hanks Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? They needed God’s mercy to reveal the king’s dream. Daniel recognized the situation he was in and his own inability to know the dream and then even to interpret it properly. So they turned in confidence to the Lord, expecting Him to meet their need. Intercessory prayer is not only important but also very effective. It is expected of all believers as we read in 1 Timothy 2:1-3. It is especially for the sick that we should intercede (James 5:14). In Scripture we read that the Holy Spirit, Jesus, and believers intercede for mankind. For example, in Romans 8:26-27 we see that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf and in Romans 8:34, Jesus intercedes for us. Fortunately, in my local church we have an active prayer chain interceding for those in need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lighthouse2014 Posted September 23, 2015 Report Share Posted September 23, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to “plead for mercy”? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel ask his friends for intercessory prayer to God so that the Lord would have mercy upon them by revealing to him the King's dream and it's interpretation. According to scripture intercessory prayer is important because it helps to have others praying for the Lord's help in some desperate situations. Indeed intercessory is important, even if we prayer for healing or an answer to a dilemma in our life. Sometimes the more people we have praying in our behalf sends up perhaps a louder cry to heaven. Even in the old testament Jesus tells us where two or more are gathered in my name, I am there. We have intercessory prayer in our church and use this prayer for those in situations of healing's, financial purposes, marriage, church decisions and many other situation's that require an almost immediate answer from the Lord. For these prayer's we normally use a prayer team, elders of the church and some who have a special gift for this mediator type intercessory prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrayingMan Posted September 24, 2015 Report Share Posted September 24, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to “plead for mercy”? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? There is a time for prayer and a time to act. Daniel saw the immediate need to save his friends, although, knowing Daniel's reputation, he did a lot of praying too as he sought his God. Daniel exercised intercessory prayer often as was his custom and his relationship with God. The New Testament calls us to intercessory prayer as we "stand in the gap" for others. God does respond to the prayers of His people. We implement intercessory prayer on prayer chains, prayer meetings and even on Sunday morning during worship as we bring the needs of others before the Lord. Intercessory prayer is crucial to God's work in our world and in our churches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Celestina33 Posted September 25, 2015 Report Share Posted September 25, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? I think Daniel knows that they are insignificant compared to God yet He is merciful and just and gracious and if He so chooses, He can reveal the dream to Daniel. Daniel's friends pray on behalf of him but also to spare their own lives. Prayer, regardless of the answer, can be such a powerful testimony to others. When I think of implementing prayer in the church, I think of individuals. Some who are called to pray with others openly, others who are called to pray in the closet in secret. God honors both, depending on your heart and motive. ~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ducminh Posted September 26, 2015 Report Share Posted September 26, 2015 Jesus Christ has said, "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three have come together in my name, I am there among them." (Mathew 18:19-20) This is the most known instruction for Christians to pray together. In the Old Testament, we also have the following instructions: 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Certainly, the intercession of prayer of more than one person is the life of the Body of Christ. It shows the union, the strength and the livelihood of the church. But I believe it is too often that the majority of Christians have misunderstood the conditions of praying together for God to answer to their prayer. Many prayers have gone unanswered because those who have come to pray do not agree together about the request, or they are not truly in union with each other, or some of them have doubt about their faith and the power of God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charisbarak Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 Prayer is needed (2 or 3 are gathered) and much power. Their lives were at stake Yes intercessory prayer is very important. We need to intercede for our brothers & sisters. Yes it is effective. God sees our hearts as we pray for His will. email prayer ministry, women's ministry, different prayer groups for missionaries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Jerry Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 Daniel asks his friends to “plead for mercy” because he knows that the more prayers that go up to God the more likely that God will answer them in the way that we want Him to. According to Scripture intercessory prayer if very important. James tells us to call the elders to pray for you if you are sick. Intercessory prayer if very effective. I think that most churches have implemented intercessory prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moises Percu Posted September 28, 2015 Report Share Posted September 28, 2015 Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Because the mistery could be revealed only by the Lord. If HE would be mercifeul, HE would reveal them the king's dream and their lives would be spared. Intercessory prayer is very important in Bible. Esdras prayed for the Jews returning from exile. Daniel interceeded for his people while reading the Book of Jeremiah. Jesus prayed for HIS apostles. For sure these prayers are effective. Our churches need to return to Bible teachings. This way, our churches will implement intercessory prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parkerslope Posted September 29, 2015 Report Share Posted September 29, 2015 Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? The King had issued a law, saying that all "magician" were to be killed. Even Daniel and his friends were included in the roundup of people to die. Daniel wanted God to give