A Gift Not a Treat

 A Gift – Not a Treat

A gift is something given willingly without compensation.  A gift may be something needed. A treat is something that provides you with enjoyment. (Merriam-Webster)

Intercessory prayer is a gift.  It’s an act of the intercessor giving the gift first of listening and then of going to the throne room of God on behalf of someone else and lifting up their prayer needs before our heavenly Father.  Intercessory prayer is not a treat.  It is not someone meeting with an intercessor to receive something “extra” or a “bonus”. 

Prayer is the lifeblood of our relationship with God.  Receiving the gift of intercession is acknowledging before another and before God that we cannot do everything on our own.  We acknowledge that our strength is not enough.  Our wisdom falls short.  We are unable to heal ourselves.  Even our ability to provide for ourselves comes from God.

Why am I being so specific today?  As one of God’s intercessors, I frequently pray with and intercede for several leaders and missionaries.  God has allowed me to witness their trials, their hard work and the dedication they have in serving him.  The Lord has given me eyes to see and ears to hear how very much they are in need of prayer.

The key word here is need.  We all need prayer.  There are times it appears someone may be viewing taking the time to meet with an intercessor as a treat.  I believe, as intercessors, we are giving them a gift by coming alongside and standing with them before God to seek his help, his provisions, his healing, his discernment, his knowledge, his answers.

When someone views prayer as a treat, they become more likely to cancel their prayer time so they can attend another meeting. They cancel because they have too much work and deadlines to meet, so they don’t have time that day.  (Isn’t God capable of giving us a productivity we cannot have on our own?)  Sometimes, they even cancel because they are viewing prayer as something that they want, but don’t necessarily need or even deserve.  This breaks my heart.

As one of God’s intercessors, I have learned that God truly wants to meet our needs.  He wants to hear from us.  He is waiting to provide, to comfort, to heal and to remind us that we are not alone.  He is with us.  He Loves Us! 

The next time you have an appointment with an intercessor.  Don’t cancel.  Let the person requesting your presence for a meeting know that you already have a meeting you’ve committed to.  Walk away from your desk or whatever work that is staring you in the face and go meet with the intercessor.  Accept the gift of prayer that your intercessor is waiting to give you.  Accept the gift of the answers that God is waiting to bless you with. 

By Jacqui – One of God’s Intercessors