In what ways can we offer sacrifices of prayer for others' spiritual growth today? Job’s Pattern of Protective Prayer “Early in the morning he would offer burnt offerings for each of them… This was Job’s regular practice.” (Job 1:5) Job’s sacrifices were: • Personal – he named each child before the altar. • Preventive – he interceded “perhaps my children have sinned.” • Persistent – he did it “regularly.” While animal offerings are fulfilled in Christ (Hebrews 10:12), the Lord still calls us to present spiritual sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5). Prayer is our altar; intercession is the fragrant smoke. Why Prayer Is a Sacrifice Today • It costs time, energy, and focus (Psalm 141:2; Hebrews 13:15). • It places others’ needs above our own (Philippians 2:4). • It declares dependence on God rather than human effort (Zechariah 4:6). Practical Ways to Offer Sacrifices of Prayer for Others’ Growth 1. Scheduled Intercession – Set a daily time slot, as Job did “early in the morning.” – Create a prayer calendar: family on Monday, church leaders Tuesday, missionaries Wednesday, etc. 2. Name-by-Name Covering – List each person and specific spiritual needs: salvation, purity, wisdom. – Lay hands on the list as a symbolic “altar.” 3. Praying Scripture Over Them – Ephesians 3:16-19 for inner strength and Christ-rooted love. – Colossians 1:9-12 for knowledge of God’s will and endurance. – 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 for protection from evil and steadfastness. 4. Fasting-Enhanced Intercession – Combine prayer with a meal or media fast (Matthew 6:16-18) to signal seriousness. – Use the hunger pangs as prompts to pray. 5. Night-Watch Prayer – Set an alarm once a week to rise and pray (Psalm 63:6). – Quiet hours sharpen listening to the Spirit for guidance. 6. Prayer Walks or Drives – Walk a child’s school perimeter or drive around a friend’s workplace, praying Psalm 5:12: “You surround him with favor as a shield.” 7. Group Agreement – Join or start a small intercession group (Matthew 18:19-20). – Share updates to fuel faith as prayers are answered. 8. Immediate Obedience to Prompts – When the Spirit brings someone to mind, stop and pray on the spot (Ephesians 6:18). 9. Blessing Messages – After praying, send a brief text of encouragement with a verse (Proverbs 25:11). – This couples prayer with spoken blessing. 10. Thanksgiving in Advance – Thank God for growth you have not yet seen (Mark 11:24), a sacrifice of faith. Biblical Models to Inspire Us • Moses standing in the gap for Israel (Exodus 32:11-14). • Samuel: “Far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you.” (1 Samuel 12:23). • Paul laboring “again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). • Epaphras “always wrestling for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature” (Colossians 4:12). Keys to Sustaining the Fire • Keep short accounts with God—confessed sin keeps the channel clear (Psalm 66:18; James 5:16). • Record answers; reviewed testimonies stoke zeal (Psalm 77:11-12). • Remember Christ’s intercession for you (Hebrews 7:25); draw strength from His example. • Trust that “the prayer of a righteous man has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16). Offering sacrifices of prayer today mirrors Job’s altar: personal, preventive, persistent, and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. |
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