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Intercession is an integral part of Christian life. God
has given us the freedom in Jesus Christ to approach the
throne of grace anytime for God’s favour. A child of God
is ornamented with the confidence to receive mercy and
help in time of need from God. The Bible says:
“Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the
throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help in time of need.” (Heb. 4:16).
God answers our prayers because today His heart is for
the ‘lost’ in the world. He showed His unfathomable love
for the nations through His Son Jesus Christ who was
sent to die on a cross in order to do away with sin. His
initiative to save the world declares the fact that His
plan is for everyone irrespective of religion, caste and
language. When God is at work to save the people from
every nation, tribe, language, inevitably it is the
obligation of Christians to intercede for the perishing
people in their respective cities and nations. “Also,
seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I
have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it,
because if it prospers, you too will prosper." Jer 29:7.
The Bible teaches us to ask forgiveness for the sins
committed in their ignorance by the our ancestors or the
people in the city (Neh. 1:6).
The Great Intercessor, Lord Jesus Christ, who sits in
the right hand of God prayed: “My prayer is not for them
alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me
through their message, that all of them may be one,
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they
also be in us so that the world may believe that you
have sent me.” John 17:20-21.
It is God’s plan under His perfect will that every
single person must know that God sent His Son to this
world so that the world can be saved through Him. Our
Lord’s heart longs to see His servants love each other
and work in unity and oneness. There cannot be a greater
message than that to the world which will draw people to
the Lord. Those who pray earnestly for any cause shall
work for it wholeheartedly. We are coming to an
agreement to work according to God’s will when we offer
prayers for the salvation of people. Through the
intercessory prayer in unity and in one accord among His
disciples enhances the spirit of oneness to stand for
the same cause.
Paul sought prayers for him, for the word of God to
spread. “Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of
the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as
it did also with you” 2Th 3:1. Ministers of the Word
need this prayer from the church so that they can
minister effectively to the people. A message prepared
without prayer lacks heavenly anointing and the
transformation power of God.
Moreover, God wants us to be an aroma to God through our
prayers and deeds. He has made us righteous to pray for
the lost. “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in
triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads
everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. “For
we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are
being saved and those who are perishing.” 2Cor 2:14-15.
Comfort zones of life sink the passion to intercede for
the less fortunate for our affluence gives us a feeling
of (false) security and protection. Mordecai prompted
Esther to speak up for her people in order that they can
be saved from being destroyed by the hands of Haman. He
alerted her regarding her election and positioning as
the queen of the nation for a time such as that! Esther
was ready to put her life in risk and resorted to
present herself before the king with her request. Prior
to that she wanted to fast and pray and requested her
people to fast and pray for her.
God, in His nature, will not be silent spectator when
someone is determined to put their life in risk for His
sake. He proves that the He is sovereign and supreme
authority of heaven and earth.
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