The “I’s” have it.

Yes, I know it’s spelled “Aye”, as in—

“All those in favor, say Aye!” or “Aye, aye, Captain!”

Here’s a few different “I’s” that I’m using in praying for others which someone else may find helpful:

Interruption – typically, we don’t like these, at least I don’t.  But like it or not, we probably will be gratefully surprised when we find out (in Eternity) how the interruptions were many times God’s fatherly disruption, preventing only He knows what in our lives or in the lives of those we influence.  If I truly believe that He is in control of my time, then the renewed thinking process Paul speaks might make a little more headway (pardon the pun…)

Interception – Let’s be real.  As Christians, we believe in the existence and activity of an unseen world.  Not that I want to give my hellish Opponent too much credit for the stupid decisions that I am very capable of making on my own, but I must rely on God’s angelic “ministers to the saints” working on my behalf.  Pastor L. calls this “proactive preventative prayers”.  Prevention is something that is easily overlooked in our prayers for ourselves and others. 

Interaction – Interaction, not only one-on-one with Jesus Himself, but also through His people, who patiently and persistently present the Good News through both words and actions.  Lord, surround them will Your people who will “not shrink back from declaring anything profitable” to them. (And me!)

Interpretation – My dad refers to “the School of Hard Knocks”.  That pretty well describes life on this side for most of the planet, and who am I to think that I or my loved ones should be exempt?  The key here is how we choose to “see” our life experiences, which determines how we integrate those lessons into our lives (and how they effect the lives of others….’cause it’s not just about ME!)  

Praying for all four of these is a true exercise in faith, especially when seeking these of God for our loved ones, since many of them are not things we can necessarily evaluate in others…until later.  Nevertheless, Truth, like water, has a way of finding the cracks in someone’s life and seeping in quietly and unannounced.  Because He promises that:

It is the same with my word.
    I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
It will accomplish all I want it to,
    and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

And… 

For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” 

 Which means, the “Ayes” have it! 

Isaiah 55:11; 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5:16  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.