In this episode of Kingdom Now with Dr. John Carmichael, we set the foundation for the series “The Ten” by looking at the concept that when considering the Ten Commandments, God wants us to surrender to His authority in our lives despite the times we live in as we trust in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ’s atonement for us.
Every person has things in their life that they care deeply about—family, friends, church, community, and even government. When these aspects of our lives are not as they should be, we long for change. Fortunately, as believers, we have a powerful tool to bring about transformation—intercession.
What Does the Bible Teach About Intercession?
Intercession is a vital component of a believer’s prayer life. The Bible distinguishes between different types of prayer:
Supplication – Simply asking God for something.
Prayer – A broad term encompassing all communication with God.
Giving of Thanks – Expressing gratitude and praise to God.
Intercession – Standing in the gap for others, bringing their needs before God.
Intercession is not just encouraged but commanded in Scripture and modeled by many biblical figures.
Biblical Examples of Intercession
Old Testament Examples
Abraham interceded for Lot and his family (Genesis 18:22-23).
Moses pleaded with God not to destroy Israel. His prayer brought mercy to the people so that the children and young adults could enter the promised land despite the evil choices of their elders. (Numbers 14:5-6, 20).
Samuel interceded for Israel after they repented from idolatry, leading to God’s intervention against the Philistines (1 Samuel 7:5).
Prophets like Amos, Ezekiel, and Elijah also stood as intercessors for the people.
New Testament Examples
Paul prayed for:
The salvation of Israel (Romans 10:1).
A spirit of unity within the church (Romans 15:5-6).
Believers to know God and understand their spiritual inheritance (Ephesians 1:15-23).
Stephen interceded for his enemies as they stoned him (Acts 7:59-60).
Jesus continually intercedes for us at the right hand of God (Romans 8:34). He also prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail (Luke 22:31-32).
How Does This Apply to Us Today?
The Call to Intercede
God commands us to intercede. He is actively looking for those willing to stand in the gap and pray for the needs of others:
Ezekiel 22:30 – God searches for someone to intercede on behalf of the land.
Ezekiel 33:6 – We will be held accountable for failing to intercede when we see danger coming.
Intercession strengthens Christian fellowship and is an antidote for selfishness. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote:
“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.”
The urgency of intercession is also emphasized by Leonard Ravenhill:
“If we had more sleepless nights in prayer, there would be fewer souls to have a sleepless eternal night in hell.”
Taking Action
Intercession is a powerful force for change. We must pray for our families, church, community, and world as believers. By intentionally committing to intercession, we align ourselves with God’s heart and become instruments of His will.
For more information on prayer and intercession, the following books are excellent resources (please note I receive a small commission for books purchased through this blog):
In this episode of Kingdom Now with Dr. John Carmichael, we dive into the powerful story of revival found in Ezra 7:9-10. Discover the essential steps of a Bible revival through the life of Ezra, who set his heart to study, practice, and teach God’s Word. Learn how a deep commitment to Scripture, paired with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, can ignite spiritual renewal in our lives today. Join us as we explore how God’s good hand was upon Ezra—and how it can be upon us when we seek Him wholeheartedly.
Repentance is a key part of the Christian faith—it’s how we make things right with God when we mess up. One of the best examples of true repentance in the Bible is found in Psalm 51, a heartfelt prayer from King David after he committed some serious sins, including adultery and murder. This psalm isn’t just a cry for help; it’s a powerful guide on how to seek forgiveness and find spiritual renewal.
The Story Behind Psalm 51
Psalm 51 was written by King David after he was confronted by the prophet Nathan about his sins. Instead of making excuses, David poured out his heart in this psalm, asking God for mercy and cleansing. This raw and honest prayer shows us that even great leaders can fail, but God’s forgiveness is always available.
What Makes Psalm 51 Special?
This psalm is a song of lament, which means it’s an expression of deep sorrow. David’s words follow a pattern often seen in prayers of repentance: he calls out to God, admits his wrongdoings, asks for forgiveness and promises to live differently.
