PRAY FOR ME

PRAY FOR ME

(The Teaching Ministry Of Dr. Joel Dabbas)

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32 KJV

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

One of the things we enjoy as saints of God is the ministry of a praying eternal priest. There is an eternal, endless intercession by our Lord Jesus for us. Paul, by revelation, said concerning us and Christ Jesus in Romans 8:34 KJV, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Prayer is the major spiritual engagement in this kingdom. That is why the enemy does everything within his capacity to fight the prayer fire of kingdom men.

There is a rise of certain Christians today with a theology that is anti-praying. But from our anchor text, we see that Jesus is given to praying. One striking thing about our anchor Scripture is also that He prayed for Peter without him knowing. There was a spiritual surveillance that picked the devil's plot on Peter, and Jesus prayed for him. I believe the risen Lord's constant praying ministry is what keeps us standing strong despite the enemy's onslaught.

There are things we can't pick in the spirit; bit Jesus sees all and knows all (Hebrews 4:13). He "nibs it in the board." There are countless battles fought for you on the lips of Jesus that crashed the enemy's system before it was even set up against your life.

Now, why does Jesus pray for us?

I. We are His heartbeat

We are at the center of His heart. His love for us is ageless and endless. Prayer is the love language of the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). So, because He loves you, He prays for you.

II. To preserve His investment in our lives

The most expensive transaction in time and eternity is the payment for our everlasting redemption by His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). He can't invest so much in you and not want to preserve you by covering you in prayer.

III. To keep us in alignment 

1 John 2:1: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Misalignment is the reason for chaflike believers. If the enemy can get a person out alignment especially by the tools of sin and unbelieve that person becomes spiritually weightless and can be blown around by the wind of the devil.

IV. For our safety and security 

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

V. So that we will not be victims of the enemy's attack

Jesus told Peter that the enemy wanted to "sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you" (Luke 22:31-32). The devil's agenda is to waste anyone with a kingdom destiny. Peter was to become the man who would become the rock upon which the church is built. Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand souls were saved (Acts 2:41). Peter brought Tabitha back to life (Acts 9:36-43) and took the Gospel into the Gentile world when he went to meet with Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48).

A man with such heavy-duty kingdom destiny was being plotted against by the enemy, and Christ Jesus prayed for him. I trust the Lord even now that any assault on your kingdom destiny is arrested and squashed. Someone reading this blog right now is meant to be a prophet, an Apostle, a teacher, and so much more, but the enemy has attacked that destiny in you; I call it back now. That divine seed that is under siege comes to life.

VI. To preserve His purpose and plans for our lives

God wants to preserve His plans and purpose for our lives, so He intercedes for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Our lives are not our own; we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Our Response

There is a rhythmical response that happens when our hearts are in sync with the Lord. There is a surge of prayer fire when our Lord is praying for you. Have you ever felt a press in your spirit man to enter into the place of prayer, and you didn't and couldn't place a finger on why you went into the place of prayer?

Do you find certain spiritual connections that just well up, just like that? Do you ever receive instructions on destiny-related matters, especially after praying? It is the heart of God pulling you to Himself and making you stay on course despite everything.

Finally, you feel like praying when all hell is loosed upon you. When Jesus was approaching the time to fulfill His destiny, He prayed (Matthew 26:39). Now, if you feel that prayer push at very defining destiny moments, it is a nudging to partner with our praying priest.

And in such horrible times, you will find strength to overcome. You would come out of such situations with faith unscathed and unshaken. Your faith will be so strong that the devil would wonder why this person hasn't given up (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Today, I encourage you to partner with Jesus, our praying priest. Let there be a rhythmical connection between our Lord and our hearts.

Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Jesus' intercession for you is a game-changer.

Action Steps:

1. Cultivate a deeper prayer life, partnering with Jesus.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where Jesus is interceding for you.

3. Trust in Jesus' prayer for you, especially in challenging times.