God is in Control n God in many ways tells us that He controls the affairs of men.

God is in ControlGod is in Control

God in many ways tells us that He controls God in many ways tells us that He controls the affairs of men.the affairs of men.


God in many ways tells us that He controls God in many ways tells us that He controls the affairs of men.the affairs of men.

Christ is one who rules the nations with a Christ is one who rules the nations with a rod of iron. rod of iron. (Ps 2:7-11; Rev 2:27; 19:15-16)(Ps 2:7-11; Rev 2:27; 19:15-16)


(Psalms 2:7-11 NKJV)(Psalms 2:7-11 NKJV) “I will declare the “I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are are My Son, Today I have begotten You.My Son, Today I have begotten You. {8} {8} Ask of Me, and I will give Ask of Me, and I will give You You The The nations nations for for Your inheritance, And the ends Your inheritance, And the ends of the earth of the earth for for Your possession.Your possession.


(Revelation 2:27 NKJV)(Revelation 2:27 NKJV) ‘He shall rule ‘He shall rule them with a rod of iron; They shall be them with a rod of iron; They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’; dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’; as I also have received from My Father;as I also have received from My Father;


(Revelation 19:15-16 NKJV)(Revelation 19:15-16 NKJV) Now out of Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.wrath of Almighty God. {16} {16} And He has on And He has on His His robe and on His thigh a name written: robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.


In fact the power of God is so great that the In fact the power of God is so great that the nations are compared to dust. nations are compared to dust. (Isa 40:17-18, 21-24)(Isa 40:17-18, 21-24)


(Isaiah 40:17-18 NKJV)(Isaiah 40:17-18 NKJV) All nations All nations before Him before Him are are as nothing, And they are as nothing, And they are counted by Him less than nothing and counted by Him less than nothing and worthless.worthless. {18} {18} To whom then will you To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare to Him?compare to Him?


(Isaiah 40:21-24 NKJV)(Isaiah 40:21-24 NKJV) Have you not Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?understood from the foundations of the earth? {22} It is {22} It is He who sits above the circle of the He who sits above the circle of the earth, And its inhabitants earth, And its inhabitants are are like like grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens grasshoppers, Who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent like a curtain, And spreads them out like a tent to dwell in.to dwell in.


{23} {23} He brings the princes to nothing; He He brings the princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.makes the judges of the earth useless. {24} {24} Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely Scarcely shall they be planted, Scarcely shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their shall they be sown, Scarcely shall their stock take root in the earth, When He will stock take root in the earth, When He will also blow on them, And they will wither, also blow on them, And they will wither, And the whirlwind will take them away like And the whirlwind will take them away like stubble.stubble.


You as a faithful Christian in fact has more You as a faithful Christian in fact has more power over this world than our president power over this world than our president and all other rulers combined. and all other rulers combined. (1 Tim 2:1-(1 Tim 2:1-2)2)


(1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV)(1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV) Therefore I Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, intercessions, and and giving of thanks be giving of thanks be made for all men,made for all men, {2} {2} for kings and all who for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.reverence.


We will examine a man whom God We will examine a man whom God regarded as a great man of prayer, Moses.regarded as a great man of prayer, Moses.


We will examine a man whom God We will examine a man whom God regarded as a great man of prayer, Moses.regarded as a great man of prayer, Moses.

God later uses Moses by name as an God later uses Moses by name as an example of one who knew how to example of one who knew how to intercede! (intercede! (Jer 15:1)Jer 15:1)


(Jeremiah 15:1 NKJV)(Jeremiah 15:1 NKJV) Then the LORD Then the LORD said to me, said to me, “Even “Even if Moses and Samuel if Moses and Samuel stood before Me, My mind stood before Me, My mind would would not not be be favorable toward this people. Cast favorable toward this people. Cast them them out out of My sight, and let them go forth.of My sight, and let them go forth.


We need to learn that prayer is far more We need to learn that prayer is far more than just asking God for things we need! If than just asking God for things we need! If you made a pie chart of these three, praise, you made a pie chart of these three, praise, confession, petition and intercession, what confession, petition and intercession, what would it look like?would it look like?

What is Really Important to Us?What is Really Important to Us?

Let us see from example what God can do Let us see from example what God can do through one man who intercedes.through one man who intercedes.

The Power of the IntercessorThe Power of the Intercessor

It only takes one to make a difference.It only takes one to make a difference.


