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Discover the transformative power of intercessory prayer through the story of Samuel and Jonathan.

The Ripple Effect of Intercessory Prayer

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  • Post last modified:July 15, 2024
Samuel, an elderly man, shares a story about the power of intercessory prayer with villagers gathered around him at sunset.
Discover the transformative power of intercessory prayer through the story of Samuel and Jonathan.

Once upon a time, in a peaceful village nestled between rolling hills, there lived a wise elder named Samuel. Samuel was known far and wide for his deep faith and wisdom. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, villagers gathered around him to hear his stories and teachings. This story teaches about intercessory prayer benefits.

 

One evening, Samuel began to share a story about the power of intercessory prayer. He opened his well-worn Bible and read from 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “Here are my directions: Pray much for others; plead for God’s mercy upon them; give thanks for all he is going to do for them. Pray in this way for kings and all others who are in authority over us, or are in places of high responsibility, so that we can live in peace and quietness, spending our time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.”

Samuel closed his Bible and looked at the expectant faces around him. “In a nearby kingdom,” he began, “there lived a humble farmer named Jonathan. Jonathan was a man of prayer. Every morning, as he tended to his fields, he would pray for his family, his neighbors, and even the rulers of his land. He pleaded for God’s mercy upon them and thanked God for the blessings yet to come.”

One day, as Jonathan prayed, he felt a gentle whisper in his heart, encouraging him to pray for the king. The king, known for his harsh rule, seemed an unlikely candidate for Jonathan’s prayers, but he obeyed the whisper. He prayed earnestly for the king’s wisdom, guidance, and a heart softened by God’s love.

As the days turned into weeks, something miraculous began to happen. The king, once known for his stern and unyielding ways, started making decisions that benefited the people. He enacted fair laws, promoted peace, and sought the counsel of wise advisors. The kingdom began to flourish, and the people lived in peace and quietness, spending their time in godly living and thinking much about the Lord.

The villagers in Samuel’s story looked at each other in amazement. They had never considered the profound impact of praying for others, especially those in authority. Samuel continued, “Jonathan’s prayers created a ripple effect. His simple act of intercession brought about change that touched every life in the kingdom.”

“Prayer,” Samuel concluded, “is not just for our own needs. It is a powerful tool that can transform lives and communities. When we pray for others, we invite God’s mercy, wisdom, and peace into their lives. And as 1 Timothy 2:1-2 teaches us, this brings about a world where we can live in harmony, dedicating our lives to godliness.”

As the villagers dispersed, they carried Samuel’s story in their hearts. They began to pray for each other and their leaders, trusting in the power of intercessory prayer to bring about God’s blessings and peace.

And so, the village thrived, bathed in the quiet strength of their prayers, each one contributing to the tapestry of godly living and divine harmony.

In our own lives, we can follow this example, praying for others and trusting in the transformative power of God’s mercy. Our prayers, like Jonathan’s, have the power to change the world, one heartfelt plea at a time.

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Elphas Sipho Mdluli- MBA Areas of Expertise Business Leadership – Operations Leadership – Financial Management – Process Optimisation – Decision Making Stakeholder Engagement – Project Delivery – Organisational Strategy – Relationship Management – Negotiation Skills Strategy Development – Change Management – Relationship Building – Team Empowerment – Performance Improvement Critical Thinking – Systems Thinking – Strategic Planning – People Management – Business Administration Executive Summary As a meticulous, driven and people-oriented professional, Elphas is motivated by ensuring the achievement of organisational goals. He is fuelled by improving business performance, whilst his all-embracing skillset has enabled him to successfully execute projects across various platforms. His career has presented the effective delivery of solutions, leveraging expertise in financial, operations, administrative and business processes, as well as the management of integrated transformational projects. Elphas thrives in complex environments where strong leadership is required to drive business performance. As a highly focused and participative leader who believes in effective teamwork, he prides himself on his innate ability to connect with and lead stakeholders across all levels of an organisation. With a dedication to continuous improvement, Elphas has completed a vast range of courses, including currently completing his Doctor of Business Administration, building upon his MBA, Bachelor of Ministry degree and Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, to mention just a few. Career Summary Elphas has built his career on a strong academic foundation across a diverse range of areas, including accounting, management development, ministry, finance, corporate governance, risk management, behavioural intelligence, leadership and business administration. He is a Business Leader, an Author, a Lecturer and a pillar within his community. His diverse roles have shaped his skillset and his early roles consisted of Chairperson and Senior Pastor for Christian Liberty Centre and Branch Officer for Select Management Services before moving to Sibonelo Savings and Credit Cooperative Society as Accountant, Manager and then General Manager. In 2013 Elphas spearheaded the start-up of Life Solutions Investments, an organisation providing Training & Consultancy as well as leading operations of a Block Yard. He has also been contracted by Calvary College as a part-time Lecturer. In addition, Elphas has written and published numerous books based in business, marriage and spirituality, as well as being Founder and Senior Pastor of the Freedom Centre International Church. As a result of his sharp business acumen, Elphas was offered the role as Executive Manager for Eswatini Association of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (ESASCCO) where he effectively led teams across various departments. He oversaw Administration, Finance, Training, ICT and the Insurance departments. Elphas has consistently excelled in improving performance and has enjoyed many successes throughout his career, which is evident in the success of the organisations in which he is involved. Elphas provides a significant contribution to the long-term sustainable growth through his extensive experience, vast administration knowledge and impeccable business leadership abilities. His implementation skills are forefront in overall strategic development, and his involvement in business ensures ground-breaking improvement in performance. He is a resourceful professional who has a passion for the development of commerce and the progress of human capital within business, ensuring and facilitating significant growth and financial health of an organisation.