Too often I hear saints say "she/he is a powerful prayer warrior", as if to say that some prayers are stronger or better prayed than others. The fact is the power of prayer is not found in the one who prays the prayer but the One who hears it. Charles Spurgeon addresses this in a wonderful book "The Power of Prayer in the Life of the Believer". I paraphrase:
'Our prayers are like flowers that would be gathered by a child to give to his father; when he brings what he has gathered to his mother for approval she examines it and sees that the child has picked as many weeds as flowers. The mother does not scoll the child but quietly removes all of the weeds and replaces them with sweet smelling, beautiful flowers and also adds sweeter flowers to the bunch. She presents perfection to the father on behalf of the child.'
Jesus and the Holy Spirit stand in the gap to intercede to replace (the weeds) for us (Hebrew 7:25 and Romans 8:26), translating our weeded words into a perfect prose to our God. If we could hear the prayers we (all saints) have prayed after they have put it into perfect God language, we would not recognize our own prayer! Jesus and the Holy Spirit insure that God hears even the groaning from our hearts is transformed into a perfect prayer language and precisely stated.
So, we should pray as only we can pray. The words and phrases we use in the language we speak is interpreted by Jesus and the Holy Spirit. God has instructed us so many times to just call to him, come to him, commune with him, to just knock and the door will be opened for us, Matthew 7:7.
Know also that it is ok not to say anything in your time and place of prayer. Let your heart and mind speak for you. In other words pray with your spirit; from the depths of your being. God knows your heart and tells us that the Holy Spirit interprets even our moans and groans, "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered" (Romans 8:26). This an incredible blessing because there a times in our dispair groans are all we can manage to communicate! Note, that praying with your spirit is different than praying in the Spirit. Praying in the Spirit is when you allow the Holy Spirit to lead your prayers; He impresses or convicts your heart and mind with what to pray for. We often go to God with a prayer but there are times when we should be still and listen to receive the prayer to pray.
Finally, don't let what you percieve as a limitation (not knowing the right words or format or time) stop you or cause you not to communicate with your Heavenly Father. Jesus has taken all excuses away. When he hung his head and gave up his spirit on the cross, the very next thing to happen was the veil of the temple was torn open from top to bottom, which gave us direct acess into the holy of holies, the very thrown room of God! "Let us therefore come boldly into the throne room of grace, where we will obtain mercy and find grace to help us in time of need"(Hebrews 4:16).
God sent his son to insure that we can come to him not with the perfect prayer but we can come in the most excellent way - through his Son by the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, remember that you can pray the perfect prayer in fact all your prayers are strong and perfect!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The Prayer Life of an Intercessor
The Ministry of Intercessory Prayer is a Christian duty for every believer. Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we are to pray for one another and all the saints in the Spirit being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication. These instructions come from Paul to each of us. We are also instructed in Thessalonians to ‘pray without ceasing’ – Jesus said to us, when not if you pray. However, there are saints who have a specific propensity to cry out to God on the behalf of others needs and concerns other than their own. These saints are most commonly known in the Christian community as “prayer warriors”. In my experience they seem to be comfortable standing in the gap with Jesus and the Holy Spirit; not because they feel worthy of such a position (quite the opposite) but rather they feel compelled to do so. Usually they find themselves in this position without fanfare but rather instantaneously, an almost knee jerk reaction to the to the appearance of a need. Something like this – most people seeing a person who appears to be or is homeless and/or on drugs walking down the street are not convicted to pray for that person or listening to the news convicted to pray for the woman who had her person snatched most would empathize but not pray. Intercessors will begin to pray without thinking about it. This is another sure sign – they wake up usually at 3:00 a.m. or by 4:00 a.m. out of a sound sleep; some knowing to pray but many don't. So is the life of an intercessor whether they would recognize themselves as such or not.
There are characteristics unique to those who regularly have a conviction to prayer for others (intercede). The call to labor in prayer is very distinct; some are obvious and others seem obscure. I believe most know recognize this calling but are reluctant to own it for a number of reasons, however I have descovered most simply feel unworthy, not equipped. Believe me these are leaving blessings by the wayside, not experiencing the reward God has called them to.
Andrew Murray states it this way:
You are called to intercession. You are called to stand as a minister at my altar. “Harp and Bowl”, saith the Lord, praise, worship, prayer. You are called to stand in-between Heaven and earth saith the Lord – as any man who stands in the pulpit – you are called to full-time intercession in my House. Come saith God. Take your calling seriously. Prepare yourself. Study to show yourself approved. Study the great intercessors in the Scriptures: Study those who knelt before me. Study Daniel. Study Job. He offered sacrifices for his friends for perhaps they had sinned; he interceded. Daniel interceded for his people and confessed their sins. Moses interceded. Jesus interceded. Do not say that I am just little and no one will notice. For I tell you, heaven will take notice of you. You are important, saith the Lord.
There are characteristics unique to those who regularly have a conviction to prayer for others (intercede). The call to labor in prayer is very distinct; some are obvious and others seem obscure. I believe most know recognize this calling but are reluctant to own it for a number of reasons, however I have descovered most simply feel unworthy, not equipped. Believe me these are leaving blessings by the wayside, not experiencing the reward God has called them to.
Andrew Murray states it this way:
You are called to intercession. You are called to stand as a minister at my altar. “Harp and Bowl”, saith the Lord, praise, worship, prayer. You are called to stand in-between Heaven and earth saith the Lord – as any man who stands in the pulpit – you are called to full-time intercession in my House. Come saith God. Take your calling seriously. Prepare yourself. Study to show yourself approved. Study the great intercessors in the Scriptures: Study those who knelt before me. Study Daniel. Study Job. He offered sacrifices for his friends for perhaps they had sinned; he interceded. Daniel interceded for his people and confessed their sins. Moses interceded. Jesus interceded. Do not say that I am just little and no one will notice. For I tell you, heaven will take notice of you. You are important, saith the Lord.
‘Study to show yourself approved’
Join me as I present a Seminar:
“The Prayer Life of an Intercessor”
Saturday June 22, 2013
Lone Star Library
9191 Barker Cypress
Houston TX 77084
10:00-12 noon
Admission is free.
Perhaps you will find the answers you have been searching for, perhaps you will find the “Intercessor” that you are.
For more information, email me at oasisofprayer@sbcglobal.net
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