During this Lent season, we’ve been practicing disciplines that help create the space in our own lives to grow in our awareness of God’s presence. And the beautiful thing about being intentional in our journey toward Christlikeness is that we begin to bless others.
Our hearts turn outward, toward the people and the world that God so loves.
We begin to experience the joy of being like Christ in our world.
And many times, this looks like participating in what God is doing through intercession. Because even until His dying breath, Jesus was interceding on our behalf. And in Romans, the Word says that He continues to intercede for us as He sits at the right hand of the Father in Heaven. Intercessory prayer is simply standing in the gap.
It’s praying on behalf of another person, community or nation by intentionally being in God’s presence for someone else, and offering prayers that they may not be able to make at the time. It’s asking for God’s will to be done in their lives on earth, as it is in heaven. As we offer up prayers on behalf of other people, we are petitioning for them to experience the good news of His love, to live with the assurance of God’s promises, and to experience God Himself.
Intercession is an expression of our love for God and for the people in our lives.
Pray through the excerpts of Psalm 126 from the Message Version
It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,
when God returned Zion’s exiles.
We laughed, we sang,
we couldn’t believe our good fortune.
We were the talk of the nations—
“God was wonderful to them!”
God was wonderful to us;
we are one happy people.
And now, God, do it again—
bring rains to our drought-stricken lives
So those who planted their crops in despair
will shout praise at the harvest,
So those who went off with heavy hearts
will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.
Amen.
In Jesus, we are clothed in His righteousness, we are sons and daughters of the Most High. In His likeness, just as He intercedes on our behalf, we get to do that for others. And in Jesus’ name, we pray, “Lord, do it again.”
So how do we begin to participate in the joy of being like Christ through intercession?
One of the ways we can do this, is by adopting the language and prayers of the Quakers. Quakers often say, “I will hold you in the light,” when they desire for someone peace and healing in mind, body and spirit.
The light represents the presence of Jesus in everyone, and to hold someone in the light of Christ, means to seek for that person to experience God’s presence, His healing, and His redeeming power in all circumstances. It’s asking God to illuminate His will in their lives, to surround them with His light, joy and peace.
So whether we are helping carry the burdens of loved ones, of praying for the sick in our midst, or heavy with desire for justice in our nation, we can hold these to the light of Christ within us.
This week, let’s practice participating in what God is doing by interceding for those God has placed on our hearts. Fast a meal, one day or for one week, and use that time to pray on behalf of someone else – maybe it’s a coworker, a parent, a sibling, a friend. Maybe it’s praying for those in Mozambique or in our community. Let’s participate in what God is doing in the here and now. Let’s stand in the gap.
Let’s pray:
God, thank You for standing in the gap for me. I want to be more and more like You. Amen.
And for parents, a prayer of blessing over your child,
Child, may you experience the joy of being like Christ in all that you do, and in all that you are. Amen.