Friendships are an essential part of life and can either bring joy or sorrow. While satan prefers the latter, God's plan is for His people to enjoy godly friendships that honor Him while enhancing their lives. Fortunately, the relationship between Jesus Christ and His disciples teaches a lot about godly friendships and how we can have them.
Despite being the Son of God and receiving respect and reverence from His disciples, Jesus affectionately referred to them as His friends. John 15:15 - I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
These men were ordinary individuals and yet somehow, the Son of God deemed them worthy to be called His friends. Peter was, from all indications, a hot-headed man. Andrew, James, and John were mere fishermen. Matthew was a tax collector - a career that brought disdain because such men were seen as traitors who oppressed their people on behalf of the Roman Empire. Yet, once the Savior chose them to follow Him, all those worldly distinctions ceased to hold any significance. And as they walked with Him faithfully, they became more than just students. They became privy to heavenly insight and had a front-row seat to signs and wonders never seen before. He did not deprive them of the knowledge of God or His word. He made sure they understood God's power, showing them what they could do as long as they had faith.
Jesus wasn't just concerned about their spiritual health, He paid attention to the issues they dealt with in the physical. For instance, there was a time when Peter’s mother-in-law fell ill and was running a fever. He wasn't too busy to take care of the issue. Mark 1:30 tells us that once Jesus was told, He left what He was doing to see her, took her hand, and helped her up (Mark 1:31). She was instantly healed and went on to cater to Him and all the other guests. That He could drop everything to attend to His friend's mother-in-law speaks volumes of how valued His friends. Arguably, He treated them better than His own family, who He refused to speak to when they came looking for Him. Instead, He remained where He was to keep teaching people the word of God (Mark 3:31-34).
Further, Jesus also exhibited godly friendship by praying for His friends. John 17 shows that He interceded on behalf of His disciples. He prayed that they would be united and protected from satan. He didn't stop there but went on to say those same prayers for each person who would ever become His disciple.
Do you see the various ways Christ exhibited godly friendship to others? He called His disciples friends, shared His knowledge with them, addressed the issues that bothered them, and prayed for them. He was loyal to His friends and they believed in Him. He remains loyal to all who are His friends today - those who believe in Him and God the Father. We must emulate these characteristics as we deal with the godly friends placed in our lives by the Lord.
It won't always be easy, people being people they will sometimes do things that disappoint you. Nevertheless, just as Christ was able to pray for and overlook Peter's disloyalty when he denied knowing Him before the crucifixion, we must also forgive and overlook the shortcomings of our godly friends. We must remember that God is gracious with us and extend that same grace to our friends. And, we need to copy Jesus's behavior in how we relate to both Him and the Father. Doing so will strengthen our relationship and take us from servants to being friends with God the way Abraham was (Isaiah 41:8).
See you at Noon EST for Praise & Pray (for others)
CLOSING PRAYER
Praise be unto You Almighty Father, for all You have done in bringing us together today. All glory belongs to You.
Thank You for the opportunity to give You praise and pray for other people. Please be honored, oh Lord.
Cover those who faithfully participated in honoring You this way. Please remember them for doing so. extend Your hand of grace, kindness and mercy to them.
Meet them at their points of need, remembering that they put their desires to the side to stand in the gap for others.
May they be richly blessed by You, IJMN, Amen.
From CMC - Lord, I pray for my friends and loved ones. Please grant them your peace, love and understanding, and please protect them from the evils of this world. Lord, please guide their paths and help them to make the right decisions — choices that will lead them where you want them to be. I pray for their wisdom, protection and safekeeping. In Jesus name, Amen.
Glory be to You Heavenly Father. You are He who created all things and with just a word the world came to be.
Lord, we call on You to once again speak a word for those who are waiting on You for their marital destiny. Lord, guide Your children into Your marital will and purpose for their lives. Father shield them from the counterfeits. I decree that every counterfeit will be blinded just as the Aramean army was blinded when they came looking to attack Prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6).
God, with a word, direct and position Your children for Your perfect will for them (Romans 12:2). That they will join with equally yoked and holy spouses, birth and raise godly offspring, and serve in the ministry of marriage for Your glory and by Your grace, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Father Lord I pray that you continue to take care of people struggling with homelessness and poverty. I pray that you lift them up and place them in favorable places. Help them transition gracefully into better standards of living. I rosy that you surround them with supportive and prayerful people, communities and even churches. I pray that they experience your divine provision and protection IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for myslef and my siblings. Father lord thank you for helping us rest in your peace even when things don't go as planned. Father Lord you are the one that opens one door when another closes. I thank you for taking care of us and watching over us in every way possible. Thank you for your promise in Jeremiah 29:11. Help us to worry less about the future because you have given us one according to that scripture. I pray that you continue to increase us in supernatural wisdom, favour, knowledge, discernment, clarity, strength and understanding. I pray that we will continue to be acceptable living sacrifices in your altar. May we continue to honor you every sungle day of our lives. Our past, oresent and future is in your hands. We submit to you Abba Father. IjMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for countries in the election/campaign season. I pray that you raise leaders that will effect wonderful change in these countries. I pray that you bless them with a sound mind and expand the fruits of the spirit within them. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of citizens to make the right decisions through their votes and support. I pray that you avert any imminent election violence or rigging. IjMN Amen
Father, You have pledged to be not just a father but a good one to all who would let You Father them.
You have been outspoken about Your love for Your sons and daughters and have regaled them with love letters in the Bible. You have called them the apple of Your eye, Your jewels, and so much more.
Thank You for such intense love.
I pray that the weapons used by satan to cause people to forget how precious they are to You, are crushed to dust, IJMN, Amen. I pray that every word spoken over Your children that caused them to forget that they were foreknown and predestined, is destroyed today, IJN, Amen. I pray that every traumatic incident, every act of disloyalty and pain that caused them to close their hearts and refuse to see the love You have for them, is healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ.
