Chandller F..U..M..C..
by Linda G. Keeling

Matthew 18:19: Jesus said, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in Heaven."

Prayer intercessors get asked to pray for others' needs and desires. In effect to be the second person in agreement to fulfill the scriptural requirement of two in agreement.

"Will you pray this woman would marry me?"

"Please pray that I get this pay increase."

"Please pray that I might win the lottery."

"Will you pray that this cancer would be healed?"

"Will you pray that God would save my marriage?"

"Please pray that God would send me a friend."

"Please pray for my parents' health."

Prayer requests include fame and glory, more money, power, security, better health, a personal need, or a heart's desire.

It is a joy to be the second person in prayer agreement. But this prayer intercession is a solemn responsibility.

Prayer intercessors know they must be obedient to God. Underlying all petitions they submit to God is the simple heartfelt requirement that their request for this individual and their circumstance be in the will of God.

How do we know the will of God in any given situation or circumstance? There are four methods whereby God reveals his will.

First: Go to the Word of God as revealed in the Old and New Testament. Scriptures reveal God's plan for His chosen and called people, those of the Old Covenant and those of the New Covenant. God has a plan for each and every one of us. If what we pray for is in His plan then He desires it for us and will favor us with His blessing.

Second: Go to the testimony of the faithful. Listen to other believers as they defend and confirm the gospel of Jesus Christ. God's will for us is revealed in that testimony.

Third: Inquire of God what His will is. God reveals His will through dreams, visions, or the Holy Spirit. Test these dreams and visions against Holy scripture to confirm them. God is unchanging. Test the Spirit to make certain it is the spirit of God as revealed by Jesus Christ.

Fourth: Intuition will often reveal God's will for us. Intuition is that inner voice that speaks to us. It is Christ written on our hearts. Trust your intuition but test it by asking the following questions:

Will answered prayer in this situation foster holiness in individuals?

Will answered prayer in this situation make the parties involved more useful to God and more Christ-like?

Will the granting of this petition work for the good of those involved and allow them to do as much good as possible?

Will the granting of this petition glorify God?

Will the granting of this petition place the individuals involved in the way of temptation and make it more difficult for them to follow Christ?

God came to humankind to establish a personal relationship with us. He regards us with favor and blesses us. He bestows undeserved, unmerited gifts upon us. He desires to give us what we need and desire, as long as it does not hurt us and will not harm others. God knows the future and sees the consequences that we cannot see or understand.

Please be a prayer intercessor this week and pray with us that God's will be done in these circumstances:

Terrific Tuesdays youth activities of fishing with Copelands and baking bread at the church; Mission Trip to Kenya, Africa, United Methodist Army preparation and implementation, military persons in harm's way, those mourning, healing, and traveling, those with the following anniversaries:

Darren and Nicole Grant; Ken and Eileen Reid; Richard and Joanne Rabe.

Those with the following birthdays: Jake Langston, Nell Jedlicka, Nancy Crabtree, John Oliver, Onedra Downey, Carolyn Hendrix, Sarah Hays, Ginger Stewart, Christopher Munch.