them mercy to live and help others. According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Yes, intercessory prayer is important because it is issued on behalf of important events, asking for God's guidance in the decisions that are made. Is it effective? Yes, it shows that we are God's people and that we trust His judgment. How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? By teaching that intercessory prayer is necessary to get God involved with the decisions made. We need intercessory prayer in presidential elections and the setting aside of church leaders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joy irowa Posted September 30, 2015 Report Share Posted September 30, 2015 Daniel asked his friends to plead for mercy so they might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of babylon yes, it is important as we were commanded to pray for one another yes, very effective, if not Jesus our example would not in John 17, Jesus interceded for all belivers also in Romans 8:34 He is still interceeding. it can be implemented by a group of persons or the whole church standing in gap during the service Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbiemac Posted October 1, 2015 Report Share Posted October 1, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel and his friends prayed so that they wouldn't be killed. Prayer changes, the fervent effective prayer of a righteous person changes things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted October 3, 2015 Report Share Posted October 3, 2015 Daniel and his friends, though innocent and uninvolved, were numbered in the group of untrustworthy advisers that the king ordered to be killed. (These advisers relied on pagan gods and occult practices to gain their insight, which could never reveal reliable truth and understanding.) The king was angry, made an impossible demand, and would show no mercy. Yahweh was the only One who could reveal the king's dream to Daniel with interpretation, which would give them favor and pardon from death. Daniel asked that his friends unite with him in praying to their God for this wisdom and mercy. He needed their strength of faith and prayer to bolster his own, and it was certainly true that they would all be affected by God's answer! It seems that God is especially pleased and moved by intercessors who are willing to take on the burdens of another and “stand in the gap” for someone who is unable to bear up alone before God in that moment. That could be a person who has no faith, or weak faith, or is entrapped in deception, or is in danger, or is too sick or wounded to pray for self. Sometimes He is seeking even just one intercessor whose prayer for intervention can be honored (Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 59:16). How convicting! Imagine God standing ready to act if just one warrior will unselfishly sacrifice self for another – but unbelievably, there is no one. No one to offer the prayer He wants and waits to answer. The Body of Christ is called to this same kind of prayer intercession for each other. James 6:14 is the classic example of praying together for one who needs healing. In the Spirit, we are united into one body and we're called to sacrifice self, think beyond ourselves, and invest in the highest good and best interests for that body. Spirit-led intercessory prayer is effective and it is powerful, as we pray for others according to the mind, will, and heart of God. Father is waiting for someone to rightly pray and expect His perfect response so that He is free to release the answer He desires to give! Only He knows what has gone unanswered in the lives of people who just needed someone to help represent them before God when they couldn't do it alone for themselves – unanswered because no one ever stood in the gap to ask on their behalf. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MsStreet Posted October 6, 2015 Report Share Posted October 6, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to “plead for mercy”? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniels plea for mercy was a plea to God so that their lives may be spared upon the order of the king to kill all the wise men because they weren't able to tell him what his dream was about and to interpret it as well. Daniel called upon his friends to pray fervently upon God so that he may intercede and stop the plan of Nebuchadnezzar to have all the wise men as well as Daniel and his friends killed. By pleading and praying they were able to communicate to God, who then answered their prayers and gave Daniel the ability to interpret the kings dream. According to scripture, the bible says "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Mathew 21:22) Not only is it important, it its effective. However, one must have the faith and believe with their whole heart in order for their prayers are to be heard. I cannot in all honesty say I haven't been in a church that has not implemented intercessory prayer in their services. As to how it can be implemented in other churches would depend upon the congregation or the pastor of the church. However, as an individual I would personally pray on it myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel was at a crisis point. Imagine going to see the powerful, temperamental king who had just angrily ordered your death! Daniel did not shrink back in fear, however, but confidently believed God would tell him all the king wanted to know. When the king gave Daniel time to find the answer, Daniel found his three friends and they prayed. When you find yourself in a tight spot, share your needs with trusted friends who also believe in God’s power. Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. Daniel’s trust in God saved not only himself but also his three friends and all the other wise men of Babylon. We can implement intercessory prayer by forming prayer groups in church or in home groups setting yourselves apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elizabeth kerr Posted October 8, 2015 Report Share Posted October 8, 2015 I think that although Daniel and his friends's depended on God giving Daniel the content and interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar's dream, they knew that Babylon's conquering Judah and their being taken captive and transported to Babylon as slaves to the king was God's punishment for Judah's sins ... and their deaths might be a part of that punishment; so, they knew that God might not grant their request. However, they knew that God could tell Daniel what the king had dreamed and what it meant, even if He chose not to, and so, they prayed to Him with their request. They worshipped Him as the one true God whether or not He did as they asked. They knew that their fervency in prayer, their righteousness, their faithfulness, their persistence, and their number did not guarantee that God would grant their prayed-for deliverance from execution; we cannot manipulate God to make Him answer our prayers our way. He answers the way He wants, and His answer is always the best for us. So, if God had not told Daniel the king's dream and its interpretation, it would have been because the best thing for Daniel and his friends was for them not to know and because God either had another plan for delivering them from execution or knew that their dying at that time was the best for them. Jesus prayed for His disciples in John 17 and other passages in the Bible either command believers to pray for others or give examples of them doing so. So, we should be praying for others, both for believers and for nonbelievers. Prayer is effective not because God does what we ask (many times He says NO!!!) but because it is one of the means God uses to transform us to make our thoughts, emotions, attitudes, desires, words, and actions conform to His, to make us more and more like Jesus Christ. Thus, He enables us to endure the hard times, remaining faithful to Jesus through the end. Today, many Christians are being persecuted for their faith in Jesus; we and they may pray for the persecution to come to an end, but God is saying NO. However, I have heard story after story of persecuted Christians proclaiming their faithin Jesus as they were tortured and even being executed. Their prayers were effective; God delivered them from persecution by taking them from this life to a better life in paradise. God always answers our prayers His way, which is the best way, in His time, which is the right time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stanley Tavaziva Posted October 11, 2015 Report Share Posted October 11, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel was at a crisis point. Imagine going to see the powerful, temperamental king who had just angrily ordered your death! Daniel did not shrink back in fear, however, but confidently believed God would tell him all the king wanted to know. When the king gave Daniel time to find the answer, Daniel found his three friends and they prayed. When you find yourself in a tight spot, share your needs with trusted friends who also believe in God’s power. Prayer is more effective than panic. Panic confirms your hopelessness; prayer confirms your hope in God. Daniel’s trust in God saved not only himself but also his three friends and all the other wise men of Babylon. At our church we have men and women who are prayerful and lead intercessory team for the church. These are voluteers from the congegation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frangena Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Q1. Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? The king has issued an order that all wise men of Babylon should be killed because they failed to tell him what his dream was and what it meant. Daniel felt obliged to try to save them together with his friends. He depended on God and not on his own wisdom. So, he humbly requested the king to allow him to go and have a discussion with his God and then he will come and tell him about his dream. Daniel trusted his God. Daniel had faith in his God. He knew that Jehovah was with them always. He, therefore, asked his three friends to intercede about this difficult problematic issue of the king. They needed divine intervention because no human being could guess what another person dreamt of. Scriptures tell us about many incidents where intercession prayer was used. Jesus Christ Himself prayed for his disciples in John 17. He prayed for all other people who will hear the gospel through the disciples. Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites when they misbehaved in the dessert. We are instructed to pray for the sick in the letter written by James. Intercessory prayer is definitely very important and very effective, especially when it is said by people who have deep faith and who depend on God and know that God's timing is not ours. At our church we have formed a prayer group that has a list of vital issues to be prayed for. We use our cell phones to communicate and we try by all means to pray almost at the same time every evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frangena Posted October 12, 2015 Report Share Posted October 12, 2015 Q1. Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? The king has issued an order that all wise men of Babylon should be killed because they failed to tell him what his dream was and what it meant. Daniel felt obliged to try to save them together with his friends. He depended on God and not on his own wisdom. So, he humbly requested the king to allow him to go and have a discussion with his God and then he will come and tell him about his dream. Daniel trusted his God. Daniel had faith in his God. He knew that Jehovah was with them always. He, therefore, asked his three friends to intercede about this difficult problematic issue of the king. They needed divine intervention because no human being could guess what another person dreamt of. Scriptures tell us about many incidents where intercession prayer was used. Jesus Christ Himself prayed for his disciples in John 17. He prayed for all other people who will hear the gospel through the disciples. Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites when they misbehaved in the dessert. We are instructed to pray for the sick in the letter written by James. Intercessory prayer is definitely very important and very effective, especially when it is said by people who have deep faith and who depend on God and know that God's timing is not ours. At our church we have formed a prayer group that has a list of vital issues to be prayed for. We use our cell phones to communicate and we try by all means to pray almost at the same time every evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel was under the sentence of death. NO one but God could save him. If we don't ask God He cannot answer. He desires to answer our prayers. Jeremiah 33:3 is a good example of this. Intercessory prayer is very important and effective as shown in the prayers by Daniel and his friends. I believe God loves to see the His people showing their love to one another by intercessory prayer and our unity under His leadership. How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? The people must be willing to be bothered, to interrupt our busyness and consider it as top priority. God Bless! Jen Romans 15:13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Commissioned Posted October 14, 2015 Report Share Posted October 14, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to “plead for mercy”? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel enlisted his friends to "plead for mercy" because it is God alone who can touch the heart of man, it is God alone who can give them the dream and the interpretation. So they interceded. According to Scripture, intercessory prayer is important. Jesus taught in Matthew 18:20, " For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Jesus' presence always brings a blessing. The apostle James admonished to call the elders to pray for the sick. They will intercede for the sick and he shall recover. Intercessory praying is scriptural and it is effective. As the church follows the teachings of the Scriptures they will enter into and maintain Intercessory praying as a part of the ministry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
royk Posted October 21, 2015 Report Share Posted October 21, 2015 Q1. (Daniel 2:17-18) Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? This is a great teaching question! We know how the story will end if we have ever read Daniel before. So clearly, we learn that praying for others in something we need to do. Long ago, we implemented an intercessory prayer ministry in our church. These people have a strong spiritual presence and a joy about live. Discussing with church elders or the pastor on doing this, is necessary, if your church doesn't yet do it. We must pray solo for awhile before going to ask about it to elders. Any church is a "body" led by its leaders. If for some reason they have not done this yet, we'd need to prayerfully seek them out after weeks of prayer and meditation Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda bass Posted November 9, 2015 Report Share Posted November 9, 2015 Daniel asks his friends to "plead for mercy" because he doesn't want them to be put to death along with the rest of the king's wisemen. According to scripture intercessory prayer is important because God wants us to stand in the gap and bring our petitions on behalf of others before Him. Intercessory is not only important, but vital. In the Old Testament Moses interceded for the rest of the Israelites after God threatened to wipe them out after they had made the golden calf. In the New Testament Peter was set free from prison by an angel because of the intercessory prayers of a group of believers. We can implement intercessory prayer in our churches by gathering together to pray corporately and by making prayer one of the important ministries of the church. The members of the church I attend gather for prayer every other Sunday evening. During the summer months, we meet for prayer on Wednesday evenings. We also get an e-mail once a week with any updated prayer requests plus any updates on previous prayer needs. We also have a few elderly ladies one can phone for any emergency prayer needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lionwolf Posted October 29, 2016 Report Share Posted October 29, 2016 Why does Daniel ask his friends to "plead for mercy"? According to Scripture, is intercessory prayer important? Is it effective? How can we implement intercessory prayer in our churches? Daniel asks his friends to "plead for mercy" regarding the mystery to escape execution. Daniel realized that both knowing and interpreting the dream was a way to not only escape punishment but also showing the greatness of God. Intercessory prayer is important and effective. The Bible is replete with God answering intercessory prayer. Most, if not all, Christian churches have implemented intercessory prayer as part of their daily ministry. Prayer requests are a good example of intercessory prayer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clelie Posted July 24 Report Share Posted July 24 Daniel asked his friends to plead for mercy from God so he could interpret the dream of Nebuchadnezzar they that they wouldn’t die by the order of the king Intercessory prayers are important and effective . Example of Moses pleading God not to destroy the people who displeased Him while they were on the way to the promised land . Pastors and leaders should teach the importance of intercessory prayers in the church , giving many examples from Scriptures . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krissi Posted August 9 Report Share Posted August 9 I love this part of the story because there's no ambiguity or doubt that God provided the information Daniel needed to survive. Without God's direct intervention and without God directly answering Daniel's prayer for specific information, Daniel would be dead. It was clear to the boys that they were utterly dependent on God to rescue them. Thus, they asked for mercy because they knew God didn't have to intervene, though mercifully chose to do so. When it was absolutely necessary for God to speak clearly to Daniel, he heard God's voice and knew what God was saying. God gave Daniel, somehow, the dream of another man. I don't know how Daniel heard from God or how God chose to communicate but the story is clear that God directly communicated to Daniel the information he needed. For me, this is hope-producing. So many martyrs both in the Bible and afterward did NOT get the direct communication from God on how to survive. Perhaps their situations were different ... perhaps God had different plans. But in this story, at least, God mercifully gives Daniel the information he needs to prevent his own martyrdom. Intercessory prayer is, of course, very important, but the story isn't clear that it was prayer that saved Daniel and his friends. God may have resolved to do so before prayer. Some Christians believe prayer "unlocks" God's will, that God somehow needs our cooperation in prayer. This may be the case at times but God also works unilaterally in ways beyond us and before we pray. He also chooses not to answer certain prayers ... to answer "no." Some claim they have the "gift" of being an intercessor. I do not believe this is a gift because all of us become intercessors when we love others enough to pray for them. Perhaps some people's prayers are more efficacious -- answered quickly and affirmatively -- but I'm not sure this is true, either. God hears all our prayers for others. How He answers them is His choice alone and a mystery to us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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