---
title: "04 - Intercessory Prayer 2019 - By Pastor Jeff Wickwire"
url: "https://books.hardwired.org/27/a-call-to-prayer/245/04-intercessory-prayer-2019-by-pastor-jeff-wickwire"
---

Family Devotion 1: God Blesses, We Pray

Theme: Understanding God's Blessings and the Power of Prayer

Suggested Time: Dinner time or during a family walk

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 16:9a - "For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him."

Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask the kids, "What do you think it means when we say 'God blesses'?" Encourage them to think about blessings in their lives, like family, friends, or even a sunny day.

Prayer Activity: Have each family member think of one person they want to pray for. Take turns praying for that person, asking God to bless them and help them in their needs.

Reflection: Share how praying for others is a way to show love and care, just like God shows His love by blessing us.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think of someone outside the family to pray for, like a friend or teacher. This helps them understand the broader impact of prayer.

Family Devotion 2: Standing in the Gap

Theme: Intercessory Prayer

Suggested Time: Bedtime or during a car ride

Scripture: Ezekiel 22:30 - "I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land..."

Activity:Discussion Starter: Explain what it means to "stand in the gap" for someone. Use a simple analogy, like being a bridge that connects two sides.

Role Play: Have the kids act out being a bridge. One child can be "God," another can be "a friend in need," and the rest can be the "bridge" of prayer.

Prayer Time: Pray together for someone who might need help or is going through a tough time, standing in the gap for them.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach empathy by discussing how others might feel and why they need our prayers.

Family Devotion 3: The Power of Persistent Prayer

Theme: Never Giving Up in Prayer

Suggested Time: Breakfast or while doing chores together

Scripture: Luke 18:1 - "Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up."

Activity:Discussion Starter: Share a story of a time when you kept trying at something and finally succeeded. Ask the kids if they have similar stories.

Prayer Jar: Create a "Prayer Jar" using a jar and some paper. Write down prayer requests and place them in the jar. Each day, pull one out and pray for it.

Reflection: Talk about how God hears our prayers and how important it is to keep praying, even when we don't see immediate answers.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to add to the Prayer Jar whenever they think of someone or something that needs prayer.

Family Devotion 4: Jesus Prays for Us

Theme: Jesus as Our Intercessor

Suggested Time: After school or during snack time

Scripture: Romans 8:34 - "Christ Jesus who died...is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Activity:Discussion Starter: Ask, "Did you know Jesus prays for you?" Discuss how amazing it is that Jesus cares for each of us personally.

Drawing Activity: Have the kids draw a picture of Jesus praying for them. What do they think He might be saying?

Prayer Time: Thank Jesus for praying for us and ask Him to help us pray for others.Parenting Tip: Reinforce the idea that Jesus is always with us and cares deeply about our lives.

Family Devotion 5: Faith in Action

Theme: Faith and Prayer in Action

Suggested Time: During a family game night or while baking together

Scripture: James 5:16b - "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Activity:Discussion Starter: Talk about what it means for prayer to be "powerful and effective." Share examples of answered prayers.

Faith Challenge: Encourage each child to think of one thing they can do this week to show their faith in action, like helping a friend or sharing a kind word.

Prayer Time: Pray together, asking God to help you put your faith into action and to bless your efforts.Parenting Tip: Celebrate small acts of faith and kindness throughout the week to encourage ongoing prayer and action.