True Intercession

Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4-11), Solomon (1 Kings 8:28-50), Elijah (1 Kings 18:36-39), Daniel (Daniel 9:3-10) all prayed. Their nation needed God, and they did not exempt themselves even though they were ok. They were comfortable in their own right, and they could choose to turn a blind eye to the plight of the people. They decided to identify. Even with the people's rebellion and sin, they confessed and begged for mercy. And they got their desires met.

When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said: “Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses. “Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’ “They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.” I was cupbearer to the king. (Nehemiah 1:4-11)

Also read (1 Kings 8:28-50) and (1 Kings 18:36-39)

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my God and confessed: “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our ancestors, and to all the people of the land. “Lord, you are righteous, but this day we are covered with shame—the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, both near and far, in all the countries where you have scattered us because of our unfaithfulness to you. We and our kings, our princes and our ancestors are covered with shame, Lord, because we have sinned against you. The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; we have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. (Daniel 9:3-10)

True intercession is never about us. It is first about the Lord's will and purpose here on earth and then about the people. If your prayer is only about your little self in your little corner, then it cannot be said that you are in intercession. If you are not passionate enough to carry others like they are you, you do not know a thing about standing in the gap.

If you are still taking sides, you are in kindergarten. If you are always shifting blames, you need to consult Daniel or talk to Nehemiah. If you think you are the only one, God told Elijah he had other armies who could do the same thing. If the sins of your surroundings do not move you, you need to study the person of Christ. If all you say to God in prayer is 'bless me o Lord', we need to send you back to Sunday school. Life is only fulfilling when we live for others. Jesus came to give us His life; we need to do the same.

Beloved, consider this the next time you say a prayer; life is beyond you. It is about every other person. Amazon.com/anneajadi