Those Praying Saints: The Power Of Intercession Series

Those Praying Saints: The Power of Intercession

Text: James 5:16 (KJV)

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Introduction: The Legacy of the Praying Saints

Church, let me tell you something: we wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for those praying saints!

   •   Some of us made it through because of a praying grandmother.

   •   Some of us survived because of a praying mother or father.

   •   Some of us were kept because of a church mother on her knees, calling out our names before the Lord.

We love to talk about how we got through storms, how we overcame trials, but some of us didn’t make it through on our own prayers! Somebody else was praying for us when we didn’t have the strength to pray for ourselves!

Somebody shout, “Thank God for the praying saints!”

I. The Prayers That Covered Us

Let’s be real—some of us weren’t always saved.

   •   We were out in the streets, but somebody was praying.

   •   We were running from God, but somebody was praying.

   •   We were lost, broken, confused, but somebody was standing in the gap!

The Bible says in Job 1:5 that Job prayed and sacrificed for his children just in case they had sinned. Do I have any parents in here that know what it’s like to pray over your children?

   •   Those praying saints didn’t wait for us to get it right—they prayed us through!

   •   They didn’t judge us when we fell—they prayed us back up!

   •   They didn’t give up on us when we strayed—they stood in the gap until we found our way home!

Somebody shout, “Thank God for the praying saints!”

II. The Power of Praying Saints

Prayer is not just a ritual; it is a weapon!

Those praying saints knew how to go to war in the Spirit!

   •   They prayed until chains broke!

   •   They prayed until healing came!

   •   They prayed until the devil had to back up!

They weren’t worried about cute, polished prayers. They would get down on their knees, rock back and forth, and call on Jesus until something happened!

They prayed:

   •   In the morning!

   •   At midnight!

   •   Through the storm!

   •   Until the answer came!

Somebody shout, “Lord, make me a praying saint!”

III. It’s Our Turn to Be the Praying Saints!

Now, church, we’ve got to ask ourselves—who are we covering in prayer?

   •   Are we praying for our children?

   •   Are we praying for the next generation?

   •   Are we standing in the gap for this world?

We can’t afford to sit back and say, “That’s somebody else’s job.” No! It’s our turn to get on our knees! It’s our turn to be the gap standers! It’s our turn to pray until something happens!

Somebody say, “I will be a praying saint!”

Conclusion: The Power of Those Praying Saints

We are standing here today because somebody prayed for us.

   •   When we were weak, they prayed.

   •   When we were lost, they prayed.

   •   When we were on the verge of giving up, they prayed!

And now, church, it’s our turn to take up the mantle of prayer! We must be the ones crying out for revival! We must be the ones standing in the gap for our families! We must be the ones lifting up this nation before the Lord!

If you’re ready to take your place among the praying saints, lift your hands and declare:

“Lord, make me a praying saint! Use me to intercede! Use me to cover my family! Use me to stand in the gap!”

Now, if you believe that your prayers have power, open your mouth and give God a praise!