God’s Gift of Intercessory Prayer

by Lillian Penner

This month we will honor our Veterans who sacrificed for the freedoms we enjoy in our nation. I would like to share a testimony of a friend whose husband was deployed in the Middle East. I hope it will help you see the need to support our troops and their families with our intercessory prayer.

She writes, “We see the slogan ‘Support Our Troops’ on bumper stickers and banners across our country, yet what does it really mean. I found out first hand when my husband, an engineer and Navy Reservist, was deployed to serve in the Middle East for eight months. Our church rallied around our family and bridged the gap while my husband was gone.

“As a wife and mother of four precious children, you would think I would be able to fervently pray for my husband but I could not. All my life I have had a gift for strong intercessory prayer but when it came to my husband serving in the war – it was too close to home and too terrifying. Of course, I prayed for him with the children daily however, it was the faithful prayer warriors of our church who interceded for all of us as a personal and practical way to ‘Support Our Troops.’

It was such a comfort for me to know my husband and our family was covered in prayer by our church. So many times during those challenging eight months of single parenting, I would feel a wave of peace settle over me – as if someone had slipped a warm blanket over my shoulders. I just knew someone was praying for me.

The next time you see the bumper sticker ‘Support Our Troops’ or hear about the war on television think about the gift of intercessory prayer. Your prayers for the troops and their families will make a big difference for them.”

Do you know someone from your church or community who is in the military you can pray for him or her by name? Ask God how he would like you to support those in the military and help their families. We are supporting our troops when we support their spouses, children, and parents with our prayers and kindness.

God has given us the opportunity to carry each other’s burdens. Paul tells us in Galatians 6:2, 3 “Share each others troubles and problems, and in this way we obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are fooling yourself, you are really a nobody.”

I am sure you have family members, friends, and acquaintances, who are going through a difficult time with a broken marriage, health issues, family issues, prodigal children etc. Sometimes when we are going through these times, the pain is so hurtful that we cannot pray for ourselves. When you pray for people you open the door for God to work in their lives, however they still have to choose to cooperate with Him.

Communicate your prayer support for them by sending an email, calling on the telephone, or sending a written note to let them know you are praying for them. It will bless and encourage them to know you are praying for them and God will be bless you for your obedience. God has given us the gift of intercessory prayer.