Please Intercede!

Horizontal: God and I

We often think that a Pastor or Priest has to go to the Lord to intercede on our behalf to confess or pray for certain things that we are concerned about. God allows us to go to Him though, directly when we want to talk to Him. I am thankful for this! While it is good to let our pastor and other people we know, pray for us, I can directly go to Him anytime I want to and need to!

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:16. NKJV

I like how this verse states that we can come boldly! We don’t have to be afraid to come on our own, to Him! We can and should let other believers, know what we need prayer for, but we should never be afraid to speak to Him ourselves!

The definition of interceding is ” to interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition. (Dictionary.com) To intervene on behalf of another. Also, to reconcile differences between two people or groups, to mediate.”

If we are in a bad legal situation, we might need someone to mediate for us. We need someone to speak, or negotiate a better outcome for us than we can do for ourselves. This is what the Holy Spirit does for us!

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 through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

Romans 8:26-27 NIV

I plead to God the only way I know, with the only words I know to say, but He knows! While I may think I know what is best, based on what I want, God knows what truly is best. He cares not only about my situation, but how to mold my character to be more like Him. My view of the time it should to take to work out a problem, is definitely Not His!

Vertical: Praying for Other People

Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy
Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men.

Oswald Chambers

We should intercede for other people too! Our family has needs, our friends have needs, co-workers and many who lead us in various ways. Our brothers and sisters in Christ need us to pray for them! We can pray when we know of a specific need and when they come to our mind. The Bible tells us to “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), “I urge then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.( 1 Timothy 2:1-2), Galatians 6:2″ carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Areas in which we can pray are:

• Church- Leaders, Salvation, Spiritual Growth
• Missions- Foreign, National, Local
• World Leaders
• Country Leaders
• Sickness- Terminal, Chronic, Currently Ill
• Grief- From Death, Destroyed Relationships
• Marriage, Family
• Friends
• Jobs- Unemployed, Between Jobs, Priorities
• Ourselves- Relationship with God, Family, Priorities

Praying Molds our Character

Earnest intercession will be sure to bring love with it. I do not believe you can hate a man for whom you habitually pray. If you dislike any brother Christian, pray for him doubly, not only for his sake, but for your own, that you may be cured of prejudice and saved from all unkind feeling.

Charles Spurgeon

I find that when I pray for someone, it changes my outlook on them. I find I care more for them than for what upsets me. No longer do I think only of myself, but for the needs that they have. Selfishness on my part, for what I want, is no longer a priority. I want the best for them, not what pleases me alone. My viewpoint changes, especially when I take the time, get the “dislike” out of my mind and I pray for that person.

I challenge you today, to start with allowing God( the Holy Spirit), to intercede in your relationship with Him (Horizontal) when you pray. Next, think of others who you can pray for- (Vertical Relationships) and finally consider how your life will change by not only including prayer, but is guided by prayer.