The Burden to Pray

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced crops."
James 5:16-18

Those that intercede for others live close to the heart of God. It is a privilege and a high calling to offer Spirit-led prayers to the Lord on behalf of another. We pray with our understanding and we pray in other tongues. The Holy Spirit leads us to intercede for those lost in darkness and for those that need a touch from God. The Lord restores, and the Lord makes all things new. Great power is unleashed when we pray according to God's will.

Sometimes when we pray we sense a burden spiritually that we must “pray through”. Many times I have felt a spiritual heaviness while praying for a certain situation or person. When I continue in prayer for that need, eventually there comes a point when the burden is lifted. Often a person praying like this will sense a joy-filled release. After the Lord has led me praying like this there will often be a tangible answer to prayer such as an individual accepting Jesus as their Savior or a person getting healed.

We can not plan these prayer encounters with the Holy Spirit. They come as He wills, but when we give ourselves to prayer, the Lord uses us more frequently in these ways. A passionate prayer life will birth effective ministry in other areas of our lives. It will cause us to bear fruit within our sphere of influence.

The prayers of a righteous man or woman is powerful and effective, and we have been made righteous through the blood of Christ. Let us come boldly before the throne of God and make our requests known to Him. Let's pray fervently for the purpose of advancing the kingdom of God. As we do this, our relationship with the Lord will deepen, and we will see God move in miraculous ways. Mountains move when God's people pray, and our hearts are transformed as we intercede on behalf of others.

Dear Holy Spirit,

Draw me into an abiding relationship with You, and teach me to pray. Lord I want to pray for others as well as for my own needs. Help me to sense Your stirrings deep within, so I can pray according to Your will. Fill me afresh with Your Spirit and use me for Your glory. Amen.