It only takes one to make a difference.It only takes one to make a difference. The destruction of Israel came because The destruction of Israel came because

there was not one to stand in the gap. there was not one to stand in the gap. (Ezek 22:30-31)(Ezek 22:30-31)


(Ezekiel 22:30-31 NKJV)(Ezekiel 22:30-31 NKJV) “So I sought for a “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.one. {31} {31} “Therefore I have poured out My “Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.says the Lord GOD.


These people needed a Moses to teach them These people needed a Moses to teach them and to pray for them.and to pray for them.


These people needed a Moses to teach them These people needed a Moses to teach them and to pray for them.and to pray for them.

Who are those today who are “standing in Who are those today who are “standing in the gap?” the gap?” (Jas 5:16)(Jas 5:16)


(James 5:16 NKJV)(James 5:16 NKJV) Confess Confess your your trespasses to one another, and pray for one trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.avails much.


Moses’ prayers saved Israel on several Moses’ prayers saved Israel on several occasions.occasions.


Moses’ prayers saved Israel on several Moses’ prayers saved Israel on several occasions.occasions.

They were saved from fire after They were saved from fire after complaining about His leadership. complaining about His leadership. (Num 11:1-3)(Num 11:1-3)


(Numbers 11:1-3 NKJV)(Numbers 11:1-3 NKJV) Now Now when when the the people complained, it displeased the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard LORD; for the LORD heard it, it, and His and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD anger was aroused. So the fire of the LORD burned among them, and consumed burned among them, and consumed some some in in the outskirts of the camp.the outskirts of the camp. {2} {2} Then the Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched.prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched.


{3} {3} So he called the name of the place So he called the name of the place Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had Taberah, because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.burned among them.


Moses pleaded for Israel twice during Moses pleaded for Israel twice during Korah’s rebellion.Korah’s rebellion. (Num 16:19-22, 42-49) (Num 16:19-22, 42-49)


(Numbers 16:19-22 NKJV)(Numbers 16:19-22 NKJV) And Korah And Korah gathered all the congregation against them at gathered all the congregation against them at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the the glory of the LORD appeared to all the congregation.congregation. {20} {20} And the LORD spoke to And the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying,Moses and Aaron, saying, {21} {21} “Separate “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”I may consume them in a moment.”


{22} {22} Then they fell on their faces, and said, Then they fell on their faces, and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and You be angry with shall one man sin, and You be angry with all the congregation?”all the congregation?”


(Numbers 16:42-49 NKJV)(Numbers 16:42-49 NKJV) Now it Now it happened, when the congregation had happened, when the congregation had gathered against Moses and Aaron, that gathered against Moses and Aaron, that they turned toward the tabernacle of they turned toward the tabernacle of meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, meeting; and suddenly the cloud covered it, and the glory of the LORD appeared.and the glory of the LORD appeared. {43} {43} Then Moses and Aaron came before the Then Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of meeting.tabernacle of meeting.


{44} {44} And the LORD spoke to Moses, And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,saying, {45} {45} “Get away from among this “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces.moment.” And they fell on their faces.


{46} {46} So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a So Moses said to Aaron, “Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense incense on it, on it, and take it quickly to the and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun.”plague has begun.”


{47} {47} Then Aaron took Then Aaron took it it as Moses as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people.and made atonement for the people. {48} {48} And he stood between the dead and the And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.living; so the plague was stopped.


{49} {49} Now those who died in the plague Now those who died in the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, were fourteen thousand seven hundred, besides those who died in the Korah besides those who died in the Korah incident.incident.


They were saved from poisonous snakes They were saved from poisonous snakes after they spoke against God and against after they spoke against God and against Moses. Moses. (Num 21:4-9)(Num 21:4-9)


(Numbers 21:4-9 NKJV)(Numbers 21:4-9 NKJV) Then they journeyed Then they journeyed from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to from Mount Hor by the Way of the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the go around the land of Edom; and the soul of the people became very discouraged on the way.people became very discouraged on the way. {5} {5} And the people spoke against God and against And the people spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is there is no no food and no water, and our soul loathes this food and no water, and our soul loathes this worthless bread.”worthless bread.”


{6} {6} So the LORD sent fiery serpents among So the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and the people, and they bit the people; and many of the people of Israel died.many of the people of Israel died. {7} {7} Therefore the people came to Moses, and Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken said, “We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD that He take away the serpents the LORD that He take away the serpents from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.


{8} {8} Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery fiery serpent, serpent, and set it on a pole; and it and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”he looks at it, shall live.” {9} {9} So Moses So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.lived.


