Prayin' For You

Introduction- Prayin’ For You

Prayin’ For You by Lecrae, second single, 13th track on , his sophomore album “After The Music Stops” in 2006

Father, I'm prayin' for a friend he and I are pretty close

and out of all my friends for this one I'm concerned the most

He say he readin' daily but he ain't really learnin'

He been in church but say that he ain't moved by any sermon

His face weak, he ain't prayed in a week

he wake up and just weep with his face in the sink Lord

you gotta help my man, I'm prayin' for him daily

he ain't sinned but it just seem as if he goin' crazy

He say he feelin' trapped, can't even head up

the mall coz every lady's half-dressed temptin' him to lust and fall

He keep the TV off, videos just make him feel

that he ain't really nothin' without money, girls and shiny wheels

The other day he told me that he felt less a man

coz he ain't have a five-year plan or a piece of

land and man it's crazy coz his family think so much of him

plus he got a godly wife who always showin'

love for him but he's strugglin', even though he talk to me

I tell him what to do but he don't listen when he oughta' be

I'm scared for him coz there's people that look up to him

he got some younger siblings who been changed by

what he's done for them but is it done for him

Lord don't let it be, if he don't wanna talk to you then

Father hear from me, is it done for him

Lord don't let it be

if he don't wanna talk to you then Father hear from me

Yeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, I'm prayin' for you

Yeah, I'm prayin' for you, yeah, yeah, I'm prayin' for you

The Meaning of Intercession (not be confused with Intermission)

The Greek was translated as “petition” and “intercession.” Our English word “intercession” is derived from the Latin for “to come between,” which means both “obstruct” and “to interpose on behalf of” someone.

What Is Intercessory Prayer? - Example and Meaning

by CANDICE LUCEY of Christianity.com

“Prayer is an essential part of a Christian’s walk with God. This is how we communicate with him, and one way he communicates with us. When the veil was torn, we were given intimate and immediate access to God, but he also assigns us the responsibility of praying for other people.”

Pray for the Saints

Ephesians 6:18–19 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,

Pray for All People

1 Timothy 2:1–4 ESV

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Transition To Body- Paul’s Intercessory Prayer

On behalf of Saints whom he has never seen and has only heard of through the faithful servant Epaphras

Colossians 1:1–2 ESV

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.

Body- Greater Intercessory Prayer is

Praising God for Saving the Saints (Colossians 1:3-8)

Colossians 1:3 ESV

3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

Pray Thanking God the Father

Psalm 103:13 ESV

13 As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Pray Acknowledging our LORD Jesus Christ

Romans 10:9 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Pray Spiritually When Thanking God

Colossians 1:4 ESV

4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,

Faith in Jesus Christ

Love for all God’s people

Colossians 1:5 ESV

5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,

The Faith & love springing from the hope (looking forward to)-

Laid (Stored) up for you in Heaven i.e. you can count on it when you need it

Matthew 6:19–21 ESV

19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Message of Grace & The Messengers Of Grace

Colossians 1:6–8 ESV

6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.

Petitioning God to Sanctify the Saints (Colossians 3:9-14)

Colossians 1:9–10 ESV

9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Praying Regularly for Saints

Praying for Saints Spiritual Development

Why?

Pleasing God:

Bearing fruit on very good work

Growing/increasing in the knowledge of God- Hebrews 5:12,14, Luke 6:46

Praying for Empowerment of Saints

Colossians 1:11 ESV

11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;

Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might

Joyfully giving thanks

Romans 15:8–13 ESV

8 For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written, “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles, and sing to your name.” 10 And again it is said, “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.” 11 And again, “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.” 12 And again Isaiah says, “The root of Jesse will come, even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.” 13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Transition To Close

Giving Thanks to the Father, Who Has Qualified You!

Colossians 1:12–14 ESV

12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 4:2–6 ESV

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

O’Jays 1976 “Message In Our Music”

1."Message in Our Music

"A Prayer"

"Paradise"

"Make a Joyful Noise"

"Darlin' Darlin' Baby (Sweet, Tender, Love)"

"I Swear, I Love No One But You"

A Prayer by The O’Jays

[Verse 1]

Heavenly father

Creator of all things

I humble myself

As I bow to your throne

I pray for love, joy, peace and happiness

To be present in my home, well I do

And that your holy spirit

Build in my heart and in my mind

Please give me strength

'Cause I get a little weak sometimes

I need help from you just to see me through

[Chorus I]

Well, heavenly father

There is no one

To you, I give the glory

And on my knees, I fall

I ask for wisdom and understanding

To you my prayers I bring

To you my soul I send

CloseColossians 1:15-20 Hymn of Christ

Most developed reflection on Christ’s divinity in the New Testament.

May have been used in the early church as a liturgical text in Church Worship

Colossians 1:15–22 ESV

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,

Jesus Christ is:

Colossians 1:15- Very image of the invisible God

Colossians 1:16- Creator

Colossians 1:17- Pre-exist at sustainer of all

Colossians 1:18- Head of the church

Colossians 1:18- First to be resurrected

Colossians 1:19- Fullness of God in bodily form

Colossians 1:20-22- Reconciler of everything through his blood, shed on the cross