Intentional Prayer (but with the Lords leading)
Recently as I opened a class time, an awareness filled my thoughts to speak on the need to pray for one new person during each of our prayer times. This one new person is in addition and outside your family and those you routinely pray over. Often the Holy Spirit will bring a memory or even picture to your mind of a certain person. This may be a leading for you to reach out in prayer for that person.
Praying directed by this leading often is more of your obedience than the specifics of the prayer. This prayer may be a short and simple “bless them” prayer or detailed as the Lord leads. Prayer releases God’s will to be done on this earth.
James 5:16 … and pray for one another so that you may be healed The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much
Many of my prayer times could be defined as “intentional”, meaning I go into prayer with an intent specific either to me or a situation. While this may be good but sometimes, but there are times I feel my prayers are hindered. When I am being intentional and doing what I think is right, I may be ignoring or missing any leading the Lord is giving. Prayer is a two-way communication.
Prayer journaling is a wonderful way to see how the Lord is with us in our prayer journey. I discovered three recent times when I prayed from a leading the Holy Spirit gave me, a different prayer I was waiting on was answered. In each case it was clear there was a link between the prayers. While the Lord orders the steps of a good man, He also does things decently and in order. Prayer is no different.
When you have a prayer burden placed on your heart to pray for someone else, follow where the Lord leads you. You may find that your prayer-needs only get answered after you bless someone else.
