Prayer Journal

Monday, February 16, 2004

Intercessory prayer is an enigma to say the least. Most people don't pray but instead treat prayer like a knee-jerk reaction to the doctor's tap on their knee. Here's what I mean: When a person's sick and the doctors can't help, "who you gonna' call?" When debts threaten to bury you under a pile of fear and intimidation, do you turn to the One who promises to carry half your yoke (load)? And when your kids get into trouble, don't you quickly drop to your knees begging your Heavenly Father to do something about it? Of course you do!

Now, if you're a knee-jerk pray-er you either don't understand prayer or don't believe it works because you obviously don't practice it the way Jesus practiced and taught. Real intercessory prayer occurs in advance, not in retrospect. You may be a pastor, deacon or Sunday school teacher but prayer is not even on your list of priorities if you don't spend substantive time doing it!

One day some men came to Jesus, believing in prayer to the point they acted on their belief. They brought their sick friend to Jesus and when they couldn't get him in through the door, they cut open the roof and lowered him down to Jesus on a mat. Upon seeing the faith of the men who got him there, Jesus healed the man without asking a question. He said it was the faith of those bringing the man that resulted in the answered prayer, not the needs of the sick man. Such is the picture of intercessory prayer - one of the most misunderstood subjects in the Bible.

Reading Leviticus, one should quickly get a picture of substitutionary action. The sacrificial animals were a symbolic substitute for sin and the priest who accepted the sacrifice was a substitute for the one needing forgiveness of sin. Finally, Jesus Christ is the prophetic fulfillment of the atoning animal sacrificial system. How?

As the Lamb of God, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice who was worthy to appeal to God to forgive our sin. He is the propitiation for our sin. He didn't just expiate, or cancel our sin, but instead turned away God's wrath as the Lamb of God by willingly allowing men to take his life on the cross. -1 John 4:10) Jesus is a perfect picture of intercession.

James advised those who need help to find another to intercede on their behalf. He says that the prayer of a righteous man is both powerful and effective even to the point of healing the sick. (Jas 5:16) But, where do you find an intercessory ministry today?

Being a seminary educated and ordained minister is not the answer. Instead, intercessors are men and women of wisdom and faith who are discerners of God's Word. They are fully committed to pray, staying in the right position to be ready to those who need it, regardless of whether someone asks for it or not. Education and recognition are not part of the equation. Where can I find one!

You may never meet a James 5 intercessor before you get to heaven. That's because they don't write books to get attention, hand out cards to generate business or show up on television or radio to promote what they do. Instead they spend time in the presence of God and those whom God directs to them. They also often show up when you don't know where to turn and need a word from God.

Maybe you want to apply for a the position of intercessor. Note that there are plenty of opportunities for service out there and there are only a few people on duty. The rewards are great, but they're held in escrow in heaven for you. Also, don't expect respect or attention for your work. The only encouragement you may receive comes from the Holy Spirit, who comes alongside you to comfort and strengthen you. He leads you to the altar to sacrifice for someone who can't ask or may feel they don't even need help. That my friend is the only reward worth seeking: to serve God and know that what you do is important to Him.

Just Thinkin'... WebServant

1. Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( Lv. 1:1-3:17 Mk. 1:29-2:12 Ps. 35:17-28 Pr. 9:13-18 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society

Copyright © 1998-2004 James R. Green and Prayertower Ministries
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