Guest Post
Rebekah Lyn
Reblogged from Rebekah Lyn’s Kitchen
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
These two verses have comforted me over the years. No matter how fervently I pray over some situations, sometimes the answer never seems to come. I grow weary and question if I am praying the right way. Then I recall these verses and call upon the Holy Spirit to join me in prayer, to fill in the blanks when my words run dry, and to lead my heart in the direction of God’s will.
When the Holy Spirit poured out on the disciples at Pentecost, they received power to perform miracles, they gained courage to speak about Jesus as Messiah and king even in the face of death, and they followed the path God had set for them from the beginning. Life as a Christ follower isn’t easy, but we aren’t alone in it either.
Part of our job as Christians is to intercede on behalf of others. They may need God’s salvation, healing, comfort, encouragement, peace, or an actual physical need, like food and shelter. Webster’s dictionary defines intercede as “to intervene between two parties with a view to reconciling differences”. It’s a compact word for acting as a go-between for two parties, much like a lawyer acts as an intercessor in a legal dispute. Jesus came to Earth to intercede on our behalf, to take away the wrath of God upon our imperfect and sinful spirits. He continues to do so at the throne of God each time we pray.
Those who aren’t believers need us to intercede on their behalf, to go between them and God to seek His reconciliation and grace in their circumstances. It’s not a job for the faint of heart. It can take years for these types of prayers to be answered, and they weigh heavily on your heart, but they are truly important.
The way Dutch Sheets put it in his book Intercessory Prayer shifted my understanding. He said, “Intercessory prayer is an extension of the ministry of Jesus through His Body, the Church, whereby we mediate between God and humanity for the purpose of reconciling the world to Him, or between Satan and humanity for the purpose of enforcing the victory of Calvary …. Our authority comes from being sent ones, representing Jesus. As long as we function in that capacity, we function in Christ’s authority. And, in essence, we’re not really doing the works; He is.”
Whew! We don’t have to feel the pressure to complete the work we are praying for. We bring our requests to God and allow Him the freedom to work. Jesus already paid the ultimate price, won the ultimate victory, and made it possible for humanity to reap the reward of victory.
It’s a simple decision to accept that victory and allow it to change the way we live our lives. Alternatively, we can continue slogging along, thinking we can do everything on our own, and that there is nothing more than this current life. If this is all there is, do you really feel fulfilled? I know I want more. I want a world without sin, sickness, pain, war, death. All that awaits us in heaven, but only if we follow Jesus.
I’ll close today with another scripture that is resoundingly appropriate in our world today (emphasis is mine). “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” (1Timothy 2:1-2)
Old Things R New 
Lovely post.
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