August 05, 2021
“They spoke to Him about her” (Mark 1:30)
There are multiple types of prayer—prayers of adoration, personal petition, spiritual warfare, prayers of provision, etc. But one of the highest forms of prayer is intercession—to pray on behalf of others.
THE OVERWHELMING NEED
The verse above begins with, “Now Simon’s mother-in-law was lying sick with fever.” There was an obvious need, and it was something the disciples could not fix on their own.
We are surrounded by people’s needs every common day. Most of these we cannot resolve by ourselves. But we have something as believers that no one else has … we have a relationship with the Great Physician. We can speak to Him on their behalf.
Jesus can heal or help anyone. Our greatest task is to “speak to Jesus” about them in prayer. Our intercession accomplishes much as God is brought into the equation of someone’s need. If you do not believe the basic fact of God’s ability, you will never be effective in intercession.
THE COMPASSION OF CHRIST
Jesus is anxious to meet the needs of those He loves. When the disciples spoke to Jesus, “He came to her and raised her, taking her by the hand, and the fever left her, and she waited on them” (Mark 1:31)
His response to their intercession was immediate and effective. God does not always choose to heal. He has purposes beyond our physical healing at times. But be assured of this: Jesus can heal anyone, anytime as He chooses. This is why we intercede for them.
Our interceding and his delivering are not designed for physical problems alone. People are weighed down with multiple problems spiritually, emotionally, relationally. But there is not a single need that is beyond His ability to resolve. He is looking for those who will speak to Him about these needs. In so doing, He is giving us His heart and involving us in Kingdom work.
AND BRINGING
The natural response when the disciples saw the power of God was to bring others.
When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door.” (vs. 32-33)
There is nothing more thrilling than seeing lives changed. When we are involved through our intercession, it spurs us to increase our “bringing.” For the believer, these two acts—prayer and bringing—are the most significant things we can do with our lives. Jesus is the only Savior, but we can intercede for others and bring them to Christ.
Father, open my eyes today. Help me be filled with Your compassion. Give me the grace and courage to do my part in intercession and introducing them to You. And then, dear Lord, be merciful to do what only You can accomplish in their lives.
January 15, 2025
Imagine a child created by God and for whom He had sent His only begotten Son to redeem and His Spirit to indwell. And then imagine that child ignoring Him, never communing, never praying, never listening, never obeying. And then realize how an attentive, unceasing life of prayer would delight the heart of the Father who made you.
January 14, 2025
Spending hours in solitude with God alone is foreign to us. We are not familiar with God. He is, for most, a distant entity, not an every day Father.
January 13, 2025
What is more important to you than anything else? Check your values, for they will drive you this year. And what value is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?
