Prayers That Prevail
Moses prayed: "Overlook the stubbornness of this people, their wickedness and their sin. Otherwise, the country from which you brought us will say, 'Because the Lord was not able to take them into the land he had promised them, and because he hated them, he brought them out to put them to death in the desert'" (Deuteronomy 9:28). God answered Moses' prayer. "I withdrew my judgment against them to protect the honor of my name" (Ezekiel 20:22 New Living Translation). When we pray for personal concerns, are we most eager for God to receive glory no matter what honor, privilege, or comfort we must release? As we pray for our nation, we must put aside our selfish purposes and be concerned for the honor of God. When we can say, "God, I'm seeking for what will bring the most glory to You," perhaps God will answer us as He did Moses: "Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened" (Exodus 32:14). Prevailing intercession is always heart-searching. The Spirit helps us to search our motives behind our requests. Moses saved his nation because his heart cried, "O, God, it means nothing to me to be honored, if in the process Your reputation is damaged." This prayer prayed with this single motive was one God could answer. Dear Lord, reveal to us the true desires behind our prayers so we can pray prayers that You can answer. "You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it" (John 14:14).
When Moses prayed for Israel, his desires were not about personal gain, power, prestige, or his own honor. What concerned him was the honor of God. He cared about how God would look to those around them.
Please pray for Kim McLean and the praise team as they meet later this month for their second song-writers' retreat. Pray for the Holy Spirit to inspire them to write songs our Lord wants to hear His people sing. Please pray for Kim, Devon, Melinda, Beth Fox, Renita, Angel, Patsy, Ali, and Mary.
