At the beginning of the race I was told by one of my squad leaders that I “have a spirit of intercession”. I have wondered what that means and have begun seeking that out more. Previously, when I heard someone speak or talk about intercession, more specifically intercessory prayer, I was like, that is someone just praying for or stepping in for someone else.
One definition I have come across recently is that intercessory prayer is an extension of the ministry of Jesus Christ through His body, the church, where by we mediate between God and humanity for the purpose of reconciling the world to Him enforcing and establishing the victory of Calvary.
So then Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 2:1 come to mind: “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-” We are told, urged even, to intercede for others and to praying for them. So what does this mean? When you look at it and think about our intercession, through prayer, there is good cause for Paul’s urging us in that.
For God said in Genesis “Let there be….” and there was, He spoke and it came to be. This is important because, there is power in the spoken word. He spoke the heavens and all creation into existence and now we have been made children of God, Co-heirs with Christ and He has given us His Spirit (Romans 8 :16 & 17). We have been given a great Counselor, the Holy Spirit (John 14:16 and 26; Romans 5:5) and have been made a dwelling place for Him (1 Cor. 3:16 and 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16). He has made us heirs and given Himself to us. So, if He who SPOKE the heavens into being has given Himself to us, there is power in our words and in the things we say.
So our words in and through intercession and prayer are powerful. Even with all of that there is more still, look at what God does (Romans 8:26 – 27) “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.” Did you catch that? The Spirit (who is God) prays for us, TO Himself!!!!! I like the way The Message Bible says it “God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That is why we can be so sure that every detail of our lives of love for God is worked into something good.”
In a time where there are so many needs around the world, let alone within our own personal lives, praying for and interceding for others is powerful. I would now like to ask all of you for your intercession and prayers on behalf of my team mates. One of which is struggling with raising money for the trip, even more so than I. Another has just recently lost a grandparent. For our ministry contact as they have a lot of needs, within the church, financially. For the rest of my squad as they go about their ministry this month. As well and more personally for myself. Please be praying for my family back home as my step-mother’s condition has worsened and for the funds to continue on this journey that God has called me to. Be praying for us today as well as we will be leaving to speak at the jail today. Thank you all and God bless.
