As I was writing the post, “Prepare and Perfect – Encouragement for the Process” earlier this week, I was reminded of the clear sense of mission Jesus had when he met with the Woman at the Well. When John says that Jesus had to go through Samaria, he is suggesting that Jesus needed to go there to accomplish something – not that it was the only road to get to where He was going. It is this same passion for mission that I want to have in my life as well.

I wrote another post about a “A Mission of Encouragement” last month and this is becoming a theme for me. That most likely means that God is using it as a teaching moment for me – and perhaps you as well. As God continues to bring up the topic of a Mission of Encouragement, He seems to turn it ever so slightly so I can look at it from a different angle each time. This week the angle is intercession – the Encouragement of Prayer.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”

Ephesians 6:18

Throughout Scripture, we are encouraged to pray for:

Each Other

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

James 5:16

Other Believers

“From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”

Colossians 1:9

Our Country (towns, cities, counties, states)

“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”

Jeremiah 29:7

Our Leaders

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

1 Timothy 2:1-2

Unbelievers

“Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”

Romans 10:1

In order to be Intentional about our Mission of the Encouragement of Prayer, we need to have Intentional Strategies for Intercession.

Ideas for Intentional Intercession:

1.Planner Prayer

• Gather favorite verses from friends and family and write them on various days in your planner. Commit to pray for that person on that day when it arrives.
• Write a list of people to encourage and pray for as a part of your weekly planning.
• Assign a different day of the week to different groups to pray for.

2. Prayer Book

• Make a flip book of names and prayer needs on index cards.
• Create a prayer album using photos of people you want to pray for.
• Create a “book” from your Christmas Cards and pray through the families at regular intervals.
• Use the church directory or your address book to pray for others.

3. Prayer Device

• Use a prayer app like Echo.
• Keep a list of people to pray for in the notes on your phone.
• Use the photos on your phone to help you pray for others.
• Pray through your contact list or your followers on social media.

4. Traveling Prayer

• Pray for each house and business you pass as you travel to work each day.
• Pray for your neighbors as you walk, bike, or drive through the neighborhood.
• Pray for towns as you travel through.
• Pray for other passengers on your bus, train, or plane.
• Pray for the people you sit beside at stoplights.

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers.”

1 Thessalonians 1:2