As a child growing up in the safe & just world that my parents provided for me, prayer seemed so simple. But as an adult, with harsh reality, and the stresses of life pressing me from within and without, I think that most of my praying was done with a half-hearted belief and desperation, that Someone must be listening. At those times, prayer for me was a last ditch effort, my cry for help, when I felt that there was nowhere else to turn.
The first experience I had when God showed me that He hears and answers prayer, was an event which took place in my office at World Vision in Laval, during my early morning prayer time. I had been agonising, and I mean agonising, over my two sons, who were in precarious situations. My heart was breaking, and the pain that I felt in my heart for them, was almost unbearable.
My eyes were closed, and I was weeping uncontrollably. Suddenly, in my mind's eye, I saw a Hand pass sweepingly before me, showing me where my two sons were at that moment - settled in safe places - and I heard a Voice say, "I have done this." This so surprised me, because the Voice was so audible, that my eyes flew open. I looked down the hallway in my office. There was no one there but me. And I realised that God was telling me that my prayer for safe shelter for my sons had been answered, and that He Himself had done this. And that I had simply moved on to their next problem, without even acknowledging or seeing what He had already done in their lives.
The second instance occurred a short time later, and again it was centred around my two sons. This is my journal entry of February 6th 1994.
'I had spent some time in prayer, had read my Forward Day by Day and the Bible readings. I prayed for protection for all of us, I prayed for revelation for the boys, and then I prayed about the situations they were in. I have been reading The Helper by Catherine Marshall. It is about Holy Spirit. I have been praying with this book for a couple of weeks now.
Part Four was entitled 'How the Helper Ministers to me at a Deep Level.' The chapter was called 'He teaches me About Tears'. There was a story about a little boy named Troy who had been born with eczema. His family brought him to a healing service. The mother, Sharon, had been weeping inexplicably during the service, and had not heard anything going on during the service. When during the service they were directed to check the child, Sharon stopped crying. At this point, the book read. 'Sharon's tears stopped instantly. She jerked Troy's shirt over his head. Every sore on his body was healed. The scales had turned to powder and dusted to the floor'.
This is not what I read. I read, "Look and see…even as you pray, it is being done". I cried and thanked the Lord that He is patient, and lets me know He is present and working in our lives, even though we sometimes don't take the time to look.'
I was amazed. Twice now the Lord had assured me that He had heard and answered my prayers for my boys. I now gave them completely into His hands, and stopped worrying so much about them.
As I continued to pray for others, I began to write their names on a paper that I kept in my Bible. The list became long - and messy too - because as prayers were answered I crossed the names off. When my list became too scribbled-looking, I then would make a new list. At times the list of names and requests became almost unmanageable timewise. At someone's suggestion, I would then simply lift each person up to the Lord. After all, I was told, the Lord does already know all the details. That made things a lot easier.
Often it would happen, at any time during the day, that a person or situation would come into my thoughts. I didn't really understand this, and if it was a family member or friend, or a situation close to my heart, I would then begin to worry and stew over the situation. And if the situation was a difficult one, I would quite often become agitated, upset, worried, and anxious, before I would finally remember to pray about it.
Then one day I read this amazing book called, "Prier, C'est Envahir L'impossible" by Jack Hayward. I have absolutely no idea what the exact English title is, but the direct translation is 'To Pray, This is to Invade the Impossible."
It was so simple, it was amazing. The Lord, the author explained, by bringing people or situations to mind through His Holy Spirit , invites us to participate with Him in ministering to them by asking us to lift them up to Him in prayer. And He does this simply by bringing them to mind. We don't need to know the details. He is simply asking us to bring them before Him in prayer. This brought to me a new understanding of the words, "Pray at all times in the Spirit".
After this, when someone or something came to mind, instead of working myself up into a lather worrying about the situation, I would bring it to the Lord. What peace I had! Of course, I am not perfect, and sometimes I forget to do that right away, and so I spend time agonising and fretting over the situation. But in the long run, I finally do wake up & smell the coffee, and when I bring it to Him in prayer, as I should, peace reigns again in my heart.
I understand this now to be another answer to prayer. You see, I prayed to the Lord long and hard, asking Him to use me for the advancement of the Kingdom. His answers are not always the ones you expect. And as the years have gone by, the Lord has been faithful, and continues to bring thoughts of people and situations to my mind, and I am thankful that He has not given up on me. And I try hard to pay attention to the Spirit's nudging within me.
