Intercession requires . . .

 

God wants me to look beyond my own problems and pray for the needs of others. MacArthur gives an example in history where psychological clinics had large numbers of neurotics undergoing drug treatments and others attended regularly with personal problems, worries, anxieties, temptations. However, when the Civil War broke out, these clinics were virtually emptied. Those with neurotic issues were ‘cured’ by a greater anxiety; would they lose their homes, their spouses, their children?

I noticed the same thing in the book of Job. He had terrible things happen and complained. However, at the end of his story, the Lord’s anger burned against his friends who had not spoken rightly to this man. God told them to offer a burnt offering for their sin and that Job would pray for them. Job did, his mind off himself and for these who had not encouraged him.

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

I’ve noted the same for my own life. I can fall into a pity-party if I’m in pain, or if things are not the way I want them, but when I pray for others, my problems shrink and become nothing. At the same time, this is often when God meets my needs — when they are put at the bottom of the list or taken off the list entirely.

Today’s devotional reminds me that the Holy Spirit and Jesus both intercede for me:

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26–27)

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

It is Jesus’ goal to transform me into His likeness, so I also need to intercede for others. I read that D. L. Moody put one hundred unsaved people on his prayer list. Before he died, ninety-six of them were saved. The other four were saved at his funeral. This motivated me to pray for others, yet I quickly realized that a long list means time and effort. For this, God keeps urging me and encouraging me to pray. He says:

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him. (1 John 5:14–15)

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3–4)

On this day, my hubby is hoping to share the Gospel with a relative. A dear friend is in hospital with internal pain and a heart attack. Another fell and is recovering from both legs and a broken sternum. Several close friends need work. Many relatives and friends need Jesus, and some of them are into false teaching, cults, spiritual deceptions of all kinds, or have very hard hearts toward anything about Jesus. The list is long and the battle is exhausting — this is not an excuse, just a reality.

PRAY: I already have the list, Jesus. Making time and the effort to pray for all of them is important, but not easy. Help me with the energy and the words, but also the willingness and the love needed to keep at it.

PONDER: Read Philippians 2:1–11 for understanding, not only about my attitude toward others, but to realize the results when Jesus humbled Himself and was obedient. What do I need to do to be: “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication . . . alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”? (Ephesians 6:18)

 

What to do with the sin I see . . .

 

When God reveals the sin in my life to me, I know what I’m supposed to do: “If I confess my sins, He is faithful and just to forgive me my sins and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This is personal; I cannot pray that when I see sin in the life of others, at least the last part. They must see and confess their own sin. But what if they do not see it?

Convicting others of sin is the work of the Holy Spirit. While God instructs us with: “If anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted” (Galatians 6:1) the last part is easy to ignore. We are all in the same boat in this battle against sin. It is too easy to fall into a ‘holier than thou’ attitude when I see sin in someone else. I’m sure this is part of what Jesus had in mind when He said:

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1–5)

Often the things I see in others are simply reflections of what I don’t like in my own life. That ‘log’ keeps me from seeing clearly, from knowing how to help someone else with the same sin. This is a big reason for keeping short accounts with God, for asking Him to:

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23–24)

As Christians, we are to put others first, but not in this case. I must deal with my own issues, or I will not have any right or ability to help others with the same issue. While I can share my problem with them, I’ve no ground to talk about their problem — with them or with anyone else.

Today’s devotional is about the joy of intercession, of praying for others, taking concerns to God rather than stew over them or share my concerns with anyone else. As Paul wrote, I’m to “thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy” (Philippians 1:3–4).

The devotional writer tells of a nurse who used her hands to represent those needing prayer. She knew the joy of praying for others as did Paul. He did what he told his readers to do: “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4). James agreed and wrote this:

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16)

The devotional writer rightly says that lack of Holy Spirit joy debilitates compassion and hinders prayer. I can come to the Lord accusing others of sin, which is something Satan does (see Revelation 12:10) instead of interceding for them, which is what Jesus does.

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)

My prayers and my words ought to be full of praise to God for His goodness to others, as well as for their needs and full of thankfulness for what He is doing, not criticism for what people are doing . . . as if God does not already know all about that. Never forget that Jesus died for those things — rather than shaking a finger at them.

Lord, You show me reflections of myself that bother me. I need to deal with that. You also show me needs in the lives of others. I need to intercede for them. Give me clarity, that I don’t mix the two, get annoyed with Christians who sin, think I am better than they are, or worse yet, gossip with other about what You have revealed to me for intercession, not for any other reason. Thank You for Your unconditional love. Grant me more of that so I may glorify You.

STUDY: Read John 17, Christ’s intercessory prayer for His disciples. What is eternal life? What was Christ’s mission? How does the world react to us? What is the best way to convince people that God sent Jesus?