.d alone. The nearer a man comes to G.o.d Himself, the deeper he enters into G.o.d's will; the more he takes hold of G.o.d, the more power in prayer.

G.o.d must reveal Himself. If it please Him to make Himself known, He can make the heart conscious of His presence. Our posture must be that of holy reverence, of quiet waiting and adoration.

As your month of intercession pa.s.ses on, and you feel the greatness of your work, be still before G.o.d. Thus you will get power to pray.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

TWENTIETH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For G.o.d's Spirit on the Heathen

="Behold, these shall come from far; and these from the land of Sinim."=--ISA. xlix. 12.

="Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall haste to stretch out her hands to G.o.d."=--PS. lxviii. 31.

="I the Lord will hasten it in His time."=--ISA. lx. 22.

Pray for the heathen, who are yet without the word. Think of China, with her three hundred millions--a million a month dying without Christ.

Think of Dark Africa, with its two hundred millions. Think of thirty millions a year going down into the thick darkness. If Christ gave His life for them, will you not do so? You can give yourself up to intercede for them. Just begin, if you have never yet begun, with this simple monthly school of intercession. The ten minutes you give will make you feel this is not enough. G.o.d's Spirit will draw you on. Persevere, however feeble you are. Ask G.o.d to give you some country or tribe to pray for. Can anything be n.o.bler than to do as Christ did? Give your life for the heathen.

HOW TO PRAY.--With Confident Expectation of an Answer

="Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and will shew thee great things and difficult, which thou knowest not."=--JER. x.x.xiii. 3.

="Thus saith the Lord G.o.d: I will yet be inquired of, that I do it."=--EZEK. x.x.xvi. 37.

Both texts refer to promises definitely made, but their fulfilment would depend upon prayer: G.o.d would be inquired of to do it.

Pray for G.o.d's fulfilment of His promises to His Son and His Church, and expect the answer. Plead for the heathen: plead G.o.d's Promises.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS