INTERCESSORY PRAYER

"Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Timothy 2:1-4).

Devotion 1 of 17

INTRODUCTION

In its essence, prayer is communication between God and people; particularly those in covenant with Him. God has heard the prayers of people that were not yet in covenantal relation to Him; such as the Gentile, Cornelius. Before he heard and obeyed the Gospel, an angel was sent from heaven to tell him his prayers had come up as a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). Scripture does not apprize us of the substance of Cornelius' prayers. However, in view of the events that followed them, it is sure that He was seeking the Lord in his supplications. His quest for the Lord Himself constrained his prayers. Even then, they were come up as a "memorial" before God; that is, the Lord remembered them. That is not the language of spiritual intimacy, but of spiritual potential. Prayer goes much further than the experience of Cornelius prior to his conversion. Those related to God through Christ and in the Spirit have recourse to the Throne of the universe! The appropriation of salvation is the threshold of prayer, not its consummation.

A benefit, not an obligation

It is important that prayer be seen as a benefit, not an obligation. For too many years I have heard professed believers berated because they did not pray enough. Prayer can be imposed from Mount Sinai. Much better, however, it can be announced from Mount Zion, to which the grace of God has brought us (Heb 12:22-23). It should be obvious that when people are coerced to pray, they will do so without heart-- something that is imperative in prayer. To tell a drowning man that he MUST call out for help seems to be superfluous. To tell a grateful person that he is under obligation to give thanks is an exercise in redundancy. The strong arm of the law cannot lift one into the heavenlies, nor can it rescue one from the snare of the devil. Prayer must be seen from the shore of reconciliation, else it will appear too distant to us. Intercession provides an opportunity to get at the heart of prayer. Here we step into the holy of holies of supplication; the inner chamber, as it were, of sacred privilege. This is not a subject for the disinterested. It will have no attraction to those who have chosen to love the world and the things that are in it. This is a place of challenge for those seeking divine utility. The world cannot and will not confer honor upon those that have "power with God" (Gen 32:28; Hosea 12:3). If the acclaim of the world is sought by the individual, power with God is forfeited! Those seeking honor with men cannot have honor with God! Jesus proclaimed that things "highly esteemed among men" are an "abomination to the Lord" (Luke 16:15). Intercessory prayer lifts us out of the domain of flesh. It projects us into a realm where honor from God is of greater value than the honor of men. It also brings us into the area where self-interest is subordinate to a concern for others. Flesh cannot capitalize upon this privilege, and therefore those dominated by the flesh fear to step into it! PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the privilege of addressing You in prayer. I want to be effective in my prayers, and to be a resource through whom You can work in others. Give me grace to pray fervently and effectively.

-- TOMORROW: INTERCESSORY PRAYER DEFINED --