INTERCESSION
When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that He was back home. Soon the house where He was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While He was preaching God’s Word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn’t bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above His head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.”
Mark 2:1-5 (NLT)
We believe that transformation takes place through asking God. We see this happen over and over in the Gospels—people approach Jesus and ask Him to heal them. It’s beautiful and wonderful and amazing. But I think even more powerful is when someone intercedes on behalf of another.
In the passage above, we see four friends who are deeply committed to interceding on behalf of their paralyzed friend. They are determined to get their friend into Jesus’ presence because they believe He can bring healing. When they finally arrive at where Jesus is staying, getting to the front of the crowd is impossible. In that moment, they had two choices: give up or persevere. Thankfully, these were committed friends who persevered. They took apart the roof and lowered their friend to Jesus—amazing!
Who are you that committed to getting to Jesus? While the people in your life may not suffer from a physical ailment like the man in this story, we all know people afflicted by brokenness. The only real healing they can experience comes from Christ. But sometimes, we let fear prevent us from boldly proclaiming the message of our Savior. What if I offend someone? There’s a non-zero chance that you might. But, and this is important, there’s a 100% chance that person will one day stand before God. So, we live on a mission to introduce people to Jesus before it’s too late.
Oswald Chambers said this about intercession: God brings you to places, among people, and into certain conditions to accomplish a definite purpose through the intercession of the Spirit in you. Your part in intercessory prayer is not to agonize over how to intercede, but to use the everyday circumstances and people God puts around you by His providence to bring them before His throne, and to allow the Spirit in you the opportunity to intercede for them. In this way God is going to touch the whole world with His saints.
APPLICATION: Transformation happens when we ask God to move. Let us intercede on behalf of those He has placed in our path! Who can you lift up in prayer today?
PRAYER: God, show me who I can reach for You. Grow within me a passion for helping people experience transformation through knowing Your Son, Jesus. Use me as Your hands, feet and voice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?