Captivity Turned By Intercessory Prayer

CAPTIVITY TURNED BY INTERCESSORY PRAYER

Job 42:10

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. Evan, 5 year old, told his daddy he'd like to have a baby brother. “If you pray every day for two months for a baby brother, I bet that God will give you one!"

2. Evan prayed every night for a whole month, but after a month, he got tired & quit.

3. 8 months later, his now pregnant mother went into labor. It was twins!

4. Evan's dad looked down at him and said, "Now aren't you glad you prayed?" Evan hesitated a little and then said, "Yes, but aren't you glad I quit when I did?"

B. TEXT “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends” JOB 42:10.

C. GOD’S PURPOSES IN TRIALS

1. Our longest trials WILL have an end. Our deepest sorrows shall have a conclusion -- when God’s purposes are completed.

2. What was God’s purpose in Job’s trials?

a. THAT SATAN MIGHT BE DEFEATED. God showed that His relationship with a human couldn’t be overcome by the enemy, even if he had everything his own way. Instead Job uttered those conquering words, “Though He [God] slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”

b. THAT JOB’S FAITH MIGHT BE PURIFIED.

c. Another – that GOD’S GLORY MIGHT BE RESTORED from Satan’s slander.

D. THESIS

We’re going to look at the importance of intercessory prayer. The title of this message is “Captivity Turned by Intercessory Prayer.”

I. INTERCESSION IS NORMAL FOR GOD’S CHILDREN

A. BELIEVER’S HAVE ALWAYS PRAYED. Let me remind you that intercessory prayer has been practiced by all the best of God’s saints.

1. ABRAHAM prayed for Lot & his family and it showed how kind and generous God is toward sinners!

2. MOSES and Aaron fell on their faces before God to ask Him spare Isreal.

3. Think of SOLOMON, who interceded for Israel at the dedication of the temple.

4. Or HEZEKIAH, who spread out Sennacherib’s letter before the Lord & 186,000 died by an angel.

5. Or ELIJAH, who prayed for rain, and said to his servant, “Go again” seven times.

6. And don’t forget JEREMIAH, the weeping prophet because of his many crying intercessions.

7. PETER prayed on the top of the house; how STEPHEN prayed even as the stones were falling. PAUL – never stopped remembering the saints in his prayers.

B. TO PRAY FOR OTHERS IS A DUTY

1. SAMUEL said “God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you.”

2. The best example of intercessory prayer is the Lord Jesus. Even in the agonies at the crucifixion, he prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And today, before the throne, Jesus “ever lives to make intercession for us” Heb. 7:25.

C. PRAYER UNITES US

1. One man told a Pastor he had a bone to pick with him. The pastor said “Let’s pray first”. When they rose from their knees, he said, “Now, friend, I think we are both in a good state of mind; tell me what you find fault with.”

2. The man blushed, and stammered, and said, “I don’t think it’s important after all!”

D. INTERCESSION A ROYAL PRIVILEGE

1. People who are close to a King are said to “have the King’s ear.” It’s the same way with God’s servants; WE have access to the King of Kings!

2. WE can take the petitions of people separated, and away from God – before the throne of grace and get them aid.

II. WHY BE EXCITED ABOUT PRAYER?

A. GOD LOVES YOUR PRAYERS

Prov. 15:8 says, "the prayer of the upright is his delight." Intercessory prayer is the sweetest prayer God ever hears. Instead of us praying for our ourselves, God is pleased when we’re selfless and pray for others’ needs.

B. PRAYER HAS UNLIMITED POWER

1. God healed thousands of people when King Hezekiah prayed for them (2 Chron. 30:20).

2. A Prophet prayed for a King’s withered arm and God healed it (1 Kgs. 13:6).

3. A woman named Hannah was infertile, but she prayed and the Lord healed her (1 Sam. 1:27) and gave her 6 children!

4. Seas were parted, dead were raised, armies were defeated, nations were overthrown, history was altered, and people gained heavenly places – all because someone prayed!

5. There’s nothing that intercessory prayer can’t do. "Prayer breaks all bars, dissolves all chains, and opens all prisons...” (E.M. Bounds).

6. William Cowper said, "Satan trembles when he sees the weakest Christian on his knees."

C. IT OVERCOMES OUR EXCUSES

1. “THERE’S NO USE PRAYING FOR SO-N-SO”

a. MAN THOUGHT DEAD, WAS ALIVE. On Aug. 5, 2013, Anthony Yahle, a 37-year-old diesel mechanic, was pronounced dead at the hospital. His upset 17 year-old son Lawrence shouted, "Dad, you're not going to die today!" Moments later, the doctors again tried to revive him, and it worked. Now he is fine.