February 6

Morning

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. — Eph 6:18 BSB

Think of all the prayers we’ve offered up from the moment we first learned to pray. Our first prayer was for ourselves, asking God for mercy and forgiveness. And He heard us. But even after He forgave us, we continued to pray for ourselves. We’ve asked for grace to grow in holiness, strength to resist temptation, help in times of duty, and comfort in times of trial. We’ve constantly come to God as beggars, asking Him to meet every need.

Fellow Christians, you know you’ve never found what your soul needs anywhere else but in God. Every bit of spiritual nourishment has come from Him. Every blessing you’ve experienced has flowed from Christ, the living Rock. Your soul has never grown rich on its own; it has always depended on God’s daily provision. Because of this, your prayers have continually gone up to heaven for countless spiritual mercies. Your needs have been many, and God’s supplies have been even greater.

So, don’t you have reason to say, “I love the Lord because He has heard my prayers”? As many prayers as you’ve lifted up, God has faithfully answered. He has heard you in times of trouble, strengthened you, and helped you, even when you doubted. Let this fill your heart with gratitude to the God who has graciously listened to your weak prayers. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits!”

Evening

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. — Jas 5:16 BSB

Intercessory prayer—praying for others—is one of the sweetest prayers God hears because it reflects the heart of Christ. When Jesus intercedes for us, He never prays for Himself; every prayer is for others. Since His intercession is the most pleasing of all, our prayers will also be sweet to God when they reflect the same love for others. Yes, God listens to our prayers for ourselves, but when we pray for others, those prayers are filled with love, faith, and kindness, making them a beautiful offering to God.

Intercessory prayer is also incredibly powerful. Scripture is full of examples of how effective it is. Christian, you have a powerful tool in your hands—use it well, use it often, and use it with faith. When you have the King’s attention, speak to Him on behalf of those who are suffering. When you are given the privilege to draw near to His throne, and He says, “Ask, and I will give you what you desire,” don’t ask only for yourself, but also for those who need His help.

If you have grace in your heart, and you’re not praying for others, that grace must be very small. True grace leads us to carry the needs of others before God. Let us take advantage of the privilege and power of intercession, offering prayers for others with the same passion and care we have when we pray for ourselves.