Being part of chapel ministry, I thought that the natural thing to do next, would be to join the telephone prayer chain. I am sad to say that I often feel that I fail miserably in this ministry. I shared my concerns with my friend Linda, and she told me that I was being too hard on myself. She is also a member of the Prayer Chain at her Church. She told me that when she gets a request, she prays about it as soon as she can, and then leaves the person in the Lord's hands. She said that if she is unable to regularly lift the person up to Him, she trusts that the Lord has heard her prayer, and is so ministering to that person or situation. This advice encouraged me tremendously, because for a long time, I really felt that I was letting people down when I could not daily devote time to each request. And so now, I try to be diligent as a member of the Telephone Prayer team. And, I try not to be so hard on myself.
When I joined World Vision, I was introduced to the world of group intercessory prayer. We prayed for staff, donors, volunteers, for direction in our work at home and overseas, and for the people that we were serving overseas, who were suffering from the effects of famine, drought, natural disaster, war, and injustice. Two things happened to me at World Vision: God created a special place in my heart for the poor, suffering, and marginalised people in this world...and, I learned how to pray in French.
There have been times that I have felt a special burden to intercede for others on a regular basis, and I have found, that often, the Lord then invites me to do more.
A few years ago, a couple at my husband's office was going through difficulties in their relationship. They have three young children, and were living in common-law at the time. The mother left with her daughter. I began to pray for them, asking that the truth of Christ be in the relationship for them. An amazing thing happened. After a short time, the mother returned home.
Jack encouraged his co-worker, using the two of us as an example, telling him that he and his wife should take the time to spend together as a couple, and soon they began taking dancing lessons. A year later, we decided to take dancing lessons as well, and ended up at the same dance school. We live in Dollard. The dancing lessons are in Ste-Eustache. I believe that we are probably the only English couple in the school.
Every Friday night, there are practices, and this couple is usually there. We also go to dances, and sit with them at the same table. Last year, they got married. Another couple, his brother and his girlfriend, who have a young child, and who have also started taking dancing lessons, got married last June as well. She is now pregnant with a second child.
The other day, I was thinking about our relationships with these young two couples, and I realised something. First of all, I must tell you that Jack and I have absolutely nothing in common with these two couples. We are grandparents, they are young parents; we come from completely different backgrounds and cultures; we don't speak the same language, they are French-speaking, we are English-speaking; and finally, we are Christians, and they are not.
What started me thinking was something that Jack has said a few times. He told me that his co-worker had told him that his wife really liked me. I remember being surprised at the time, and thinking, 'Geez, I'm old enough to be her mother.' And at another time, that I was actually a boring person, and then at another time, that maybe it's because she's shy, and perhaps feels that I am non-threatening in some way. You know, we just chat a bit when we are together, I ask her about her children, and we spend most of our time dancing with our husbands. And although they know we are Christians, we never talk about God.
This is what I discern is happening. I interceded for them, and the Lord said 'Yes'. And He is now working in their lives through Jack and myself. There is a Scripture that says that we are like the aroma of Christ to those who are perishing. Would that not make people want to be there - where there is Life? And I don't mean Jack and myself, I mean the Spirit of God within us. It is not us they see, but Christ within us. And so Christ Himself is there, interceding for them through our flesh.
I am beginning to understand that Intercession is a real calling and ministry, and that there is only One Who is the Perfect Intercessor, Who gave us perfect example, and Who can do all. And He is at the right hand of the Father, and intercedes for us even now.
Intercession comes in many forms. Some are clear, like the prayer chain, or like intercessory groups. Some are not as clear, like a burden on your heart, or like an encounter with others.
One thing is sure. Intercession is a divine invitation to all of us, to stand at one time or another, in the gap for others, between God and this world.
Worthwhile Reading
Booklets for daily prayer:
Day by Day Books I have read along the way:
The Helper, Catherine Marshall Let Prayer Change Your Life, Becky Tirabassi, Thomas Nelson Publishers
Nine O'Clock in the Morning, Dennis Bennett, Plainfield, N.J.:Logos The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges, NavPress Publishing Group
Victory Over the Darkness, Neil Anderson, Regal Books
Intercession - Scripture References:
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Again the Lord called, "Samuel!" And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me." 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 with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him. Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way? Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life." Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Spiritual Exercise - INTERCESSION
Below is a Prayer of Intercession that will lead you to pray into a variety of concerns.
This is all you will need for this time of prayer.
Simply pray through each prayer quietly in your heart, pausing as the Lord leads, and then moving on to the next prayer concern.
In a sense, this next time of prayer is a continuation of your Morning Devotions. The Lord is with you, and so let Him guide you, as you move through this time of intercession.
You may now enter into your time of intercession with the Lord. May He bless you in this time...
Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24b Heavenly Father, I come before You in the name of Jesus. I thank You that I can come before You to intercede for those that I know and love. Lord, we live in a hurting and broken world. I lift up to You those around me who are sick in heart, body, and spirit. Father, I bring before You the people of this world, men, women, and children, who suffer because of war, natural disaster, and political gain. Heavenly Father, I pray for my country. Lord God, I pray for Your Church. Let Your Spirit rest on those who lead us. Direct them in their way, that it be Your Way. Closing Prayer: Concluding your prayer experience - INTERCESSION - Which area of Intercession did you find most challenging?
- Was there an area of Intercession that you found to be too remote for you, or too distant?
- Was there an area of Intercession that was difficult for you, too close to home?
- We pray because we believe that God answers prayer. Where was your confidence level during your time of Intercession? High? Medium? Low? Why do you think you feel this way?
- How do you feel about praying for the 'bigger' things: the Church, the Nation, the World?
Close with this prayer:
Daily Bread
Every Day with Jesus
The Miracle Hour, Linda Schubert, Telephone/Fax: (408) 734-8663
Beyond Ourselves, Catherine Marshall
Something More, Catherine Marshall
To Live Again, Catherine Marshall, McGraw-Hill Book Company
Light in My Darkest Night, Catherine Marshall, Revell Publishing House
Mr. Jones, Meet The Master, edited by Catherine Marshall, Revell Publishing House
The Holy Spirit and You, Dennis & Rita Bennett, Bridge Publishing, Inc.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
"My son," Eli said, "I did not call; go back and lie down."
Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
The Lord called Samuel a third time, and Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, "Here I am; you called me."
Then Eli realized that the Lord was calling the boy. So Eli told Samuel, "Go and lie down, and if he calls you, say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."
1Samuel 3:6-9
Romans 8:26-27
Ephesians 6:18
Matthew 11:28-30
1John5:14-15
John 14:5-6
Titus 2:6-8
Titus 2:3-5
2Corinthians 2:14-16
Hebrews 7:24-25
Galatians 6:2
After each prayer, bring before the Lord those who come to mind.
Carry each other's burdens. Galatians 6:2a
Pray for your family, friends, and neighbours: for their daily lives; their life in Christ.
...look after orphans and widows in their distress. James 1:27b
Pray for your community: for broken families; for the motherless and the fatherless; for the lonely, the sick, the troubled, the abandoned.
He has scatterd abroad his gifts to the poor. Psalm 112:9a
Pray for just leaders; for safety & health for relief workers and missionaries; for shelter, clothing, clean water, food, medicine, healing, and God's Peace, for the oppressed and suffering; for discernment in our own response to those in need.
...for he is the anointed of the Lord. 1Samuel 24:6b
Pray for the anointing of Christian leaders; pray for the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit upon our nation;
pray for souls to come to Christ; pray that the Lord prepare our hearts to welcome them.
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. Acts 20:28b
Pray that the Holy Spirit direct the hearts & minds of our church leaders; pray that the Lord protect them and their families; pray that the Church be manifest in our nation.
'Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28
Pray this prayer, giving into the Lord's hands, the burdens of your intercession time.
Heavenly Father, I praise You and I thank You for this time of intercession.
may You be glorified in all these things.
I now leave all these burdens at Your throne of Grace.
Lord Jesus, I praise You, and I thank You,
for Your never-ending patience and love of all that the Father has put at Your feet.
May Your Holy Spirit rest upon me, and bring me peace.
To the Honour and Glory of Your Name.
Amen.
Here are a few questions to help you explore more deeply your prayer experience:
Lord, I thank You for this time. I ask You to continue this work that you are doing in my heart, my mind, and my spirit. May You be glorified in this work, Lord. I ask You to bless me with a humble heart, a willing spirit, and an obedient will.
In Jesus' Name.
Amen.