Intercessors

God showed me something in His Word a while back about how important it is for us to always be praying for those who are lost, those who cannot come to Jesus & believe for themselves. Sharing His word today really brought it to light again for me.

We are the intercessors for a lost and dying world—our families, friends, strangers. When we feel a burden for someone’s life, situation, addiction, etc., it’s not for us to say “It’s hopeless.” It’s for us to get on our knees and seek the Father’s grace and mercy for them. It is our burden to bear so their needs may be met-- be it a need for salvation, deliverance, healing, or anything else.

In Matt 17, after Jesus & the three came down from Mt of Transfiguration, they were met by a boy in bondage, his father, and other disciples. The disciples could not cast the demon out of the boy so his father then brought him before the Lord. Jesus points out to the disciples that it’s because of their unbelief, but that this kind won’t come out but by prayer and fasting (paraphrasing). Both of these are great messages in themselves—unbelief and prayer and fasting.

However, there is yet another message God showed me. In Mark 9, Jesus also addresses the father of the boy and says that if he will believe then his son will be delivered. IF HE WILL BELIEVE. The father immediately responds with, “I believe” and “help me with my unbelief.” Jesus didn’t say that it was the boy, the one in bondage that had to believe. He said if the father will believe. So the father did and the boy was freed. The father was an intercessor for his son who could not come to Jesus himself. And so we are today for those who cannot of themselves come to Jesus.

Satan wants to twist God’s intentions. The burdens we often feel are not to be discouraged that there is no hope for a person. That’s what the devil wants you to think, so you lose hope and faith. The truth is Jesus gives us a burden to bear so we can lay it at His feet because the other person can’t or won’t—the reason doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we obey the Lord and intercede for the lost and dying because nobody else will.

We cannot give place to the devil, even in what may look like the most hopeless of situations. Our God is greater, more powerful than any bondage the enemy can try to use to keep His children separated from Him. God’s children WILL be redeemed. Jesus will not lose ANY that the Father has given Him. Jesus won’t give up. He didn’t give up on us; He won’t give up on them. He will leave the 99 to find the one. If they won’t come to church, don’t stop praying! If they don’t want to hear anyone talk about God, don’t stop praying! God’s power isn’t limited to a church building; He can bring salvation in the darkest of places. Don’t let the devil discourage you into unbelief. Trust in God’s holy Word that He will be there waiting with open arms when the prodigal’s son returns.