How to Pray for Friends, Relatives and Loved Ones

HOW TO GET YOUR PRAYERS ANSWERED

HOW TO PRAY FOR FRIENDS, RELATIVES AND LOVED ONES

Luke 11:5-10

Bobby Earls, First Baptist Church, Icard, NC

Wednesday, May 24, 2000

INTRODUCTION: All of us from time to time are asked to pray for others, whether it be a member of our family who is lost and needs the Lord Jesus as Saviour or whether it be a friend or loved one who is ill.

The matter of intercessory prayer is very important to most Christians.

Intercession is the highest level of prayer.Intercessory prayer is the secret weapon of the church. It is God's inter-continental ballistic missile.

The devil has absolutely no defense against it. Many people will not come to church and hear God's Word but we can drop a prayer missile right on their door step.

Intercessory prayer is a powerful weapon that can be fired from any place at any time and is always right on target.

While all of us may not have the ministry of intercession, we're all called to be intercessors from time to time.

I. Intercessory Prayer is Daring Prayer - Verse 5

In those days they didn't have motels or convenience stores therefore i't was the custom to help any friend who came to you with a need.

A. Intercessory prayer is daring in its size - verse 5 "lend me three loaves."

1. One loaf of bread required a days wage. This request is for three loaves, therefore it is daring in its size.

B. Intercessory prayer is daring in its steadfastness - verse 8 "Because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needs."

In spite of the lateness of the hour and the inconvenience which was caused,the man continued to knock until he received what he wanted.

1. Ask-Seek-Knock - verse 9

Jesus taught that we were to ask and keep on asking, to seek and keep on seeking, to knock and keep on knocking.

C. Intercessory prayer is daring in its sacrifice

1. The man who asked for three loaves was willing to be out at midnight in order to get them.

2. Moses was willing to sacrifice himself if God would save his people. -Exodus 32.3.

Paul was willing to be condemned forever if God would only save his people the Jews. - Romans 9:1-3, Romans 10:1.

II. Intercessory Prayer is Definite Praying

A. He asked specifically for three loaves - verse 5

In like manner, we should ask for specific things and pray for specific people when we intercede.

B. What does the bread represent - verse 11-13

It represents Holy Spirit’s power in our lives and in the lives of our loved ones.

He's talking about getting spiritual power in our lives so that we may have bread to set before those who come to us.

III. Intercessory Prayer is Desperate Praying - Verse 6 For a friend of mine in his journey has come to me."

A. Intercession is desperate praying because of our inescapable responsibility - v.6 "A friend of mine has come to me."

All of us have people in our lives for whom we are personally responsible.

1. Our spouse

2. Our children

3. Our business associates

4. Our neighbors

B. Intercessory prayer is desperate praying because of our inadequate resources - verse 6 "I have nothing to set before him."

1. Many times our personal resources are inadequate to meet the needs in the lives of those for whom we pray.

2. While our resources are inadequate God is a friend who always has the bread that we need to share with others.

C. Intercessory prayer is desperate praying because of our inevitable reward, verse 8