Pastor's pen 15th November 2015

On behalf of those others who are precious to God

There is no book written that can compare with the scriptures we have received and know as the Holy Bible. Yet I have been enormously challenged and encouraged by a pastor who wrote a series of books over 100 years ago on the hugely important topic of prayer. That pastor’s name was Andrew Murray and his writings give insight into a Spirit –filled spirituality that experienced the power of a life given to prayer. In one of these volumes Murray focuses on the particular call of prayer as “Intercession”. He writes, “…we have far too little conception of the place that intercession, as distinguished from prayer for ourselves, ought to have in the church and in the Christian life. In intercession, our King upon the throne finds His highest glory…Through it He continues His saving work…”(Ministry of Intercession)

The term “Intercession” is not common. But it may be defined as, “(1) an acting on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble.  (2) a prayerful request to God on behalf of another or others” (Macquarie Dictionary). We mustn’t hold back from bringing all of our own needs and requests to God, but neither should we become so self-focussed that we miss the heart of God that is intent on reaching out to rescue the lost. When we see the brokenness and hopelessness of those around us who do not have an intimate experience of God, we are compelled to bring them before God in prayer. They are in trouble, and sadly they are often unaware of just how much trouble they are really in. They are slipping towards eternal separation from God and unable to seek Him from their own place of spiritual darkness. That’s what makes our prayers on their behalf (our intercessions) so important and so powerful. And God wants to use us in rescuing the lost.

I believe we need to think about getting out of our homes and walking the streets of our town, praying for our neighbours. Thinking about the people we will be meeting with working with or interacting with through our day and bring them before God’s throne of mercy. We have a God given role in seeing the hearts of these people opened to the truth of Jesus Christ, and putting their trust in Him. While we may have opportunity to witness to them about the God we know, it all starts with prayer. As Murray points out many Christians are “working” with very little fruit because of the lack of prayer, but we are called to exercise our God-given position and bring down the blessings of heaven to earth in intercessory prayer.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9-10)