Interceding for your local church through scripture

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Imagine the lights which illuminate the world seen from the eyes of our Creator. In the Book of Revelations candles are the churches of the end times. Our Christ, seated at the Right Hand of the Father in Heaven, has given us His Spirit to do the work of the church through us. And through His precious promises we rest, trust, war, stand... It is like He lives through us...

Churches are His lights about the world. As a smoking flax He tends to, so our lost he pursues. A penny He searches for, a judge he stands knocking for justice. Each soul precious to Him, He oversees, using our hands, and our prayers. A Great Shepherd.

Balaam was a false prophet paid to curse God's people. Yet he could only bless them. We all have spiritual enemies, and physical ones as well. The people which curse us, the spiritual darkness which influence and attack and roam about... But praying for our local churches is daily. And honestly it is considered that the few faithful in the church do a majority of the work. The five fold ministry apostle, prophet, preacher, pastor, and teacher all do their part. But there is always a need in the local family. The hunger of the lost, insatiable, draws them to church, but it is the follow-up of the church to 'cut and clean' the fish caught.

Declaring blessings over your church is a powerful tool which is as old as Genesis when God spoke into life Earth. The tongue has the power of Life and death and those who love it will eat its fruit. It is the same with a child who receives the verbal lashes of a father. The child has more difficulty than a child with a nurturing father. He has to walk in deeper forgiveness and wade through bitter waters in his soul.

Blessing is verbal affection. Speaking life in a society which makes sarcasm natural humor and it well received is rare. Speaking life is powerful. It builds character, helps strengthen the spiritual hull of the church. And often times it brings resistance and draws spiritual attack.

Calling the things the things that be not as though they were was something the Lord did and what Abraham did as well.

Romans 4:17 (as it is written, "A FATHER OF MANY NATIONS HAVE I MADE YOU") in the presence of Him whom he believed, even God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist.

God did it. Abraham followed. It is written in the Word. It is for us.

Praying in secret is a powerful offering to the Lord. God gets great glory from watching in secret and weighing what is within your heart. It creates intimacy with the Lord. (Proverbs 3:32b)

Praying in the Spirit

Ephesians 6:18,19

18With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,…

Asking Knocking Seeking

Matthew 7:77

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Praying in agreement with others

Matthew18:19

¹⁹ “Again I say^[a] to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.

Abiding in Him and He in You

John 15:7

7"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8"My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.…

Coming to the Father's throne for grace and mercy in time of need

Hebrews 4:16

16Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Speaking God's Word to Him

Jeremiah 1:12

Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."

Every epistle Paul scribed begins with a prayer, specific for every church. Often overlooked, the prayer speaks of grace and mercy and peace be unto one. Paul's epistles are a good template for using to pray for the church. Paul, in the knowledge of writing to several churches from one jail cell, is able to speak his heart to them individually, how much more we should find time to pray for our family churches?

Maybe our gifts are not to intercede into churches. Do not be intimidated by gifts of others which you do not have. Remember there are things your eyes see which you can pray for. The needs you notice. All churches have areas where prayer is needed and it isn't just the pastor's responsibility to fill these needs. After all, even if they are in tune with the Holy Spirit, they are still in need of your eyes and hearts and even your hands to pray. A hedge of protection is a simple prayer. Also asking the Lord to bring the needs as in Philippians 4:19. Going into your prayer closet can draw revival to any dying embers of the church.

Seeking and seeking is a scriptural principle which draws great fellowship with Christ. 2 Chronicles 7:14

2 Chronicles 7:14New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

As Jacob wrestled all night with an angel, so turning to the Lord over and over concerning a situation can reap a great return. Ask and keep asking, seek and keep seeking, knock and keep knocking... Then you will receive, find, and it be opened to you. Find out why God speaks. Learn to stand your ground like the lady concerning the crumbs which fall from the masters table. Be mindful Christ often tested people to see what was within them. Understand God is able, we are finite and thus it pleases God to see us rise in faith. After all only through faith can we please God. And looking through scriptures we find Jesus marveled at faith and lack of faith!