More on Intercession

Our topic from yesterday is large enough that we need to talk about it little bit more.  Other than God doing the impossible, intercession is quite possibly the most important part of standing for your marriage and your spouse.

Prayers for yourself, for strength, for removing doubt, for revelation, for spiritual gifts, for guidance, or any personal matter, or anything having to do with yourself are NOT intercessory prayer.  Intercession is not just praying for someone else's needs. Intercession is praying with the real hope, intent, and passion that God would step in and act on behalf another person. It is trusting God to act, even if it's not in the manner or timing we seek. God wants us to ask, even urgently. It is casting our weakness before God's strength, and having a bit of God's passion burn in us. It's the PASSION that makes intercession so different.

Some verses about prayers and intercession...Matthew 7:7,8; James 5:16-18; Luke 11:5-13.  Pull out your Bible and read them! 

There is a general kind of praying which fails for lack of precision. It is as if a regiment of soldiers should all fire off their guns anywhere. Possibly somebody would be killed, but the majority of the enemy would be missed. --Charles Haddon Spurgeon

The place where intercessory prayer must start is with you. It's great to know that others may be stepping up for someone before God, but God wants you to put something of yourself on the line.  Josh's sister, Daja, is gifted in intercession.  She has been gifted in this area for a definite purpose, which has unfolded as the years go by.  We have watched her put many things on the line for the prayers of others. When Josh was gone she even cut her hair off, as the Lord had told her that she needed to bear her brother's shame. She cried as her husband watched her cut her hair; it cost her something. 

Has anyone given you something at a discount price that you feel it really should be worth more?  Like it's just too cheap to be real? Your private devotions are not just for your own benefit. If God's love is at work in you, you will care about others, and your love for them will lead you to take it to the ultimate Source of strength, healing, and love. Don't be fearful; be persistent and stubborn. God doesn't mind; God likes to see divine love at work in you. God honors your part in the relationship.  Real intercession is deep; it needs to cost you something.  This does not mean it's the same thing every time, but the Lord will tell you what it needs to be--just ask Him to guide you. And remember you are not praying alone. The Holy Spirit prays with you!!

King David found himself in a place where he was able to offer God a sacrifice that was given to him.  He refused the gift because he would not offer God a sacrifice that cost him nothing (2Samuel 24:24).  He knew the importance of giving God a true sacrfice.   

Intercessory prayer is not something that may come easy to you but it can be learned.  From experience, I (Serena) believe that God will definitely grant you a heart for people as you ask Him to help you intercede for your spouse.  Practice!!  And the more you practice...the better you will get.  This isn't about getting the exact prayer right or the right words.  You might find yourself praying for something that isn't exactly what you expected.  We are to pray listening for the Spirit, and pray that God's Will would be done. Don't be surprised if the Spirit starts tugging on your heart about a matter you're praying about. God may want to use you in that person's life, but He also might just want you to be a bystander.  You MUST be open to KEEP quiet or to also TAKE ACTION.

Anyone can pray for others and step in with God on their behalf. But some people are more gifted at intercession. This is not an excuse to not intercede.  Believe me; I have tried it.  They have an ear and a passion for the needs of others, and take them before God even when those other people reject God. An intercessor's heart is touched for those in need, chososing to NOT be on their side (not condoning sin) but an intercessor is BY their side and praying on their behalf. They have a burden for that person. They persevere. They let the Spirit give them comfort about it, instead of worrying. And when the outcome is positive, they celebrate and are happy about it. An intercessor has to remain soft to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  In talking with married couples in the last few months we have found that when they pray and ask God for an answer...they get it and proceed to pass immediate judgement on the answer.  If God has given you a heart to pray and intercede for your spouse, TRUE INTERCESSORS are going to rejoice in the outcome, not cast judgement.

God never gives us discernment in order that we may criticize, but that we may intercede. -- Oswald Chambers

As God grants the requests of an intercessors's heart it is a skill that will amaze you EVERY time. We have friends that are gifted intercessors that sometimes get a strong sense of coming danger about whom they're praying for. These friends have been driven to their knees to pray about something they can't otherwise have known was happening. Sounds weird, but it's true. This has happened to me (Serena) only on a small scale, as God will bring a friend's name to mind....later I will find out that it was minutes from something that was potentially life-threatening.  God is amazing but you have to trust that regardless of knowing what is going on.  You have to be obedient.  If God asks you to pray for someone--do it--it doesn't matter if nothing drastic or amazing happens.  We can all use the time to pray for someone, and the person you are praying for will benefit.  Learn to be quick to pray!  God wants a willing person.

Is everything we pray for answered OUR way?  It's understandable for us to think that way; Jesus promised that our prayers would cause things to happen, especially when we keep at it. But look at the Biblical intercessors again: Abraham, Moses, David, and the apostles. Their success was very real, but, at times, far from complete. David's son still died even though he prayed for him. The apostles still had the poor with them even though they interceded for the poor.  So, don't assume that because you pray that you KNOW what will happen...it may not look like what you think.  Prayers do work, but you need to realize YOU are not God.  You are responsible to pray; God is responsible for the outcome.

Our place is to follow the example of Jesus, who prayed  "Not my will, but Thine".  It's okay to ask for what you want from the situation; that's a part of being honest with God. God may have other plans and your part is to trust Him. God sides with covenant, so regardless of the circumstances you see around you--an intercessor has to continue persevering and pray according to the Spirit's leading.

Intercessory prayer does not work by our own power as if we were God. Prayers are answered but they are answered in God's way.  Are you open to the victory the way GOD sees it?  Are you willing to accept your spouse to come home filthy, dirty, and stinky....you did PRAY him home, right?  Or are you only claiming victory if he comes home clean, shaved, and perfect?  It may not be at all like the 'victory' you are 'claiming'. Much of the time, the Spirit's main work is to change us, make us care more, and to cause us to focus on what others are going through.   Your heart cannot possibly be hard if you are interceding and getting the heart of God.  The heart of God is NOT hard, so if we follow His example in praying for God's will in our lives....the result...a SOFT heart!

Josh and Serena