Hey y’all. It may be Monday, but it’s not just another day. Expect to see God move for you today. Now, let’s get into it—the power of prayer and the power of intercessory prayer. Prayer. Changes. Things. We have to get to a point where prayer is our first line of defense before any other outward source. You can’t only pray, hoping to see an outcome or your circumstances shift, because sometimes your prayers are meant to change you. Prayer shifts your heart, your mind, challenges your belief systems, and puts a mirror up to your face; the motives of your heart are exposed. It’ll have you go in praying about someone who wronged you and leave praying for mercy over your own life. The Holy Spirit truly leads us in prayer, helping us even when we don’t know what to say. We’re called to pray humbly, selflessly, fervently, continually, and sincerely. Prayer means nothing if it’s not from the heart. Can God answer a lazy prayer? Of course—He’s that good. But there is power in intentional, deliberate prayer.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power]. “

James 5:16 AMP

Now, let’s talk about intercessory prayer. We need to be mindful of the people God places in our lives, because you never know how their gifts may impact your journey. Elijah prayed, and the rain stopped. The paralyzed man was brought into Jesus’ presence by the faith of four friends. Joseph was betrayed, sold, and imprisoned, yet became the very one God raised up to preserve his betrayers during famine. Be mindful. You could have an Elijah in your circle and not even realize it. You never know what kind of favor or calling is on someone’s life, and just being connected to them might change everything. When I say I pray for my friends, it’s not casual. I mean face down in my prayer closet, crying out to God on their behalf. I can feel the Spirit shift. God will wake you up in the middle of the night to intercede. You might not even know what for, or who, but He will help you pray. God entrusted much to His people in Scripture, and He continues to do so today. Don’t take people for granted. Pray for them. Treat them like the gifts they are. People are not disposable. And some? Some are rare. Handle them with care.

“be unceasing and persistent in prayer; “

1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP