Intercessory Prayer

Good morning! :-)

As I read my devotional this morning, I was hit by a reality I already knew in my heart but that Oswald Chambers put into words.  I love these kinds of confirmations.

Just as I learned when my father died 18 years ago that the ultimate healing is death and that when I pray for healing, I must be prepared for that reality... today I learned intercessory prayer is more than asking God to intercede on behalf of someone-- to make their circumstances better or to ease their hurting soul.

Here's what Chambers wrote:

"The thing to watch in intercession is that no soul is patched up; a soul must get through into contact with the life of God."

Hmmm... so often I've found intercessory prayer (at least when I pray for someone) so shallow.  I mean, how can I tell God what I want Him to do for someone?  So my intercession is often quite generic:  Lord, guide them, lead them. 

But I am seeing that intercession means I want to pray the heart of God, not the "patching up" of a soul.  Wow!  That's deeper :-)  So, I will ask now, Father-God, what is your heart for this person?  What does she need to experience in her circumstances so that her soul will get into contact with Your Life, Life-in-Christ? 

I don't want to see a soul patched-up; rather, I want to see a soul crushed and made anew, like the clay in the Potter's Hands.  Yes, this is how I can intercede for those I love.  Thank You, Lord!

Linda

Moderator

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TruthHimself/