It Is WellThe Woman, the Prophet

and the PrayerBy Carolyn Sutton

International Women’s Day of Prayer

General Conference Women’s Ministries Department of SDA

“Pray for your dad!”

(A call to prayer)

God Calls Us to Intercessory Prayer

James 5:16, NIV

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

God Calls Us to Intercessory Prayer

“It is part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not thus ask”

(Great Controversy, 525).

The Woman

• Influential• Noble• Kind• Spiritual• Respectful

The Prophet

• Holy man of God• Preacher• Teacher• Healer• Friend to God and

man

“Let’s make a small room on the roof .

. . .”

Guestroom in Shunem

“Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” —the Shunammite

“You Shall Have a Son.”

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matt. 5:7).

Tragedy in Shunem

Fainting in the Field Dying at Home

Intercessory Prayer Principle #1:

Pray with Faith in God’s Promises

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and

with the full assurance that faith brings. . . . Let us

hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he

who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:22, 23, NIV).

It Shall Be Well

A Journey of Faith

“Faith such as this is needed in the world today—faith that will lay hold on the promises of God's word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears. Faith such

as this connects us closely with Heaven, and brings us strength for

coping with the powers of darkness.”(Prophets and Kings, 157).

A Journey of Faith“Through faith God's children have "subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises. . . turned to flight the armies of the aliens." Hebrews 11:33, 34.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 157,

underlining supplied)

A Journey of Faith

“And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God's purpose for us.” (Prophets and Kings, p. 157).

In which promises

do you put your faith?

John 3:16

Romans 8:28

Jeremiah 29:11

John 14:1-3

Lamentations 3:22, 23

Know Your Promises!

It Is Well!

It Is Well!

Intercessory Prayer Principle #2:

Pray with Perseverance*

*persistence, patience, endurance

“. . . the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James

1:3).

Even when others would try

to discourage you from God-

ordained intercession, persevere!

“ . . . Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking

unto Jesus . . . who endured the cross,

despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne

of God.” (Heb. 12:1-3, NKJV)

Perseverance . . . Patience . . .

Persistence . . . Endurance . . .

Intercessory Prayer Principle #3:

Pray with Holy

Boldness

Let Us Come Boldly

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith

we profess . . . . 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace

to help us in our time of need” (Heb. 4:14, 16, NIV).

Praying, Waiting, Working

From Tragedy to Triumph

“So was the faith of the woman rewarded. Christ,

the great life-giver, restored her son to her. In like

manner will His faithful ones be rewarded when, at His coming, death loses its

sting and the grave is robbed of the victory it has

claimed. Then will He restore to His servants the

children that have been taken from them by death.” (Prophets and Kings, 239)

“Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25, NKJV).

Mere’s Miracle in Fiji

“Were not miracles wrought by Christ and His apostles? The same compassionate Saviour lives today, and He is as willing to listen to the prayer of faith as when He walked visibly among men”

(The Great Controversy, 525).

It is Well . . . with My Soul

As the Shunammite’s prayer became the prophet’s prayer . . . so our prayers become the powerful prayers of Christ, the heavenly Intercessor, before the throne of grace. O, let us never weary of interceding for others— or for ourselves!

It Is WellThe Woman, the Prophet

and the PrayerBy Carolyn Sutton

International Women’s Day of Prayer

General Conference Women’s Ministries Department of SDA