Becoming like Jesus means that we begin to think like Jesus and to want what He wants. Is being like Jesus your goal?

26 Many seek an audience with a ruler [us with God the Father], but it from the LORD that one gets justice [Petition].
7 The righteous care about justice for the poor [Intercession], but the wicked have no such concern.

To date: Recognition of God’s Character (Adoration), Acknowledgement of Our Character (Confession), and Affirmation of Grace in Christ (Assurance), Expression of Devotion (Thanksgiving). Desire for Aid in Living for God (Petition and Intercession) is next.

Petition is asking God for what we think we want. The good thing is that He already knows what we need and will meet those needs according to His riches in glory. Two verses that confirm this truth are:

⁸ Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him! Matthew 6:8

¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

God is in the business of changing our desires to become like His desires, which is for all people to come to the knowledge of the truth about Him (1 Timothy 2:1-4). If we commit our way to Him and enjoy His company, we are promised that He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). If our desires have become His desires, then we will want what He wants, which is for all to com to the knowledge of the truth about Him. We will become disciplers. In fact, nothing else in life will take precedence over this desire. Our prayers, our conversations, and our actions will all point to this truth.

Intersession, also known as supplication, is asking God to help someone else. This kind of compassion is exactly what Christ has and what He wants us to have. In our journey to be like Him, we learn to have compassion for others. One of the best ways to learn is to do. Asking God to bless others, even if we don’t think they deserve it, and especially if we don’t like them (even justifiably so). Anyone can be transformed, so we treat everyone as potential brothers and sisters in Christ.

Individual prayer is super; corporate prayer has the added factor of being multiplied by how many people are in the service (and participating). When someone is praying for someone else, let’s join in that prayer and add ours to it. It’s important to God and for us. Begin today getting ready for tomorrow and corporate worship.

Abba, I intercede for my readers right now that You would bless them today with a sense of Your presence, participation, power, and protection, and give them progress in their struggle to become just like Jesus. Me, too! Amen.