DO WE NEED INTERCESSORY PRAYERS?

Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Question: Do We Need Intercessory Prayers?

Answer: Nowhere in the Bible are we instructed as believer in Christ to pray to anyone other than God, nowhere is it mentioned or are we encouraged as believers to ask anyone in heaven for their prayers. To ask for anyone other than Jesus Christ or the Holy Spirit to intercede for us is blatantly unbiblical. Hebrew 4:16 tells us that we as believers here on earth can “approach the throne of grace with confidence.”

First Timothy 2:5 very clearly states, "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." There is no one else that can mediate with God for us. Since the Bible tells that Jesus is the ONLY mediator, then none other mediate our prayer requests to God. Further, the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ Himself is interceding for us before the Father: "Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25). With Jesus Himself interceding for us, why would we need anyone else to intercede for us? Will god listen to someone else more closely than to His Son? We are told in Romans 8:26 that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. So if the 2nd and 3rd members of the Holy Trinity are already interceding for us before the Father in heaven, what could possible lead us to believe that we need to have any other entity interceding for us?

Some say that Paul asked the Ephesians to pray for him and that is correct, however if we examine that claim. First the Apostle Paul does asks other Christians to pray for him in Ephesians 6:19. And many Scriptures describe believers praying for one another (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 1:16; Philippians 1:19; 2 Timothy 1:3). However nowhere does the Bible mention anyone asking for someone in heaven to pray for him. Second we are absolutely not given any indications in the Bible that anyone else in heaven can hear our prayers. There is none other than God who is omniscient. Even while some are glorified in heaven, they are still finite beings with limitations. How could they possibly hear the prayers of millions of people? Bible references to praying to or speaking with the dead, are in the context of sorcery, witchcraft, necromancy, and divination, all activities that are strongly condemned in the Bible (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-13). There is one instance when a "saint" is spoken to, Samuel in 1 Samuel 28:7-19, Samuel is not exactly happy to be disturbed. Therefore it is clear that praying to anyone other than God in heaven is completely different from asking someone here on earth to pray for us.

God answers prayers if they are asked according to His will per 1 John 5:14-15 He does not answer prayers based on who is praying. There is absolutely no basis or need to pray to anyone other than God alone. There is no basis for asking those who are in heaven to pray for us. Only God hears our prayers. Only God answers our prayers. No one in heaven has any greater access to God's throne than we do through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).

Rayed Redemption Ministry

Euless, TX 76039

www.rayedredemption.org 

LEAD WITH INTEGRITY

John 7:3-4, NKJV

“His brothers therefore said to Him, Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things show Yourself to the world.”

At first Jesus’ family had a hard time believing in him, even though some of his brothers like James would eventually become leaders of the church. At one point they were even embarrassed by him. They knew He could perform miracles though and as such they tried to pressure Him into going to the Feast of the Tabernacle and put on a performance by wowing some into rebelling against the Romans. Jesus could have followed their advice, put on a performance and possibly even launch a political career, what better place than “The Feast.”

Jesus though was not a crowd pleaser or a performer, He knew what his mission on earth was, and that was to redeem people of their sins, not to put on performances, pleasing his family, or winning fans. Again He knew his purpose and He kept that purpose in mind. Jesus was not persuaded to turn away, not even for that one day of what would have been certain earthly glory and fame.

As leaders of the church we should follow Jesus’ example and not follow others agendas, we need to stand firm and keep our goals in focus our missions dealing with integrity knowing that we cannot allow ourselves to be persuaded to cave in to others people pleasing, glory grabbing decisions. Pursuing our goals and doing our service while leading with integrity may not be the easiest or most popular path, however it normally proves itself as the wiser path to follow.

Whatever our call or ministry is, whether mopping up in the background, or delivering the grandest of sermons, we are leaders and counselors, we are a reflection of our Lord and Savior to others, specially non-believers who take a cue from our actions therefor we should lead with wisdom and integrity without fanfare or self-aggrandizing, keeping our service and goals in mind, to share the Word, plant the seed and let them know that they could be redeemed of theirs sins.    

Rayed Redemption Ministry

Euless, TX 76039

www.rayedredemption.org  

Set The Church On Fire Message

Set the Church on Fire

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
Matthew 3:11 New King James Version (NKJV)

Rayed Redemption Ministry

Euless, TX 76039

www.rayedredemption.org

MISAEL'S TESTIMONY

Very Powerful Testimony from 11 year old Misael.

Last Sunday just before service started, this young man came up to Carmen and I and introduced himself, after very graciously going through his introduction, he asked us if we were interested in hearing his testimony.

The recording you can witness here is the result of his approaching us to tells us and my being so impressed by him as a young man and by his testimony that I asked him if he would be interested in sharing it with those that I minister to.

After meeting his parent to get permission, Carmen recorded him both in English and in Spanish, yet the surprises were not done.

Once we were done recording him, he asked if now he could get permission to do something, to pray for Carmen and I and for our ministry which he did in a way that made tears roll down my face.

The Lord is using this young man like He does all of us in such magnificent ways.

I am so thankful to our Father that He brought Misael into our lives. Join me in praying for him that the Lord continues to use him and that his own ministry grows and edifies those that he comes in contact with just like he touched us.

Rayed Redemption Ministry

Euless, TX 76039

www.rayedredemption.org