Prayer Power: Interceding for Others
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Rev. 12:7–9, Eph. 6:12, Heb. 7:25, Eph. 1:15–21, Dan. 10:10–14, 1 John 5:14–16.
Memory Text: “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16, NKJV).
The New Testament church members felt their need of prayer. “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31, NKJV). Notice the disciples prayed. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and then they spoke the Word of God with boldness, or confidence.
There was a direct relationship between their prayers, the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and powerfully proclaiming God’s Word. “The disciples . . . did not ask for a blessing for themselves merely. They were weighted with the burden of the salvation of souls. They realized that the gospel was to be carried to the world, and they claimed the power that Christ had promised.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 37.
When we seek God and intercede for others, God works in our own hearts to draw us closer to Him and gives us divine wisdom to reach them for His kingdom (James 1:5). He also works powerfully in their lives in ways we cannot see or even fully understand to draw them to Himself (1 John 5:14–17).
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, July 25.
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