RHAPSODY OF REALITIES DAILY DEVOTIONAL
PRAYING FOR OTHERS .
Wednesday, October 25th .
PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME
PRAYING FOR OTHERS .
Wednesday, October 25th .
PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
An aspect of our priestly ministry as Christians is praying for others: interceding on their behalf against the forces of darkness. This is so important for us to do, especially for those amongst us who may still be weak, ignorant, and unable to stand for themselves.
It’s important to bear in mind, however, that when we intercede, God isn’t the one holding back from us. He’s not the one causing the problem; therefore, we shouldn’t pray as though He’s the one we’re trying to persuade.
For example, if you’re interceding for someone who’s sick, it’s not God that made him sick. So, it would be wrong to be pleading and begging God to heal him. Instead, you’re to stand in the authority of Jesus Christ against the sickness. You’re to remain persistent in prayer, mounting pressure on the adversary on behalf of that one who’s sick, to help him obtain his healing.
You may have been interceding for a while for someone to receive salvation, and it may seem there’s no positive outcome. The reason might be that you were praying as though God is the one holding the person back from receiving salvation; you’ve been prevailing on God to “save” him. No! The grace of God that brings salvation has been made available to all men (Titus 2:11). In Christ, salvation has already been wrought for every man; it’s part of what Jesus came to accomplish.
Therefore, in interceding for the lost, you address the culprit: Satan! He’s the god of this world; the one who has blinded the minds of men so they wouldn’t believe the Gospel. He’s the reason some people will do just anything to resist the message of the Gospel. But blessed be God! As Christians, we have the authority to break Satan’s hold off people’s minds, so the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ would shine unto them for salvation.
If there’s someone you’ve been praying for to receive salvation, that’s what you need to do! Write down that person’s name, and declare, “In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I break the power of the devil off Mr John, and I claim his deliverance and salvation.” You’ll be amazed that as simple as that prayer is, you’ll get the desired result.
PRAYER
I thank you Father for giving me authority to break Satan’s hold and influence over men’s lives that they may receive salvation. I declare that the Gospel message is growing and prevailing around the world, bringing about a mighty harvest of souls into the Kingdom, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY:|| 1 Timothy 2:1-4 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and [for] all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this [is] good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. ||
|| Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. ||
DAILY SCRIPTURE READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: 2 Timothy 1:1-18,
Jeremiah 17-18
Jeremiah 17-18
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: John 7:32-44,
2 Kings 13-14
2 Kings 13-14
Paul's teachings in context:
ReplyDelete[God] also hath made us able ministers of the New Testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth Life. But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance, which glory was to be done away; how shall not the Ministration of the Spirit be rather Glorious? For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the Ministration of Righteousness exceed in Glory. For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the Glory That excelleth. For if that which is done away was glorious, much more That Which remaineth is Glorious. Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech, and not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end that which is abolished; but THEIR MINDS WERE BLINDED. FOR UNTIL THIS DAY REMAINETH THE SAME VEIL UNTAKEN AWAY IN THE READING OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; WHICH VEIL IS DONE AWAY IN JESUS. BUT EVEN UNTO THIS DAY, WHEN MOSES IS READ, THE VEIL IS UPON THEIR HEART. NEVERTHELESS, WHEN IT SHALL TURN TO THE LORD, THE VEIL SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY. Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the Glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from Glory to Glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Therefore, seeing we have This Ministry, as we have received Mercy, we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the Word of God deceitfully, but, by manifestation of the Truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the Sight of God. But if our Gospel be hid, It is hid to them that are lost, in whom THE GOD OF THIS WORLD HATH BLINDED THE MINDS OF THEM WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the Light of the Glorious Gospel of Jesus, Who is the Image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor 3:6-18 ,2 Cor 4:1-4)
- In the context of this teachings, minds are blinded by the Law, which therefore is the "god of that world". Satan is absolutely not mentioned here.