Moses had to mightily plead with God after Moses had to mightily plead with God after the people worshipped idols while the 10 the people worshipped idols while the 10 commandments were given. commandments were given. (Ex 32:7-14)(Ex 32:7-14)


(Exodus 32:7-14 NKJV)(Exodus 32:7-14 NKJV) And the LORD said And the LORD said to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people to Moses, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted have corrupted themselves. {8} themselves. {8} “They have “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This to it, and said, ‘This is is your god, O Israel, that your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’”brought you out of the land of Egypt!’”


{9} {9} And the LORD said to Moses, “I have And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it seen this people, and indeed it is is a stiff-a stiff-necked people!necked people! {10} {10} “Now therefore, let Me “Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation.”make of you a great nation.”


{11} {11} Then Moses pleaded with the LORD Then Moses pleaded with the LORD his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your his God, and said: “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?with great power and with a mighty hand?


{12} {12} “Why should the Egyptians speak, “Why should the Egyptians speak, and say, ‘He brought them out to harm and say, ‘He brought them out to harm them, to kill them in the mountains, and to them, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent Turn from Your fierce wrath, and relent from this harm to Your people.from this harm to Your people.


{13} {13} “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Your servants, to whom You swore by Your Your servants, to whom You swore by Your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven; and your descendants as the stars of heaven; and all this land that I have spoken of I give to all this land that I have spoken of I give to your descendants, and they shall inherit your descendants, and they shall inherit it it forever.’”forever.’” {14} {14} So the LORD relented from So the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His the harm which He said He would do to His people.people.


Can you imagine how a nation’s existence Can you imagine how a nation’s existence hung in the balance over the issue of hung in the balance over the issue of whether Moses would intercede for them? whether Moses would intercede for them? Brethren, let us get on our knees!Brethren, let us get on our knees!



Moses also prayed for individuals.Moses also prayed for individuals.



Moses also prayed for individuals.Moses also prayed for individuals. Aaron and Miriam, Moses own brother and Aaron and Miriam, Moses own brother and

sister, tried to undermine his authority. sister, tried to undermine his authority. ((Num 12:1-2, 10-13)Num 12:1-2, 10-13)


(Numbers 12:1-2 NKJV)(Numbers 12:1-2 NKJV) Then Miriam Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had the Ethiopian woman whom he had married; for he had married an Ethiopian married; for he had married an Ethiopian woman.woman. {2} {2} So they said, “Has the LORD So they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?” And the not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard LORD heard it.it.


(Numbers 12:10-13 NKJV)(Numbers 12:10-13 NKJV) And when the And when the cloud departed from above the tabernacle, cloud departed from above the tabernacle, suddenly Miriam suddenly Miriam became became leprous, as leprous, as white white as as snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, snow. Then Aaron turned toward Miriam, and there she was, a leper.and there she was, a leper. {11} {11} So Aaron So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay lay this this sin on us, in which we have done sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.foolishly and in which we have sinned.


{12} {12} “Please do not let her be as one dead, “Please do not let her be as one dead, whose flesh is half consumed when he whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb!”comes out of his mother’s womb!” {13} {13} So So Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “Please heal her, O God, I pray!”“Please heal her, O God, I pray!”


How many more did this great man save How many more did this great man save because of his prayers?because of his prayers?

The Heart of the IntercessorThe Heart of the Intercessor

Moses was unselfish.Moses was unselfish.


Moses was unselfish.Moses was unselfish. God bore witness of his character during God bore witness of his character during

one of these events. one of these events. (Num 12:3)(Num 12:3)


(Numbers 12:3 NKJV)(Numbers 12:3 NKJV) (Now the man (Now the man Moses Moses was was very humble, more than all men very humble, more than all men who who were were on the face of the earth.)on the face of the earth.)


It takes this kind of heart to pray for It takes this kind of heart to pray for another. When was the last time you another. When was the last time you prayed at length for others?prayed at length for others?


He not only prayed for his friends, but also He not only prayed for his friends, but also for those who meant him harm and who had for those who meant him harm and who had falsely charged him. falsely charged him. (Num 16:3)(Num 16:3)


(Numbers 16:3 NKJV)(Numbers 16:3 NKJV) They gathered They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, to them, “You take “You take too much upon too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation yourselves, for all the congregation is is holy, holy, every one of them, and the LORD every one of them, and the LORD is is among among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”above the assembly of the LORD?”


