September - Week 1:
 
A simple prayer of intercession can be:
 

We see an example of the power of intercessory prayer in the book of John. Jesus' prayer just before His capture and crucifixion is the most powerful intercessory prayer recorded in Scripture.
 
In John 17:9 Jesus begins to pray for:

His prayer stresses to His Father the need for "His own" to remain strong in Him. (v.11)
He also desires for "His own" to have the joy that He has be fulfilled in them. (v.13)
Another request Jesus shares is that the beloved would be "sanctified through the truth: Thy word is truth”. (v.17)
Then Jesus prays for future generations of Believers. (v. 20-23)
This prayer request is one that keeps on being answered even today.
His desire for the "unity of the spirit" to remain in the beloved was and is true for today as well.
 
Jesus, the God-Man, helps us understand the dynamic of praying, entreating, and interceding on behalf of others.
This marvelous passage shows Jesus intimately communing in prayer with His Father on our behalf.
 
APPLICATION:

• When I intercede for others, what do I usually pray for?
• How can I incorporate what I have learned from Jesus' prayer into my prayers for others?

Intercession is a privilege and is powerful.
It is a privilege to pray for you as you receive these weekly devotionals.
To the glory of God!
 
 
Sandra Davis, for the team at Women in Discipleship