Espe Fuentes reflects on the importance of the ministry of intercession and shares some of her experience.
What is intercession?
Since Abraham, intercession, asking on behalf of another, has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God's mercy.
In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints.
In intercession, he who prays looks "not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others", even to the point of praying for those who do him harm. [CCC 2635]
Precedents In Scripture
“While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him.” Acts 12:5 [NRSV]
“Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains.” Eph 6:18-20 [NRSV]
How should we approach Intercession today?
Having a list of prayers is good. God doesn't mind us bringing our list to Him. There are things we need to pray for regularly, such as protection and blessing, the removal of obstacles and the life of the Church.
However, we should not forget that God has a list of things that He would wish for us too.
That list might even be more important than our own list!
Therefore we should ask ourselves, what is in the mind of God? What does God want me to pray for?
If you put yourself at God's disposal He will prompt you to pray.
You may be reminded of someone, or a situation will come into your mind. He may give you a prophetic word or picture.
Now it may be that people or situations come into your mind simply because you are distracted or it may be that the Lord wants you to pray for that person or that situation.
If you are not clear whether the promptings are from the Lord, pray anyway!
The worst thing that can happen is that you use some of your prayer time praying for someone you didn't plan to pray for.
The Lord honours all your prayers.
Over time you will recognise when it is the Lord who is prompting the prayer intentions that come to you.
You may even find yourself weeping for this particular cause or person.
The question then is what to pray for.
Sometimes it is clear what to pray for but sometimes it takes a while to work out. In this situation, if we have received the Gift of Tongues, we can trust that the Holy Spirit will pray the Father's prayer through us.
When we allow our Intercession to be led in the Spirit, we call this Prophetic Intercession.
If the Lord gives you a prophetic word or picture it is important to pray into that prophecy with authority, to call into being the thing that the Lord is placing in your heart.
It is amazing to think that the Lord wants to entrust us in this way with the work of bringing about His will in the world.
“See I am doing a new thing”: A word for CCR
The word "See I am doing a new thing" (Isaiah 43:19) has come up several times in prayer meetings recently.
It seems that the Lord has been preparing us. But what is this new thing?
My feeling is that the Lord is preparing us for unity with our brothers and sisters.
Unity despite differences and pain, and what has gone on before. This unity can only be achieved in humility.
I think that the work we are to do requires us to be ready in the Spirit; that means maturing in the spiritual things, letting go of the things that hinder us.
The word I received for CCR was, "You good and faithful servant," but this was followed by a second part "I have trusted you with small things, now I will give you bigger jobs."
This is a very encouraging message to us. The Lord is going to trust us with more. Perhaps we feel like we have done enough and we are ready for a rest.
Well, at a celebration of 20 years of Celebrate this Spring the words "moving to the next gear" were delivered to us.
The interpretation was that if we move up a gear, we are more efficient and achieve more without the need to expend any extra energy.
We are at the next level. This should sort out any issues with feeling we need a rest.
Be aware though, that if you are going to pray for the mind and heart of God for His people, you are sticking your neck out.
Wear the right gear for the job you are doing. You don't get on a motorbike without a helmet and leather jacket, not because it is the cool thing to wear, but because if you come off it may save your life.
Do the same in the spiritual battle. Be prepared – put on the armour before you go into battle (Ephesians 6).
I would like to encourage you to be bold in your prayer. The mind of God is not small.
You only have to look around you at the world He created, or watch a nature programme, or watch Louie Giglio talking about the universe (check out his video “Indescribable” on YouTube).
If the mind of God is not small, don't be small in your prayers.
In your God-led prayers think big. God normally does.
And even if you overstretch your prayers, all it shows is that you have confidence in your loving Father.
So be bold.
Espe distributes the Network for Intercession Newsletter. The Network exists to intercede for the work of the English National Service Committee. If you want to know more please email Espe at: networkforintercession@gmail.com
Kommentare