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 17 of 17

A PROMISE TO INTERCESSORS

The power of intercession is seen in a promise made through John the Beloved. It holds out hope for situations that appear hopeless, while clearly keeping matters subject to the will of the Lord. This promise is of particular relevance in a day when spiritual retrogression is common. "If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and He shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it" (1 John 5:16). " . . . he should pray and God will give him" (NIV). " . . . you will ask, and God will give life to such a one--to those whose sin is not" (NRSV). " . . . he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to" (NASB). What is a "sin unto death"? That is the question people often ask concerning this passage: but it is the wrong question. John's point is that intercession is not a guaranteed panacea for all situations. It is not a powerful routine, or a procedural secret. Intercessory prayer is not a form of kingdom magic that can be flawlessly performed by believers. Under ordinary circumstances, however, it is a divinely appointed means of bringing life to people caught in the grip of spiritual death. The "sin unto death" is a sin that results in the death of the transgressor. Some cases in point: Asa (2 Chron 16:12-13), Judas (Acts 1:25), Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:6-10), and some of the Corinthians (1 Cor 11:26-29). Intercession will not be effectual in these case. John does not give us a means of identifying this particular sin, because that is not his intent. His objective is to assure us that our prayers carry great weight when they are in the stream of God's will. They are never powerful enough to reverse His "determinate counsel." They can, however, bring life where there is hope. Think of it: God will give life to one that has sinned -- because of the prayers of an intercessor! That is a wonderful circumstance! This is not a word addressed to Apostles, but to all saints. It is not a commentary on the miraculous, but on the priestly role of believers! May this promise encourage you in personal issues that confront you. To be sure, Satan will attempt to persuade you that this promise is beyond you, but it is not! CONCLUSION I encourage you to be an intercessor -- a willing and innovative intercessor! Seek to be used of God for the correction of impossible situations. God's ability is no less than it has ever been. Isaiah's word still rings true. "Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear" (Isa 59:1). The new covenant affirmation is this: "Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph 3:20, NASV.) Every believer does well to take that word seriously! It is possible to live close enough to the Lord for your prayers to carry weight with Him. There are circumstances all around you that require divine intervention. Many of them involve individuals that are not even inclined to pray. Their hearts have been dulled by sin, and they have been deceived by the devil. They are in the grip of death. However, God can give them life, just like He did you. He has revealed He will do it because of your prayers. That is a promise you cannot afford to ignore!