Thank You, Jehovah Ropheka. Thank You, Jehovah Rohi. Thank You, the God who saves and loves beyond measure.
Glory be to Your name, Amen!
From M22 - Father Lord I pray for people morning the loss of loved ones. I pray that you accept the souls of their loved ones in your bosom. I pray that you hold their hands and help them as they process their grief. Help them know they can always be vulnerable in your presence. I pray that you fill them up with joy and stabilize them emotionally and mentally as they move forward IJMN Amen
From M22 - Abba Father I pray for countries ravaged by war, famine and bloodshed. I pray that you put an end to the chaos and instability. I pray that their leaders and government receive a sound mind and you help them come to an amicable resolution that puts an end to these activities that do not honor you in any way. Father Lord I pray that you put an end to the instability and help citizens experience your peace, protection and provision moving forward IJMN Amen
Lord, thank You for being our God. Praise be unto You, Ancient of Days. O Magnificent One, we give You all the glory!
Zechariah 10:6 - “I will strengthen Judah and save the tribes of Joseph. I will restore them because I have compassion on them. They will be as though I had not rejected them, for I am the LORD their God and I will answer them.
Heavenly Father, we face an adversary that wants us to not enjoy Your compassion. It wants us to suffer like it does for it has fallen out of Your grace. But praise be onto the Almighty! The One who grants us beautiful grace in Jesus.
Father, I thus pray that Your children will experience the joy of Your compassion. That this will bring Your restoration in their lives. That which the cankerworm and the locust worm stole will be returned and even more by Your grace and to Your glory, IJMN, Amen.
From M22 - Abba Father I want to pray for children across the world. I pray that you continue to shield and preserve them from harm, violence and abuse. I pray that you touch the hearts and minds of their parents, caregivers, teachers and guardians o nourish and nurture them in your ways. I pray that you help them fulfil their destinies and fulfil their kingdom calling and assignments. I pray that whatever is meant for their harm, you turn it around for their good IjMN Amen
Oh, Heavenly Father. Thank You for being Jehovah Rapha. You are the God who heals and I worship You for this greatness. Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Lord, Your word states in Jeremiah 30:17 - But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’ Your word also states in Isaiah 38:16 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again (CEV).
Good God, we know that the enemy wants Your children to fear but Your grace is sufficient to cast down such imaginations and thoughts. And when armed with Your word, we are armed with Your promise, a covenant You cannot break for You are He who cannot lie.
I speak Your word over those looking to You for healing. Lord, You have promised to restore Your people to health and to heal their wounds. As Your people call on You to make them healthy and strong again, I say thank You in advance for Your healing grace upon their lives. Good Lord, You alone shall get the glory for what You have done for them, IJMN, Amen.
From PM -
From M22 - Thank you Abba Father for bringing us together again today. Thank you Father being in our midst always. Thank you for choosing us over and over again. Thank you Father for renewing and strengthening us for your purpose and glory. Thank you Father for standing for us according to your word in Romans 8:31. Thank you Abba Father that even when we are too weak or overwhelmed to today, you gave us the Holy spirit to intercede on our behalf. We thank you that we can also intercede on behalf of others as the Holy Spirit does for us. We bless your name Abba Father IjMN Amen
My life is in the hands of the potter
Take me as your clay,
I surrender to You
Whether in the water or fire
Purify my heart
And I will be Your temple
The dwelling place where You are
I'm honored to be chosen
And called into Your purpose
I will be still
And know that You're with me
This I know (this I know)
This I know
I will be Your temple Ooh-ah
From JIR - I pray for my family and those who identify as Christians but aren’t living as Christians are led to dedicate time everyday to reading the Word of God. I pray that they read it with full understanding and clarity without a veil over their eyes. I pray that God moves their hearts to understand and apply what they learn to their lives. I pray that they grow in their faith and understanding and the more they read the Bible the more it becomes alive to them. I pray that God opens their hearts to receive the truth and they turn away from their old ungodly ways and are changed to live their lives for You, my Lord. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
It is now time to petition the Lord on behalf of others.
You've taken the time to praise and worship and have thus entered His presence as stated in Psalm 100:4. DON'T WASTE THE OPPORTUNITY YOU NOW HAVE.
Put your needs to the side and lift someone else's needs in prayer.
Not sure what to pray about? Have you watched the news recently? Pray about something you saw. Inflation is eating into people's pockets around the world. Violence (hidden and overt) is destroying communities and families.
Pray for godly leadership. Call on God to help those in need. Think of something someone mentioned as a need here in P&P and ask God to do what only He can do.
Sometimes, it might seem like God is answering your prayers for others and not satisfying the desires of your heart as quickly. That just means what you're waiting on will be bigger than you asked for. That's what happened to Jairus (Luke 8).
In essence, you are in good company, especially if you serve as an intercessor. Keep praying for others. Your rewards will surely come and they will surprise you.
It is well.
From M22 - I thought to share this scripture with everyone.
Ecclesiastes 6:9-10 NLT
Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless-like chasing the wind. [10] Everything has already been decided. It was known long ago what each person would be. So there's no use arguing with God about your destiny.
When the pressure rise
I don't worry
Cos I know that God
Is fighting for me
Your goodness keeps me going on
Yes, God!!! The One who fights for me. The One who troubles my troublers. The One who contends with those who contend with me.
Thank You, Lord!
I want to thank You in advance for answered prayers. I thank You for the testimonies to come. I thank You for taking every evil thing and turning it to chaff. I thank You for making a mockery of every evil attack. I thank You for wrapping us in Your arms and saying, "Mine!"