Intercession - A Miracle in Every Prayer
Let us first remember that Jesus said, “My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations” Or, as NKJV reads, “My house shall be called a house of prayer.” [Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46]
Then Paul and Peter affirm that each one of us hosts the Holy Spirit, personally being “the temple of God.” “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” [1 Corinthians 3:16]. “For you are the temple of the living God.” [2 Corinthians 6:16]. “You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” [1 Peter 2:5-6].
Let’s take a fresh look at Luke 11:1-13 where Jesus teaches on prayer.
“Once, Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, ’Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.’ Jesus said, ‘This is how you should pray: ’Father, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation.’
Then, teaching them more about prayer, He used this story: ‘Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this - though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.
‘And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.’
‘You fathers - if your children ask for bread, do you give them a stone? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.’”
The key portion that I would like to highlight is the paragraph where the intercessor has a friend with a real issue or problem, i.e., needing divine food (three loaves of bread at midnight). He or she is struggling to survive in the darkest moment of their life. The intercessor, fully fed and at peace, first of all, reacts when he or she becomes aware of their friend’s plight. The intercessor then goes to the One who can resolve the issue, and in the allegory, he represents God and the angels and/or fellow believers (i.e., the children). Then Jesus interjects an extraordinary expression, “I say unto you”, or “Let me tell you”! When Jesus emphasises a truth, we need to sit up and take a second look at what He conveyed. Jesus gives us not only the guarantee that God will respond and step into the situation to minister to the one in need, He will supply above and beyond what the intercessor is praying for (as much as the person in need needs will be supplied)!
This is incredible! This whole teaching has deep spiritual truths and implications for us, but here Jesus guarantees us that when we intercede or pray or minister to another person in His Name, i.e., in an authentic, dynamic, continuous dialogue and relationship with Him, He will always come through with more than what we can anticipate or expect. We can be bold and assured of God’s provision every - yes, every - time we pray, minister or intercede for another person we care about and/or minister to.
Have the eagerness, zeal, and desire to come alongside all who need God’s provision in their life. What a guarantee of God’s abundant blessings that rests upon our role as “a house of prayer”, as kings and priests of our God, to bring heaven down to earth and distribute His unfailing love to those who ask and who are in need.
Blessings
Ben
Our thanks to Ben for this month’s Blog contribution
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