Behold He Prayeth !

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from the Book “Behold He Prayeth” – by Joshua Stauffer

Reading: Acts 9:1-11

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,

Acts 9:11

If the Lord would behold many people , what would He see? If the predominating thing in their lives were recorded, it simply would be “Behold, he sleepeth,”or “Behold, he readeth the newspaper,” or “Behold, he listeneth to the radio,” or “Behold she seweth,” or “Behold she cooketh.” But of the person who makes prayer the first, greatest, and most important business in life, God and heaven will take notice that, “Behold, he prayeth.” May this be said of us.

“Intercession is prayer, but all praying is not intercession. Intercession is one type of prayer. It is petitioning, or entreating in behalf of another or others…”

The ministry of intercession is one of the greatest ministries. Someone prayed for us to know God.

1.Pray for all men & those in authority

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

2.Pray for Israel

“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you…”  I Samuel 12:23 (NKJV)

“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”  Romans 10:1 (NKJV)

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”  Romans 1:16 (NKJV)

“The Lord said to Abraham, ‘I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee.’ (Genesis 12:1) This promise is true today…Christian people would court the favor of the Lord if they would pray for Israel that they might be saved. It was Paul’s policy to preach to the Jews first wherever he went. Nothing would be lost but much would be gained, if the policy “to the Jews first” were practiced by Christian people in their praying, preaching, and giving. J. Hudson Taylor, the founder of the China Inland Mission (OMF), made it his policy on the first day of each year to write out a check for the evangelization of the Jews. This would be a good practice for all Christians to follow, then they would be led to pray for them.”

3.Pray for all the saints/the church

“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18 (NKJV)

“The mistake many church people make is they put forth a great effort in getting sinners into church services, then when they get to church, they neglect them…and forget to pray for them.”