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Written by Deanna Brooks, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 
When we think of David, we often think of the shepherd boy… the youngest in the family… who killed Goliath, spent years running from Saul’s anger, became king, took another man’s wife, and had him killed in battle.
There is more to David than those events. There is his heart—a heart devoted to God in constant communication.
Samuel told King Saul in 1 Samuel 13:14 (ESV), “The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart.” This was said when David was still a shepherd, before he slew Goliath. God saw David’s heart.
In 1 Chronicles 17:16, we see David’s HUMILITY. Nathan told David he couldn’t build the temple, but the Lord was building a house for him: a dynasty of kings. “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?“
In Psalm 73, we find a description of David’s relationship with the Father and why Samuel described him as a man after God’s own heart. Additional passages show David’s constant communication with God in various situations:
LOVE and TRUST:
Psalm 18:1, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.”
Psalm 37:3, “Trust in the Lord and do good.”
RECOGNITION for WHO GOD IS:
Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.”
Psalm 19:1, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” The rest of this Psalm continues to proclaim the majesty of God.
Psalm 40 is a prayer of THANKSGIVING for deliverance:
“I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation” (vs. 10).
OVERWHELMED by betrayal:
In Psalm 55, David pours out his heart because of the rebellion of his son Absolom. Ahithophel, one of his thirty mighty men and a trusted advisor, sided with Absolom.
He redeems my soul in safety from the battle that I wage, for many are arrayed against me. God will give ear and humble them… My companion stretched out his hand against his friends; he violated his covenant. His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords… But I will trust in you. (55:18-23)
PROTECTION when fleeing from Absalom:
Psalm 3:3, “But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.”
REFUGE:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea…The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. (Ps. 46:1-2,7)
THANKSGIVING for God’s MERCY:
Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
WORSHIP and PRAISE:
Psalm 106:1-2, “Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever! Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord, or declare all his praise?”
Heartfelt words of REPENTANCE after his sin with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah:
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! … Restore to me the joy of your salvation. (Ps. 51:1-2, 12)
THANKS for ANSWERED PRAYER:
Psalm 116:1, “I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy.”
Psalm 119 is a prayer of GRATITUDE for God’s Word: “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! (vs. 1) Then in verse 11, David gives one of the keys to knowing and doing God’s will, “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Being TRANSPARENT:
Psalm 139 closes with, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (vs. 23-24)
David allowed his life to be an “open book” before the Lord.
The Psalms show how David walked with God in all stages of life. He turns to God as we often do to a close friend who knows all our joys, hurts, and secrets, and that open communication molds David into a man after God’s own heart.
The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (29:13). David’s life is one of seeking relationship with God through constant communication in complete faith and trust. Are you developing your relationship with the Father through regular communication?
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Written by Katie Forbess, President of Iron Rose Sister Ministries Board of Directors in Arkansas 
Many people have taken personality tests that identify their “love language." The five major languages are physical touch, gift giving, quality time, words of affirmation, and acts of service. There are many online resources for people who want to learn more about themselves and how they show love to those around them, whether it is their spouse, their parents, or even strangers they meet from day to day. This is an interesting and helpful way to explore your relationships and how to improve them, while still getting your own needs met. What is cool about intercessory prayer is that it incorporates all of the love languages in the most universal love language of all: Prayer! It’s praying for others and letting God take care of them in ways that you can’t because you are human.
Once you realize that you can let God handle things not only in your own life but in your relationships as well, intercessory prayer can be an empathetic response to other people’s trials as well as celebrations. One of the main purposes of identifying your love language is to create harmony and unity in your relationships. This is also the purpose of intercessory prayer. Unity was one of Christ’s main purposes in coming to earth: living and dying and resurrecting so that God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and those who are in Christ can be one. The key to that unity is love. Love is the glue that holds the intercessory prayer together, as shown in Jesus’ prayer in John 17:23 NIV. “I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
And He continues to pray for this unifying love in verse 26, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”
It is also a way of protecting people, and there are many examples of this in the Bible. In this context, we see how Jesus is praying to protect, praying first for Himself and then His disciples. Then He prays for those in the future who will believe. This is because He is the Bridge and the High Priest between His disciples and God. Therefore, intercessory prayer is a way to unify and protect your loved ones.
An important aspect is that when you pray this way—on behalf of others—you are glorifying Jesus and the Holy Father. This purpose is outlined in verses 1b-3 of John 17.
Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
Intercessory prayer is a way to connect with someone and show them that although you can’t take care of things for them, you know Who can. When you place your hands on someone or hold hands with them to pray, that is physical touch. When you give them the time that it takes for you to pray for them, you not only spend quality time with them but also with God. Jesus knew it was very important to spend time in prayer, especially when He was in His worst situations. He also took the time to explain to His disciples what was going to happen, even if they didn’t yet realize the weight of it. Intercessory prayer is a blessing, which is a form of gift giving. And this kind of prayer is an act of service and definitely words of affirmation because you are looking to the One who will tell you only truths when there are so many lies that others would like you and those close to you to believe.
All in all, when you have a relationship with another, intercessory prayer is a vital and beneficial part of that relationship that will help you grow closer to each other and to God.
How can you focus more on glory, protection and unity in your intercessory prayers?