From BURNOUT to BLISSSample

Intercession – for Others and Own Vision

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”
– Colossians 1:9

For many of us prayer feels like a burden. It feels like this obligation we must do to keep God happy, or at ease or whatever your picture of Him requires. Or prayer might be nothing more than a daily grocery list we want to take to the Supernatural Teller to try and see if we can have it checked out and packed in. However, prayer is a power tool for change in our lives and the lives of others. It is an opportunity for us to be happy, complete, and no longer in want of anything more (Philippians 4:6).

For many of us prayer feels like a burden, but in fact, it breaks our burdens (Matthew 11:28-30).

Prayer is simply being in conversation with God. But intentional prayer is also being aligned with God. And intercession is taking the gap in the spiritual realm. It is taking a stand, guarding the gate, for those who need assistance only God can give. Or even standing in the gap for those who don’t realize their need of God, yet. It’s also taking watch on the tower, being on the lookout for danger yes (Ezekiel 33:7) but watching the spiritual horizons for opportunity and direction as well (Jeremiah 6:16).

You are both God’s child and change agent. Now imagine prayer as entering our King and Father’s courts, which we have all access to (Hebrews 4:16). At any time of the day, as His child, you are allowed to enter, to dine with Him, and talk to Him. You can enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100:4). But at certain times you must also enter the war room, take a seat at the table to acknowledge the battle and find the strategy. As followers of Christ, we are also co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17), meaning we have the right to plead with God, be with God and hear from God.

If we are to be truly happy, if we are really going to go from burnout to bliss, we need to be both informal in and intentional with our prayers. Not seeing it as a burden or obligation, but rather the invitation and opportunity it really is. To find rest and restoration in our Father’s presence, we must unveil our hearts and pray intentionally for the sakes of ourselves and others.

So, search your heart and mind. Who is there that needs you to stand in the gap for them? And what are the uncertainties you currently face and need God’s guidance on?

Read John 17 and reflect on the following…

1. What is your observation(s) from today’s scriptures and devotional?

2. How will you apply what you have learned today?

3. Pray about what God’s Word and the Holy Spirit is revealing to you…