As I think about the pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, as awesome as that would have been to be a part of, I have something better – I have the Spirit of God in me.

The Israelites left Sukkoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the desert.During the day the Lord went in front of them in a pillar of cloud to show them the way, and during the night he went in front of them in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel night and day.The pillar of cloud was always in front of the people during the day, and the pillar of fire at night. – Exodus 13:20-22 GNT

I look to God and I pray. God leads on by His Spirit in me and He leads me all day long. I do a breath prayer asking Him to keep me in step with His Spirit, not to wander into temptation or disobedience. I ask for His help to keep me pure and holy and to walk in obedience – to Him, His word, His commands. As I do, I trust that He will lead me, guide me, and direct me just as He did for the Israelites as they crossed the desert.

As I talk about the Spirit of God in me there is something greater here. I am lead and guided by His Spirit in me. So He helps me to pray in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, love in the Spirit, serve in the Spirit, and work in the Spirit. Everything I do will be done in, under, and through the leadership of His Spirit in me. God is my reality – may I know it and realise nothing is natural here. This is supernatural. May I give Him all the glory for His loving guidance and leadership of my life. I look to Him to help me make decisions according to His word and His will. I want to think and desire accordingly. So I pray that I may be directed, lead and guided all day.

Will that not open doors for me to pray for others?  By praying for others I am cooperating, aiding, assisting them, turning trials into occasions where there can be thanksgiving offered to God. Am I not sympathizing  with others with deep humility and tenderness as I come alongside others and aid them in prayer?

From such terrible dangers of death^[a] he saved us, and will save us; and we have placed our hope in him that he will save us again,as you help us by means of your prayers for us. So it will be that the many prayers for us will be answered, and God will bless us; and many will raise their voices to him in thanksgiving for us. – 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 GNT

Our hope can come from the favour of God in our lives shown by Him rescuing us from danger. That favour coming directly from the prayers of others on our behalf.

Others who have a deep interest in my welfare directly having assisted me in being rescued from danger and provided relief through their prayers on my behalf.

For that we give thanks to God for our deliverance. We thank those who have prayed us through our trials.

“Mercies that have been obtained by prayer should be acknowledged by praise” – Doddridge

God mercifully interjected into my life in answer to the prayers of others and God cannot be forgotten. If He delivers me, I need to thank Him. If I attain mercies by prayers of others than I return thanks to God for His graciousness and for mercifully stepping into my life.

“Prayer is the way to experience a powerful confidence that God is handling our lives well, that our bad things will turn out for good, our good things cannot be taken from us, and the best things are yet to come.” – Timothy Keller