Prayer Lists Are Not A New Thing

The ephod consisted of two pieces, front and back, joined at the shoulders with two shoulder-pieces. The decorative sash was made of the same materials: finely woven linen embroidered with gold and with blue, purple, and scarlet thread, just as the LORD had commanded Moses. They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved. He fastened these stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that the priest represents the people of Israel. All this was done just as the LORD had commanded Moses. [Exodus 39.4-7]

Back in 2022 I wrote Getting and Giving Forgiveness (Priest and King). This describes our role as intercessors. However, today, I want to focus on a small part of the passage above in effort to de-mystify the methodology of intercession.

I want to focus particularly on verse 6:

They mounted the two onyx stones in settings of gold filigree. The stones were engraved with the names of the tribes of Israel, just as a seal is engraved.

Anyone who knows me well, has probably already figured out where this is going. The two onyx stones served as "documents" if you will, upon which a list was recorded. This "list" contained the names of those for whom the priest was responsible before God. I very much believe therefore in the use of prayer lists in interceding for people.

It has become my conviction that we should utilize lists in our daily prayer regime. So, who is it then that we are responsible to pray for? I am glad you asked!

The Apostle Paul taught much about prayer. He actually even answered the question above, "who should we pray for?" below:

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. [1 Timothy 2.1-4]

This passage serves as a humbling reminder that, no matter how broad-reaching a person's prayer life may be, there may indeed still be room for more... Who could ever pray for "all people"? Humanly speaking, it is obviously impossible to pray for all people of the world by name - and especially now with the world population estimated at around 8 billion people (for up-to-date world population Click Here)! This does not preclude however an individual's ability to pray for groups of people as I have disciplined myself to do.

Here are a couple useful links I refer to as prayer lists for the nations of the world: Britannica and Countries of the World. As much as any human can do, praying for these lists provides at least some sense of praying for all people. This is important because God loves the world (John 3.16)!

It needs to be understood that our personal responsibility to pray for people increases with each ring of influence unique to our individual lives. In other words, for most of us, our family is our first and most important ring (circle) of influence, and therefore, our most critical list of people to pray for. It is not difficult then to determine how to form other lists accordingly with each widening circle of influence.

The most important thing to take away from this is that prayer lists are NOT a new thing but, in fact, are found long ago in Biblical history! In the subject passage of this writing, we see our first real example of a list compiled specifically for the purpose of intercession!

Father, help us to see our responsibility to pray for all people. Help us to see the benefit of utilizing lists to do so!