Intercessory Prayer

“Your part in intercessory prayer is not to enter into the agony of intercession, but to utilize the common-sense circumstances God puts you in, and the common-sense people He puts you amongst by His providence, to bring them before God’s throne and give the Spirit in you a chance to intercede for them. In this way God is going to sweep the whole world with His saints.” ~ Oswald Chambers

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to "practice the agony of intercession" in my "common-sense circumstances". SALT ministries has two main parts to it, the Tuesday night worship service and small groups. For the last 15 years we have had a man who has been in charge of these as far as making decision and coordination goes. He left in May to take a position at a church in Oklahoma. That meant that students either had to step up and run things or let the ministry die, because he wasn't going to be replaced. So six of us who had been involved with the ministry over the last few years and had been significantly impacted by it stepped up to keep small groups going. We call ourselves the Bodybuilders because one of our main jobs is to build up the rest of our small group leaders so that they can in turn build up the guys and girls in their small groups. Our theme verses for the year are Ephesians 4:4-6 which says, "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all." So, we try and do our best to build the body, or at least our little part of it.

I love being a Bodybuilder and the other five people I work with are absolutely amazing. One thing about being in the Bodybuilders though, is that there is not really anyone who is pouring into you because well....you are the pourers. Besides coordinating and making decisions for all of the small groups on campus, we also lead small groups, are full time students, work, and various other things that the college life involves. So we pour into one another. We do things like "Bless ___________" week, where five of us get together and decide to bless the sixth member without them knowing. We each take a day and write them a note of encouragement or appreciation, we do dinner for them, and other things to make them feel special.

Today we got together and just shared our struggles and prayed for one another for an hour or so. It was great. One of the guys was sick and couldn't make it, so we started off praying for him to get better. Then we just went around and were vulnerable with one another, which I must say is very hard for those in leadership to do. It is a necessary element of leadership--to be humble and open in front of others and God--but it is hard at the same time, because you want people to think you have everything together, because you are leader and you think you should have it all together. One of those crazy pride things. Anyway, we were able to do that in the safety of a small group of people that we love, are comfortable with, and trust. We shared what was going on and what we were struggling with, and then someone prayed for that person immediately. And until we can meet again we will know how we can be specifically be lifting one another up, so that we can continue to do as Oswald Chambers says and, “Launch out in reckless belief that the Redemption is complete, and then bother no more about yourself; but begin to do as Jesus Christ said-pray for the friend who comes to you at midnight, pray for the saints, pray for all men. Pray on the realization that you are only perfect in Christ Jesus…” There is so much freedom and joy found in doing as James says in James 5:16. He says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The intense prayer of the righteous is very powerful.”

So I encourage you to take a group of your closest friends and set aside some specific and intentional time to be vulnerable with one another and pray for one another. I know that schedules are crazy, but you know, I kind of like something Martin Luther had to say about this. He said something to the effect of, "I have so much to do today that I must set aside more time to pray." Wow! So much to do that I must pray more. That's that right attitude there. So take time to pray...it will do a body good.