Here is an encouragement to pray for others with a cheerful heart: this kind of prayer is the sweetest music to God's ears. Why? Because this is exactly how Christ prays.

Right now, as our Great High Priest fills the golden censer with incense, there is not a single grain in it for himself. Every particle rises for others. His intercession must be the most beautiful prayer heaven receives. And the more our prayers resemble his, the sweeter they become.

Yes, God accepts our prayers for ourselves. But our prayers for others? These carry more of the Spirit's fruit. More love. More faith. More brotherly kindness. Through the precious merit of Jesus, these prayers become the sweetest offering we can bring to God. The very best of our sacrifice.

And remember this: intercessory prayer is exceedingly powerful. What wonders it has accomplished! Scripture teems with its mighty deeds. Believer, you hold a powerful engine in your hands. Use it well. Use it constantly. Use it with faith. You will surely become a blessing to your brothers and sisters.

When you have the King's ear, speak to him about the suffering members of his body. When you draw near to his throne and the King says, "Ask, and I will give you whatever you want," don't let your requests be for yourself alone. Plead for the many who desperately need his help.

Listen. If you have any grace at all and you're not praying for others, that grace must be as tiny as a mustard seed. You have just enough grace to keep your own soul from sinking in the quicksand. But deep floods of grace? No. If you had those, your joyful ship would carry a heavy cargo of other people's needs. And you would return from your Lord loaded down with rich blessings for them—blessings they might never receive without your prayers.

"Oh, let my hands forget their skill, My tongue be silent, cold, and still, This bounding heart forget to beat, If I forget the mercy seat!"