Are you an intercessor?
By Julia Fowler, Worship Arts Pastor
Text: 2 Chronicles 7:14
“IF my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)
The Bible commands that we be a people devoted to prayer. In fact I Thessalonians 5:17 calls us to the high order of praying continually. Jesus Himself modeled such a discipline for us when he taught us to pray in Matthew 6:9. Any church movement or pursuit requires a fuel that will "fan into flame" (2 Tim 1:6) the work of God in that place. There is no doubt in my mind that intercession, or prayer and petition is such a fuel to fan the flames of revival in our lives and therefore in our church today.
"Prayer is far reaching in its influence and worldwide in its effects. It affects all men, affects them everywhere, and affects them in all things. It touches men's interest in time and eternity." (E.M. Bounds) That is a pretty series statement as it suggests that prayer is a extremely powerful and far reaching! Do you believe prayer is that powerful?
If so, what keeps us from investing time and energy into the process of communicating with the Father? Personally I believe that Satan who "prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" will make every effort to keep your communication with God at a minimum; or non-existent. He knows there is strength when you call on the Name of the Lord. He also knows that you have been promised the ability to possess the strength and power of the Lord and He will go to great lengths to stand in the way of your relationship with God and any effort to multiply God's church. (Eph. 1:19-20)
When Satan attacks I Peter 5:9 tells us to "Resist him and stand strong in the faith." Larry McKain shares that "Satan has two basic weapons he uses against believers--he accuses (Job 2:2-4; Rev 12:10) and he deceives (Gen 3:1-6)." I am assuming you are as well acquainted with these tactics as I am, and still the Word tells us to resist and stand firm.
Often I find the best way for me to resist the devil is to either quote/read scripture or to sing a praise song to the Lord. When I really feel bomb-barded I call one of my accountability partners and I get tangible-verbal-physical support! These active steps help refocus my mind and put my thoughts back on things that are 'true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy' (Phil. 4:8)
Remember, the Lord commanded and taught that we should pray. Because of this I strongly encourage you, for your own good, well-being and spiritual development to work all the more on setting aside time to spend with the Lord. I also encourage you to find someone to be accountable to for this…we all need a physical flesh and blood representative of Christ on our side, and having an accountability sister or brother can mean the difference between forging ahead in victory or succumbing to destructive or unhealthy behaviors. Certainly, talk with the Lord about it, ask Him to reveal a friend you can partner with as you seek Him all the more.
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