Who Am I - I Am an Intercessor

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV).

 

Many years ago in my first full-time pastorate I had a wonderful and instructive visit with one of the older members of the church. She was 92 years old at the time and somewhat frail, though she was able to live in her home. Her children were very attentive to her and cared for her each day making sure she had her medications and meals. Her body was deteriorating, though her mind was as sharp as any. During my visit she apologized profusely for not being able to attend church. She went on to say that she had heard many good things about the “young” pastor’s sermons. Wistfully she said she would love to be there to show her support. I told her that the greatest thing she could do for our church and for me personally was to pray daily that we would be the church God desired us to be. She agreed to pray daily.

 

Each time I went back to visit I was so encouraged by her faithfulness to keep her promise to pray. She kept a list of the specific things I would ask her to pray about. She loved to cross them off as I reported the success of her prayers. Indeed, God has shown in the Bible that he uses the prayers of his people in his kingdom-building work in this world. Many examples show that God often provides what his people ask for in prayer. It certainly made a difference to me!

 

Of course, I am not saying that God is something like a good-luck charm or a magic genie that grants our wishes. Our prayers need to be in line with God’s will for our lives and for his kingdom work in this world (cf. Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14-15). And while God will often answer our prayers aligning with his will, there are times when the answer may be different from what we ask. At times we don’t understand God’s will or his plans or even his ways (cf. Isaiah 55).

 

In 1 Timothy 2 Paul urges believers to intercede (pray) for everyone—including “kings and all those in authority”—because “this is good, and pleases God our Savior.” When we intercede faithfully for others, we become personally involved in God’s redemptive work. Each spiritual victory, I believe, is a testament to the fact that someone has been praying. Each of us are to be such intercessors!