It is impossible to live a life of abundant faith without a meaningful rhythm of prayer. Although there are a number of methods of prayer, intercession is one of its most fundamental forms. In intercessory prayers we bring our requests to God, but we do more than ask God for what we want. Intercession is an opportunity to ask and listen, to notice how God responds to our desires, and to deepen our relationship with the Lord.

You can find answers to some of the most important questions like How did you learn to pray? Who taught you and what did they teach you about prayer? When have you experienced a meaningful answer to prayer? What's the stupid thing you prayed for? When things go wrong, is your first inclination to pray? Do you really believe prayer makes a difference? In one of the last passages of the early letters to the early church, James passionately encourages the church to pray for ourselves and each other, especially in difficult circumstances.

Intercessory prayer, or praying for others and their intentions, is so important. With so many people asking us for prayer intentions and knowing that the Lord wants us to pray for our brothers and sisters, we know that intercessory prayer is powerful and crucial.

We cannot do God's work in our own strength - it is impossible. As we stand in the gap and cry out to God in prayer, we ask Him to do what only He can do. we must examine our relationship with Him so that we can exercise this critical ministry. And those who respond to the call to intercession come to learn in a deeper way that the sufferings of the present time cannot be compared to the joy that will come as the purposes of God unfold. They learn to trust the Lord, because they have experienced in prayer how infinitely compassionate God is. Intercessors participate in God's magnificent plan to uplift mankind to share in divine life. This insight moves them to engage in spiritual battle against the forces that seek to destroy God's plans. So ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray in union with the mind of God.