Every so often a specific subject or spiritual discipline will seem to place itself front and center on my mind. I'll think about it multiple times throughout the day and it seems to occupy much of my conversation with my husband, who is my God-given sounding board for all of my heart's obsessions!
Recently, the subject that's been on the forefront of my heart is prayer. It's been so strong that I've even contemplated writing a more in-depth Bible Study where I could delve in the discipline of prayer in a greater fashion, but for now I'll tackle the subject right here!
The specific aspect of prayer that I want us to ponder today is intercession. If you're new to the faith or if this is a word that you've never heard before, let me explain it for you. Intercession is the opportunity in your prayer life when you get the privilege of lifting the needs or concerns of someone else before God's throne.
Perhaps this aspect of prayer seems to be heavy on my heart right now because there was a time whenever I felt as if my personal burdens were so heavy that I couldn't muster up enough strength and selflessness to pray for someone else's needs.
Thankfully, during those dark times, many intercessory prayers were offered on my behalf. It was those prayers that my friends and family lifted up to our merciful and loving God that allowed my weak spirit to be restored to fullness of life. It was because of their prayers that I have the opportunity to return the favor to others.
Unfortunately, because of our fallen and selfish nature, the practice of intercessory prayer is something that we have to be deliberate about. It seems to be more natural to unload our personal requests before God, but to lift up the needs of others to God takes intentionality.
Intercessory prayer is truly a gift that you can give someone with or without even knowing what the specific need in their life is. Consider these examples:
Sometimes you will be asked by someone to pray for them, but what shows an even greater sign of spiritual maturity is when you recognize there is a need for prayer even before you've been asked to pray. However, if someone humbles themselves and shares their need for your prayers, you've been given the opportunity to usher their needs before God's throne which is a beautiful privilege.
So, who are some people that you could intentionally offer up some intercessory prayers for?
Are there family members or co-workers that have special needs in their life at this moment?
And, most importantly, who do you know that is lost and living a life without Christ that needs to be prayed to the cross?
I hope you will make the commitment to make intercessory prayer a part of your daily prayer life. Perhaps you need to jot down some names down near your Bible so that you'll be reminded to take that special time to lift up the needs of those around you. Perhaps you need to deliberately ask people, "How can I pray for you today?".
However, if you've read all of this and felt as if you're more in need of intercessory prayer on your behalf than you feel capable of offering prayers for others, then take comfort in this truth. Scripture very beautifully tells us that we have someone interceding on our behalf even when we think no one is.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
You and I are the recipient of the prayers of the Spirit when our hearts are so heavy that we don't even know where to begin. How much more gracious could our God be!
Recently, the subject that's been on the forefront of my heart is prayer. It's been so strong that I've even contemplated writing a more in-depth Bible Study where I could delve in the discipline of prayer in a greater fashion, but for now I'll tackle the subject right here!
The specific aspect of prayer that I want us to ponder today is intercession. If you're new to the faith or if this is a word that you've never heard before, let me explain it for you. Intercession is the opportunity in your prayer life when you get the privilege of lifting the needs or concerns of someone else before God's throne.
Perhaps this aspect of prayer seems to be heavy on my heart right now because there was a time whenever I felt as if my personal burdens were so heavy that I couldn't muster up enough strength and selflessness to pray for someone else's needs.
Thankfully, during those dark times, many intercessory prayers were offered on my behalf. It was those prayers that my friends and family lifted up to our merciful and loving God that allowed my weak spirit to be restored to fullness of life. It was because of their prayers that I have the opportunity to return the favor to others.
Unfortunately, because of our fallen and selfish nature, the practice of intercessory prayer is something that we have to be deliberate about. It seems to be more natural to unload our personal requests before God, but to lift up the needs of others to God takes intentionality.
Intercessory prayer is truly a gift that you can give someone with or without even knowing what the specific need in their life is. Consider these examples:
- You see a young mother struggling to maintain her composure as she deals with her boisterous and out of control toddler in the grocery store . . . an instant opportunity for intercessory prayer.
- You see someone you might not even know very well at church bowing at the altar to pray . . . an opportunity for intercessory prayer on their behalf.
- You hear that a friend or co-worker's marriage is on the rocks . . . an opportunity for intercessory prayer.
- Your normally perky coffee barista or sales clerk has a noticeably down-trodden appearance . . . you have been given an opportunity for intercessory prayer.
Sometimes you will be asked by someone to pray for them, but what shows an even greater sign of spiritual maturity is when you recognize there is a need for prayer even before you've been asked to pray. However, if someone humbles themselves and shares their need for your prayers, you've been given the opportunity to usher their needs before God's throne which is a beautiful privilege.
So, who are some people that you could intentionally offer up some intercessory prayers for?
Are there family members or co-workers that have special needs in their life at this moment?
And, most importantly, who do you know that is lost and living a life without Christ that needs to be prayed to the cross?
I hope you will make the commitment to make intercessory prayer a part of your daily prayer life. Perhaps you need to jot down some names down near your Bible so that you'll be reminded to take that special time to lift up the needs of those around you. Perhaps you need to deliberately ask people, "How can I pray for you today?".
However, if you've read all of this and felt as if you're more in need of intercessory prayer on your behalf than you feel capable of offering prayers for others, then take comfort in this truth. Scripture very beautifully tells us that we have someone interceding on our behalf even when we think no one is.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." Romans 8:26
You and I are the recipient of the prayers of the Spirit when our hearts are so heavy that we don't even know where to begin. How much more gracious could our God be!
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