David’s Big Mistake
David’s sins are recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12. Instead of going to battle with his army, he stayed behind, saw a beautiful woman named Bathsheba, and had sex with her. When she became pregnant, he tried to cover it up, and when that didn’t work, he arranged for her husband to be killed. God sent the prophet Nathan to call David out, and instead of denying it, David admitted his guilt and turned to God for forgiveness.
Powerful Themes in Psalm 51
Psalm 51 teaches us important lessons about repentance and God’s mercy. Here are a few key takeaways:
Admitting Our Wrongs – David doesn’t try to justify what he did. He simply says, “I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me” (Psalm 51:3). We can’t move forward unless we first acknowledge where we went wrong.
Asking for God’s Forgiveness – David knows that only God can truly cleanse him: “Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7). This shows that forgiveness isn’t about making excuses but asking God to purify our hearts.
Transformation and Renewal – David doesn’t just want to be forgiven; he wants a fresh start: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10). True repentance means not just feeling sorry but allowing God to change us.
Applying Psalm 51 to Our Lives
Psalm 51 isn’t just an ancient prayer—it’s a practical guide for us today. Here’s how we can use it in our daily lives:
Be Honest About Our Mistakes – True repentance means admitting mistakes without shifting blame or making excuses.
Trust in God’s Mercy – No matter how big our mistakes are, God is always ready to forgive us when we come to Him with a sincere heart.
Allow God to Change Us – Repentance isn’t just about saying sorry; it’s about letting God shape us into better people who make better choices.
Use Our Stories to Help Others – After repenting, David says he wants to help others turn back to God (Psalm 51:13). Our experiences—both good and bad—can be used to encourage others.
Final Thoughts
Psalm 51 is one of the most powerful examples of repentance in the Bible. It reminds us that everyone makes mistakes, but God’s grace is greater than our failures. If we turn to Him with sincere hearts, He is always willing to forgive, cleanse, and restore us.
· 2024 has been one of my best years. At the same time, dear friends in my life have had one of their most challenging years.
· Whichever the case may be in your life, God says that our best days are still ahead of us. This is not just humanistic positivism but solid Bible fact! Consider:
o [Psa 27:13 NASB95]
o [Rom 8:18 NASB95]
o [Phl 1:19-20 NASB95]
o [Rom 8:26-28 NASB95]
o [Jer 29:11 NASB95]
· Through triumphs or tragedies, wins or losses, laughter or tears, your best days are just ahead of you.
How can Proverbs 4:18 help you to have your best year yet?
Here are two ways you can have your best year yet.
I. Focus on choices.
a. ISBE: The “path” indicates conduct & inward life purpose OR choices you make. Compare to the next verse: [Pro 4:19 NASB95]
b. Your life is a series of choices. God expects us to choose His way. [Deu 30:19-20 NASB95]
c. Choices involve
i. Love God
ii. Love people
iii. Love yourself
d. Choices include
i. What you think
ii. What you do
iii. How you feel
e. Choose to be like Jesus. He did all these things.
i. Pray, read, engage, fast, give.
ii. Engage in church, be purposeful about relationships, forgive, serve.
Rest, forgive yourself, focus on God’s purpose for your life, believe you are loved and have value for being created by God in His image.
II. Expect positive outcomes.
a. Eerdmans: assurance of the success, happiness, and wellbeing which the pursuit of wisdom will bring to those who adhere to its doctrines.
b. God wants us to expect that will get better.
c. 4 Faith Principles – Woman with the issue of blood – [Mar 5:25-34 NASB95]
i. Say what you believe – speak it and write it down
ii. Act like God is going to honor His Word – start making steps.
iii. See yourself with what God is doing – One way is to get control of your mind. Use your anointed imagination. Second way is step into what God is giving to you (resist the grasshopper complex).
iv. Testify about the good things God has done in your life. Tell people about what God had done and is doing your life.
d. Philippians 1:18-21 MSG… And I’m going to keep that celebration going because I know how it’s going to turn out. Through your faithful prayers and the generous response of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, everything he wants to do in and through me will be done. I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don’t expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn’t shut me up; they gave me a platform! Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his prize. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.
e. Keep the celebration going!
God wants you to know that as you pursue Him, your best days are ahead of you.
