Men Praying Together and Praying for Others

1 Timothy 2:1-8, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time.  And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle I am telling the truth, I am not lying and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.  I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

Paul teaches us that as believers we should always be praying for ourselves and others.  He also teaches that when we go to God with our prayers we should be praying for our nation, state, city and government leaders just to name a few. Our prayers should even include those in authority who we did not vote for.  Prayer has the power to change things, people and most of all ourselves.  We should never wait for things in our lives to go array before we begin to pray.  Praying for the church and others should be part of our daily Christian walk.   1Thessalonians 5:16- 18 tells us to “Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Paul also tells us that we should pray for all who do not know Jesus to be saved.  God wants all of his children to turn from sin and be saved by coming to know Him.  “Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” (Ezekiel 18:31-32)

On Saturday, February 27, 2010 the Men’s Ministry will be holding there annual Men’s Prayer breakfast.  On this day the men will come together in pray to lift up the name of Jesus with “one voice.”   The men will be coming together and focusing their prays on the Pastor and People of the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church just as Esther did when she had gathered the Jews of Susa to come together to fast and pray with one voice for the situation they were facing. Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law” (Esther 4:15-16).

Prayer, fasting and keeping the church, families and community lifted up should to be the focus for godly men.  What ever is going on in the lives of the people when the men come together and pray, it can be an awesome thing.

Finally I leave you with this question: How can a man make a difference? Answer: Pray and be obedient to the “Great Commission” Matthew 28:19-20.

Let us pray:

Father, we come lifting up to you the Pastor and people of the Canaan Missionary Baptist Church.  We come thanking you for how you continue to grow and equip them to do your work here and around the world.  Now we come asking that you would give the Pastor your vision for the church and help him to illustrate it to your people. We also ask that you would touch every leader, ministry and the members to see the vision as you have given it to the pastor.  Help us to be a more praying body of believers especially our men.  Be with the men as they come together in prayer. Most of all we come to you praying that we will all be focused on one vision that is your vision, one voice that is your voice and celebrate the victory that you have already won.

In the great name of Jesus Christ,

AMEN.