Intercession
My church recently had a prayer gathering where we worshiped God and prayed through some of the truths from our most recent series. We prayed through what Jesus says about us, prayed for the church globally, and prayed for our community. I was having a great time being in the presence of God, but then we were encouraged to pray for someone else in the room.
Immediately nervousness flashed through my body: I would have to interact with another human being when I had just wanted to come to that service to meet with Jesus and leave. After spending all day being needed and helping others with their problems, I just wanted to be left alone. But I didn’t have a clear escape route out of the room, so instead, I turned to the woman next to me and we began praying for each other.
And, honestly, I’m so glad that I stayed and pushed through that momentary discomfort.
It’s amazing how our perspectives can change when we dare to take our eyes off of our own situations and focus on the needs of another, even if for just one moment. Though I don’t know everything that woman is going through, in that moment of intercession, I felt God’s immense love for her. I could see Him putting His arm around her and leading her as she walks into the unknown. And I felt Him smiling down upon her, pleased at the faith of His beloved daughter.
As I was driving home, I was amazed at how refreshing it felt to stand with another person and whole-heartedly agree with them in prayer. Though interacting with someone else was the last thing I wanted to do that evening, it felt absolutely natural, like breathing, to pray with and for someone else. And then I was saddened because that hasn’t been a regular practice for me as of late.
The truth is, I’ve allowed myself to get wrapped up in my own little world. Lately, a lot of the prayers I’ve been praying have been for me and for things directly pertaining to me. I’ve been asking for direction as I make moves and make decisions. My prayers for others have, honestly, been pretty selfish — I’ve been interceding for them hoping they would change their mind and do what I think is right and just.
As I was praying for that woman, I was reminded just how many other people there are in the world — in my own backyard even — who need prayer. I’m sure there are many in my life right now who are having difficulty that I haven’t taken the time to really intercede for because I’ve been wrapped up in my own issues, thoughts and troubles. And I had to repent for my own selfishness and choose to see those around me instead.
I realized that evening that when we intercede for those around us, we are acting like Jesus. Right now, there’s a lot of fear, worry, and anxiety in the world. People stuck at home, some feeling lonely or depressed, some feeling angry or scared, and others feeling like they’re completely losing it — a perfect opportunity for us to pray for them. I believe we have a beautiful opportunity to look like Jesus to the world as we intercede for those near and far as we navigate through these trying times together.