God means for us to pray for our enemies. God means for us to pray for our enemies. Be honest, do you? Be honest, do you? (Mt 5:44-45)(Mt 5:44-45)


(Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV)(Matthew 5:44-45 NKJV) “But I say to “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,and persecute you, {45} {45} “that you may be “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.sends rain on the just and on the unjust.


"Men may spurn our appeals, reject our "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our message, oppose our arguments, despise our message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons, but they are helpless against our persons, but they are helpless against our prayers." prayers."


Moses was forgiving.Moses was forgiving.


Moses was forgiving.Moses was forgiving. Look at the occasions where men a few Look at the occasions where men a few

minutes earlier had attacked Moses, now minutes earlier had attacked Moses, now begged for and received his prayers!begged for and received his prayers!


Moses was forgiving.Moses was forgiving. Look at the occasions where men a few Look at the occasions where men a few

minutes earlier had attacked Moses, now minutes earlier had attacked Moses, now begged for and received his prayers!begged for and received his prayers!

The nation of Israel. The nation of Israel. (Num 11:2; 21:7)(Num 11:2; 21:7)


(Numbers 11:2 NKJV)(Numbers 11:2 NKJV) Then the people Then the people cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed cried out to Moses, and when Moses prayed to the LORD, the fire was quenched.to the LORD, the fire was quenched.


(Numbers 12:7 NKJV)(Numbers 12:7 NKJV) Not so with My Not so with My servant Moses; He servant Moses; He is is faithful in all My faithful in all My house.house.


Aaron. Aaron. (Num 12:11)(Num 12:11)


(Numbers 12:11 NKJV)(Numbers 12:11 NKJV) So Aaron said to So Aaron said to Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay Moses, “Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this this sin on us, in which we have done foolishly sin on us, in which we have done foolishly and in which we have sinned.and in which we have sinned.


Moses did not lecture them nor wait to Moses did not lecture them nor wait to forgive them. forgive them. (Mt 18:21-22)(Mt 18:21-22)


Matthew 18:21-22 (NKJV)- Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.


"Nothing can so quickly cancel the frictions "Nothing can so quickly cancel the frictions of life as prayer. If you find yourself of life as prayer. If you find yourself growing angry at someone, pray for him -- growing angry at someone, pray for him -- anger cannot live in an atmosphere of anger cannot live in an atmosphere of prayer." prayer."


If we do not forgive, our prayers are a waste If we do not forgive, our prayers are a waste of time.of time.


Moses was dedicated.Moses was dedicated.


Moses was a busy man who could have Moses was a busy man who could have made the excuse that he did not have time made the excuse that he did not have time to pray.to pray.


Moses was a busy man who could have Moses was a busy man who could have made the excuse that he did not have time made the excuse that he did not have time to pray.to pray.

Moses knew where his power came from! Moses knew where his power came from! To neglect prayer is to neglect life. To neglect prayer is to neglect life. (Deut 32:4-9)(Deut 32:4-9)


(Numbers 32:4-9 NKJV)(Numbers 32:4-9 NKJV) “the country “the country which the LORD defeated before the which the LORD defeated before the congregation of Israel, congregation of Israel, is is a land for a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock, and your servants have livestock.”livestock.” {5} {5} Therefore they said, “If we Therefore they said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”Do not take us over the Jordan.”


{6} {6} And Moses said to the children of Gad And Moses said to the children of Gad and to the children of Reuben: “Shall your and to the children of Reuben: “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?brethren go to war while you sit here? {7} {7} “Now why will you discourage the heart of “Now why will you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the children of Israel from going over into the land which the LORD has given them?the land which the LORD has given them? {8} {8} “Thus your fathers did when I sent them “Thus your fathers did when I sent them away from Kadesh Barnea to see the land.away from Kadesh Barnea to see the land.


{9} {9} “For when they went up to the Valley of “For when they went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, so that the heart of the children of Israel, so that they did not go into the land which the they did not go into the land which the LORD had given them.LORD had given them.


Moses loved the things of God.Moses loved the things of God.


Moses loved the things of God.Moses loved the things of God. How else could he pray for such an How else could he pray for such an

unlovable people? He knew that God had unlovable people? He knew that God had chosen them, so he loved them too.chosen them, so he loved them too.


