Intercession

Pray one for another (James 5:16). What a mystery of glory there is in prayer! On the one hand, we see God, in His holiness and love and power, waiting, longing to bless man; on the other, we see sinful man, a worm of the dust, bringing down from God by prayer the very life and love of heaven to dwell in his heart. But the glory of intercession is even greater! Through it a man comes boldly to God to say what he desires for others, and through it he seeks to bring down on one soul—or even on hundreds and thousands—the power of eternal life with all its blessings. Intercession! Would you not say that this is the holiest exercise of our boldness as God’s children, the highest privilege and enjoyment connected with our communion with God? It is the power of being used by God as instruments for His great work of making men His habitation and showing forth His glory. Would you not think that the church would consider this one of the chief means of grace and seek above everything to cultivate in God’s children the power of an unceasing prayerfulness on behalf of the perishing world? Would you not expect that believers would feel what strength there is in unity and what assurance there is that God will certainly “avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him” (Luke 18: 7)? When Christians cease from looking for help in external union and aim at being bound together to the throne of God by an unceasing devotion to Jesus Christ and by an unceasing continuance in supplication for the power of God’s Spirit, the church will put on her beautiful garments and her strength (see Isaiah 52:1) and will overcome the world.” —Andrew Murray

What a privilege it is to intercede for others. And yet, the words “I’ll pray for you” are often a kneejerk response rather than a firm commitment to pray. When it is, we are missing out on a Divine opportunity to connect with the heart of God on a matter of weighty importance and in blessing another with our intercession. First, as we do pray for others, God touches and changes our hearts regarding the person and their need. Second, our prayer offers us the opportunity to develop a deeper connection with the one we pray for. We leave so much of God’s goodness, for us and for the person we’ve promised to pray for, on the table. Let us grow through these encounters; take the matters to prayer and seek the Lord’s face in our intercession. We will both grow and bless others. —DH