Tongues: Of God? I Want It! – 5 Reasons To Pray In Tongues
[1Co 14:14-15 NASB95]
Azuza Street Revival brought Baptism with Holy Spirit (with speaking in tongues) into forefront. God used William Seymour and others to facilitate this revival that is still taking place.
According to Pew Research Center and other groups, the Pentecostal church is the fastest growing religion in the world today. Additionally, Dr. Vinson Synan notes that, historically, churches that embrace tongues have grown larger than those churches that rejected it. For example, the “Assemblies of God” has ten times as many members as the “Christian and Missionary Alliance,” which took a “seek not, forbid not” position on tongues. (A. B. Simpson who coined that phrase pastored in Louisville, KY.)
In the U.S., 49% of Pentecostals report that they don’t pray in tongues. Among “charismatics,”1 that figure is 32%. Dr. Francis MacNutt
Jesus said that one of the signs of believers would be they spoke in other tongues.
Is all praying in the Spirit praying in other tongues? Yes and No. I Corinthians 14:14-15 – equates praying in spirit with praying in tongues.
Note: Tongues is the initial physical evidence of Spirit Baptism. Of the 5 mentions 3 specifically mentions tongues (Acts 2:4; 10:45-46; 19:6); 2 infer tongues (Acts 9:17- Paul – I Corinthians 14:18; Acts 8:17-18 Simon saw something)
When I was 14, my response was “if it is of God, I want it” in reference to Spirit Baptism.
The biggest reason to pray with tongues is that is of God.
What are the benefits of praying in the Spirit, particularly in tongues?
The following are five benefits to praying in the Spirit, in particular praying in tongues:
Praying in the Spirit edifies your faith: Jude 20, I Corinthians 14:4
Modern vernacular “charge” like charging a battery.
Many things in this world that try to take away our zeal and strength.
God provided a way for us to keep the fire, maintain the spiritual glow.
Allow the Holy Spirit to pray through you.
You will help others and yourself, but in any event, it builds you; charges you
II. Praying in the Spirit purifies your walk: [Jhn 14:16-17 NASB95]
Howard Carter, who was general supervisor of the Assemblies of God in Great Britain for many years, and founder of the oldest Pentecostal Bible school in the world, pointed out that we must not forget that speaking with other tongues is not only the initial evidence of the Holy Spirit’s infilling, but is a continual experience for the rest of one’s life.
Praying in the Holy Spirit will remind you that you are not alone, He will help you to rise up to become the person God called you to become.
No road rage when police officers around
Allow the Holy Spirit to Help You walk
III. Praying in the Spirit assists your warfare: Ephesians 6:18, I Corinthians 14:2
Part of our praying is warfare praying.
There is a real enemy that is trying to stop the church.
Paul says that when we are engaged in spiritual warfare, we need to pray in the Spirit.
Two ways:
Praying about things you do not know in the natural
Your prayers go directly to God.
IV. Praying in the Spirit expands your worship: I Cor. 14:15, Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16
Paul tells them to Speak to one another, using psalms, hymn and spiritual songs.
When we come together, our worship is magnified as we join with each other.
Their voices encourage us, as we inspire them.
Separation from local assembly deprives a person of this relationship and its strength. Assemble often and praise much.
Psalms: scriptural lyrics in song; hymns: humanly inspired lyrics in song; spiritual songs: impromptu rhythmic lyrics given by the Holy Spirit in tongues
Allow the Holy Spirit to direct your worship: private and public
V. Praying in the Spirit focuses your prayer: Romans 8:26, I Cor. 14:14
P.C. Nelson, a scholar of the Greek, said that the Greek literally reads here, “The Holy Ghost maketh intercession for us in groanings that cannot be uttered in articulate speech.” Articulate speech means our regular kind of speech. He went on to point out how the Greek stresses that this not only includes groanings escaping our lips in prayer, but also praying in other tongues.
Many people pray for and receive from God things that are outside of the will of God. Israel wanted a king, God gave them one, but it was clearly not His will.
Allow the Spirit of God to pray the perfect will of God through your lips.
I Corinthians 14:18, Paul says that he prays in tongues more than all of them. They prayed in tongues, so he must have prayed a lot.If you haven’t committed to spending some time each day praying in tongues, make one now.
