She Reads Truth: Prayer in the BibleChikamu

Prayers of Intercession

I’ve discovered something that continues to surprise me: the power of a gaze. In the line at the supermarket, at lunch with a friend, passing a street corner - my level of interaction is determined by where I cast my gaze. If I dare to look you in the eye, an invisible line is breached. I step out of my world and enter yours. Venturing out of myself, though uncomfortable, makes life richer, helps me see the whole of it.

So it is with prayer. The word “intercede” means to intervene on another’s behalf, and in prayer it simply means this: going to the Father in the name of another. To intercede means seeing another’s need and carrying it to the King of Kings.

In Nehemiah 1, we see a man broken for his Brothers and Sisters. Upon hearing news that a city and people he loves are in danger, Nehemiah weeps. “As soon as I heard these words,” he writes, “I sat down and wept and mourned for days.” (v. 4) Nehemiah fasts and prays and pleads to God on behalf of the people of Jerusalem. As I read of his reaction, I can’t help but ask, When was the last time I allowed intercession to interrupt my life, laid my agenda aside to enter into another’s struggle? The answer is humbling at best.

When Nehemiah carries Jerusalem’s woes to the Lord, it looks like this: he affirms God’s glory and steadfast love, he petitions for God to hear his prayer, he acknowledges his own sin and the sin of the people, and he reminds God of His promises. Yes, Nehemiah speaks back to God the covenant that God Himself made. Essentially, he calls God out. He says, “You said you would do this for Israel and you did it. Now, O faithful Lord, continue to do what you said you would do.” (v.8-11, my very loose paraphrase)

In John 17, we see that Christ Himself likewise intercedes for His followers. He prays not for their comfort, happiness or prosperity, but for something grander. He prays for unity. He prays that they will abide in the Father. He prays for their sanctification in the truth and that they will one day be with Him in Glory. Amen, right?

Sisters, let’s soak in these examples of intercessory prayer today. Let’s cling hard to God and His promises, for ourselves and for each other. Let’s dare to look one another in the eye, step out of ourselves and pray in the fullness of the Kingdom.

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