Today, I am reflecting on those who have gone before us as Intercessors called by God to serve in prayer. I remember reading a story about George Muller. George ran an orphanage that served over 10,000 children during his lifetime.
The orphanage had run out of food. But, when the cook came to him to see what was to be done for the children’s breakfast he told her to set out the cups and plates as usual. Then he went away to pray. George didn’t call anyone that morning. He went to God in prayer.
A short time later there was a knock on the door and there stood the town baker. In his arms was a huge bag of bread. He told the cook that the Lord had awakened him at 3:00 a.m. and told him to bake bread for the children at the orphanage. He handed her the bread and left. She carried in the bread and called for George.
It seemed only moments went by when again there was a knock at the door. The milk delivery man told her that his milk wagon had broken a wheel and having no way to keep all the milk cold, he wondered if she could use it. George came to help carry in the milk and simply told the children they must first thank God for their breakfast that morning.
George never panicked. He didn’t try to see how he could ‘fix the problem’. In great faith, he prayed and waited on God to provide. What a beautiful faith in God and belief in prayer this intercessor had.
“I live in the spirit of prayer. I pray as I walk about, when I lie down and when I rise up. And the answers are always coming.” George Muller (1805 – 1898) Evangelist and Director of Ashley Down Orphanage
If you have not yet read the book, Intercessor about Rees Howells and you are an intercessor, I urge you to find, borrow or purchase a copy to read. Rees learned the cost of being one of God’s intercessors in a profound and costly way. Yet, I dare say he was blessed beyond measure as an intercessor. Rees experienced prevailing prayer in a way many never have. He saw what God did to turn the outcome of a war in answer to deep intercession.
“Before God will use you in intercession, it will cost you. The intercessors love God so much, they want to obey. They will pay the price because of their love for the Savior.”
Rees Howells
“The path of the intercessor is the way of the cross. It is also the way of fellowship with Jesus on a very deep level. It is a sacrifice of love. The intercessor has the sentence of death (death to self) in himself. In dying to self in order to lift someone else up, we identify with Jesus’ death.” Rees Howells (1879-1950) Intercessor and founder of the Bible College of Wales
The greatest intercessor we will ever know is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, interceding for us. Romans 8:34
Therefore, he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25 The night before his crucifixion, Jesus Christ was interceding for his disciples and for us! Read his prayer in John 17.
Our Lord and Savior not only came to show us how to live for God – Not only came to die on a cross for our Salvation – He is our intercessor! The Wailing Wall is no longer as close as we can get to God. A Saint is not as close as we can get to God. We can pray directly to God in Jesus’ name. Jesus Christ is our intercessor.
Some days intercession is hard. It’s wearying and you may even feel quite poured out. I know I have experienced that poured out feeling. But, it is then, friend, when we are truly feeling the cost of interceding for others that we can be reminded of the one who is interceding on our behalf – Jesus Christ.
I hope that you and I and all the other intercessors who will one day follow us may continue to learn from those who have gone before us as intercessors. Will you live “in the spirit of prayer”? Will you pay the cost? Will you pray as Jesus taught us to pray? Let’s do it together. Let us intercede as long as God calls us.
By Jacqui – One of God’s Intercessors
Comments