Is this how we view our brethren? Is this how we view our brethren? (Rom 14:15-16)(Rom 14:15-16)


(Romans 14:15-16 NKJV)(Romans 14:15-16 NKJV) Yet if your Yet if your brother is grieved because of brother is grieved because of your your food, you food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.Christ died. {16} {16} Therefore do not let your Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil;good be spoken of as evil;

Our Opportunities to be IntercessorsOur Opportunities to be Intercessors

We first must have the right kind of heart. We first must have the right kind of heart. (Jas 4:1-3)(Jas 4:1-3)


(James 4:1-3 NKJV)(James 4:1-3 NKJV) Where do wars and Where do wars and fights fights come come from among you? Do from among you? Do they they not not come come from your from your desires for desires for pleasure that war in pleasure that war in your members?your members? {2} {2} You lust and do not have. You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.you do not ask. {3} {3} You ask and do not You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend spend it it on your pleasures.on your pleasures.


We need to have cleansed hearts so we can We need to have cleansed hearts so we can approach God. approach God. (Jas 4:8)(Jas 4:8)


(James 4:8 NKJV)(James 4:8 NKJV) Draw near to God and Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse He will draw near to you. Cleanse your your hands, hands, you you sinners; and purify sinners; and purify your your hearts, hearts, you you double-minded.double-minded.


When the things of God are more important When the things of God are more important than our personal advancement, then our than our personal advancement, then our prayers can be mighty.prayers can be mighty.


We must then have the vision to see the We must then have the vision to see the needs of others.needs of others.


We must then have the vision to see the We must then have the vision to see the needs of others.needs of others.

Jesus knew that we can not pray for that Jesus knew that we can not pray for that which we cannot see. which we cannot see. (Mt 9:36-38)(Mt 9:36-38)


(Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV)(Matthew 9:36-38 NKJV) But when He saw But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.shepherd. {37} {37} Then He said to His disciples, Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly “The harvest truly is is plentiful, but the laborers plentiful, but the laborers are are few.few. {38} {38} “Therefore pray the Lord of the “Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”


How many in this church dearly need our How many in this church dearly need our prayers? Why not go through the directory prayers? Why not go through the directory and pray for ever member?and pray for ever member?



In time we should greatly expand our list!In time we should greatly expand our list!



In time we should greatly expand our list!In time we should greatly expand our list! We should request that others pray for us as We should request that others pray for us as

well as seeking to know others better so we well as seeking to know others better so we can pray for them. can pray for them. (1 Thess 5:25; 2 Thess 3:1; Heb 13:18)(1 Thess 5:25; 2 Thess 3:1; Heb 13:18)


(1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV)(1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV) Brethren, Brethren, pray for us.pray for us.


(2 Thessalonians 3:1 NKJV)(2 Thessalonians 3:1 NKJV) Finally, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run Lord may run swiftly swiftly and be glorified, just and be glorified, just as as it is it is with you,with you,


(Hebrews 13:18 NKJV)(Hebrews 13:18 NKJV) Pray for us; for Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.honorably.


We cannot isolate ourselves from the We cannot isolate ourselves from the people of God and still see their needs.people of God and still see their needs.



We need the dedication to keep praying.We need the dedication to keep praying.



We need the dedication to keep praying.We need the dedication to keep praying. Jesus knew this would be a problem for us. Jesus knew this would be a problem for us.

(Lk 18:6-8; Mt 26:40-41)(Lk 18:6-8; Mt 26:40-41)


(Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV)(Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV) Then He came Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch said to Peter, “What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?with Me one hour? {41} {41} “Watch and pray, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed indeed is is willing, but the flesh willing, but the flesh is is weak.”weak.”


(Luke 18:6-8 NKJV)(Luke 18:6-8 NKJV) Then the Lord said, Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.“Hear what the unjust judge said. {7} {7} “And “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?long with them? {8} {8} “I tell you that He will “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”faith on the earth?”


Will God answer prayer if we do not ask? Will God answer prayer if we do not ask? (Jas 4:2)(Jas 4:2)


(James 4:2 NKJV)(James 4:2 NKJV) You lust and do not You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.have because you do not ask.


Does God want us to ask over and over? Does God want us to ask over and over? Yes, but it must be in faith. Yes, but it must be in faith. (Jas 1:6-8)(Jas 1:6-8)


(James 1:6-8 NKJV)(James 1:6-8 NKJV) But let him ask in But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.by the wind. {7} {7} For let not that man For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;the Lord; {8} he is {8} he is a double-minded man, a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.unstable in all his ways.


"The one concern of the devil is to keep "The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work from prayerless studies, prayerless work and prayerless religion. He laughs at our and prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles toil, mocks at our wisdom, but he trembles when we pray." when we pray."


Will you begin to be an intercessor? Will you begin to be an intercessor?

Date post:	02-Jan-2016
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God is in Control n God in many ways tells us that He controls the affairs of men.

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