As I mentioned last week, recently I have been experiencing an increased desire to spend more quality time in prayer, particularly prayer for the advancement of God’s Kingdom in India, and prayer for the specific needs of family and friends, and for you, the pastors and leaders in the Indian Vineyard churches.

Ten years ago, Mark Fields and a group of Vineyard leaders began a series of retreats for the Asian Vineyard leaders including several of us from India.  Through these Soul Care retreats God began to breath new life into my personal devotional prayer life.

I have found it particularly helpful to spend extended time meditating on key passages as God directs, listening for God’s voice.  I close this time, being silent in God’s presence, dwelling on the insight I received from the meditation.

These original Soul Care meetings were the inspiration for the Soul Care meetings which the Indian leaders have been initiating for the Vineyard pastors in Indian the last few years.  Hopefully many of you have been able to attend these gatherings.  The goal is that all of the leaders throughout the Vineyard will be renewed in their personal time alone with God.

Here are some passages that God has been focusing me on since I have been praying about intercessory prayer:

• Elijah’s persistance in praying for rain – (I Kings 18 and James 5: 17 – 18)

• Daniel’s prayer response to a prophetic promise  (Daniel 9: 1 – 3)

• God’s desire to have someone plead for the lost – (Ezekiel 22: 30 – 31)

• Jesus taught his disciples to pray – (Matthew 6: 9 – 13)

• Prayer for workers to be sent out – (Matthew 9: 38)

What are some passages that you would recommend for meditation on the subject of intercessory prayer?