Day 11: Ask for Others

Come Before Him in Worship: Pause and reflect on the wonderful privilege it is to be called a royal priest unto the Lord! Thank Jesus for His costly sacrifice that gives us unfiltered access to the Father. Do you feel a sense of awe and wonder that the almighty King of the universe listens to and cares about our requests? Let your heart rejoice at the good news that you have been called out of darkness into the kingdom of light and given a position of authority to intercede on behalf of others.

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Devotion: We have spent the last 3 days focused on how to pray for ourselves. But we have also been given the awesome responsibility to pray for others. Peter tells us in this verse that we, as Christians, are now a royal priesthood. Unlike the priesthood of the Old Testament, because of Christ’s once-for-all perfect sacrifice for our sins, we have direct access to God. Jesus is our great high priest (Hebrews 4:14) and because of our union with Him, we share in His priestly status.

As priests, we have been given a ministry of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:18) We are to minister to others in ways that lead people in the church and in the world to be reconciled to God and to each other. Like Jesus, who ever-lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), one of the most important ways we perform this duty is by praying for the people around us and in the world. 1 Timothy 2:1 says that believers should offer prayers, supplication and intercessions for all men, particularly for rulers (we will talk about that on Day 13). Jesus actually meant for prayer to be the great power by which His Church should do its work. Through this intercession, we are also given the power to impart spiritual blessings to others, asking for and receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men.

As we abide in Him and pray for our world, He will open doors around us both to minister to fellow believers and for the gospel to go forth! (Colossians 4:2-4) Charles Spurgeon said, “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.” The world needs for us to pray! That kind of priesthood pushes back the darkness that encroaches all around us!

Respond in Prayer: Father, what a gift it is to have direct access to You! Jesus, thank You for Your example as our perfect high priest. Teach us to follow Your lead and devote ourselves to interceding on behalf of others. Who have You placed in my life that I can pray for today? What do they need from You in this very moment? Holy Spirit, give me wisdom and discernment to know how to pray! Help me to see those around me through the lens of Your love.