He Could Not Get There on His Own

“So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles.  Then they lowered the sick man on his

mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.  Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, “Young man, your sins are forgiven.”  Luke 5:18-20

As I was reading this Scripture, it struck me that God’s intercessors are often just like the friends that took off the tiles on the roof and lowered the man down right in front of Jesus.  At the feet of Jesus the man received the healing he wanted so very much.

There are times that it is not enough to whisper a quick prayer and be on our way.  Yes, God hears all our prayers.  But sometimes, real intercession is needed.  We may need to walk with someone a mile or two by listening to more than just the request.  We may need to listen long enough to understand where this person has been and what has caused them to reach the point where we are meeting them today.

Once we have accepted that God is calling us to lift them on their ‘mat’ of cancer, depression, addiction, financial need, and more; then we must carry them in prayer to the foot of his throne.  There before our Lord, we must pour out the concerns of this hurting one’s heart to God in heaven. 

There is a point where, as an intercessor, you may feel the pull upon your own heart as you pour out in prayer the pain of the one you are interceding for.  It is in that moment that you may find tears pouring down your own cheeks as you humbly lay the needs of another before our Lord.

We can all pray.  We can all reach out to God.  Yet there are times in life that we cannot quite get there on our own.  Just as the paralyzed man needed his friends to get him to the feet of Jesus, there are times that we may all need someone to love us enough, to love us as Christ tells us to love one another, who will carry us in prayer to the very feet of Jesus. 

Something beautiful happens to us when we love enough to listen, really listen and then truly intercede in prayer on behalf of someone else.  As we lay them before the Lord, we experience the joy of knowing that Jesus will answer.  We feel the power and presence of the Holy Spirit as the answer to the prayer is being brought forth.

If you know someone who is in need; someone who cannot quite get there on their own, call them.  Go to them.  Listen and offer to carry them in prayer to the feet of Jesus.  For it is at his feet that you both will be blessed.

Today, I thank God for all the times he wore me out carrying others to him in prayer.  For in this, I have been completely, truly blessed.

By Jacqui – One of God’s Intercessors