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 3 of 17

SOME REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCESSORY PRAYER

The kingdom of God does not run on automatic pilot. It is governed by Christ, Who works in concert with His people. As the redeemed distance themselves from the "fashion of the world" (1 Cor 7:19), they become more involved with the heavenly agenda. Such labor together with God (1 Cor 3:9), and get under the yoke with Jesus (Matt 11:28ff). They become a part of God's work in the world. One of the means used by the Lord to fulfill His will is intercessory prayer. Those that walk by faith and live in the Spirit are afforded the privilege of immediate involvement in the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. They refuse to be conformed to this world in order that they might comprehend that will (Rom 12:1-2). Intercession cannot be accomplished by a mere procedure--not even fervent desire is sufficient to move the arm of God. There are certain requirements for intercessory prayer. They are not law-requirements, but spiritual principles that bring one into harmony with Christ and His objectives.

Closeness to God

Effective intercession requires closeness to God. No one can constrain God while at a distance from Him! Those who refuse to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal 5:25) forfeit priesthood power. It is lamentable that so very little contemporary religion emphasizes intimacy with the Lord. Scripture refers to this involvement as "the knowledge of God" (Col 1:10; 2 Pet 1:2,2; 2:20; Eph 1:17). Institutionalism has many deficiencies. None is greater, however, than its lack of absolute dependency upon the Living God! Procedures, programs, and disciplines cannot compensate for a lack of identity with God. Nor, indeed, can they create or maintain the "good knowledge of God" (2 Chron 30:22). Lifeless religion is the enemy of the soul. In the name of God it alienates people from Him, robbing their souls and depleting spiritual resources that belong to them. God has not, nor will He ever, be pleased with a religion that does not require conscious involvement with Himself. Such a condition contradicts the very concept of salvation. Prayer is broad in scope and multifaceted in application. It involves personal requests (Phil 4:6), praise (Psa 42:5), petitions for pardon (Psa 25:11), and thanksgiving (Psa 100:4). All prayer requires some degree of familiarity with God, and desire for involvement with Him. However, when it comes to intercessory prayer, effectiveness depends upon God's view of the one praying, not the individual's view of God. Closeness to God assumes fervent desire on the part of the individual. It also presumes the acceptance of the person by God. It is true that God "is not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27). However, that situation does not constitute the required closeness. Personal awareness of God requires strangership in this world (Psa 119:19; 1 Pet 2:11; Heb 11:13). The "things of the Spirit of God" (1 Cor 2:14; Rom 8:5) are thus perceived as superior to the things "of this world" (Matt 13:22). Closeness to God is the result of a preference and quest for Him. As it is written, "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Heb 11:6).

Heavenly priorities

God's primary constraints are His Person and will. Although He has "pity" upon humanity because of their frailty (James 5:11), His Person and "eternal purpose" are transcendent to His reaction to the human condition. He will never "deny Himself" to help humanity (2 Tim 2:13). Nor, indeed, will He save those that retain a preference for the world. Our God maintains priorities that are in strict accord with His character and "determinate counsel" (Acts 2:23). Those that constrain God must, for this reason, have heavenly priorities. Their hearts must embrace the supplication, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven" (Matt 6:10). No person can afford to forget the words of the Master; "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Mat 6:33). The Lord makes no allowance for worldly agendas. Those who walk with Him must fellowship in His objectives.

-- TOMORROW: SPIRITUAL DISCERNMENT --