Prayer warriors have risen above average Christians throughout history. We can turn to Evan Robers who devoted himself to the ministry of prayer for the last 25 years of his life exclusively. He felt he could touch the whole world more effectively through praying than preaching. He once said he never worked harder at anything than praying.
I think of Amy Carmichael. She interceded for the orphaned children in India and rescued many of them. She introduced those children to Jesus. Then, there is Jackie Pullinger and Carole Ward, both missionaries, Jackie in Hong Kong, Carole in Uganda. Both excel in the prayer ministry to this day. We could consider John Hyde, Reese Howells, E.M. Bounds, Bertha Smith, Lottie Moon, Leonard Ravenhill, and Ann Graham Lotz. All of these were mighty in prayer or are still interceding to this day.
One person grew mighty in prayer excelling them all. His exploits are legendary. His fervent intercessions can be heard all hours of the night and day. He is doggedly determined. Resolute to stand in the gap between the needs of people and God. This man, like so many others rose early to pray. He was no stranger to fasting and prayer. He is without equal. You may have read about him. His name is Jesus.
Hebrews 7:25 (NASB)
25 Therefore He is able
also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always
lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus always lives to make intercession for us. That means He is praying for us at all times. Everyday. He does not miss. His prayer list is long. His faith is enormous. His perseverance without equal. He prays for us who draw near to God through the shed blood of Jesus.
Jesus' ministry now is to make intercession. To pray for us and to come in between us and His Father. Nobody can pray like Jesus. God answers His prayers, because He prays them perfectly according to the will of the Father and with perfect faith.
Right now, Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father. He has the ear of God. His Father is accessible. Night and day Jesus is fervently pleading our causes. That is His ministry until He raptures the church and is called to unlock the seals on the book of judgment. Soon after He will return on a white horse to execute vengeance on all those who swear loyalty to the Antichrist. For now, He intercedes.
Heaven is a noisy place. There is the worship of the four living creatures and twenty-four elders in Revelation 4. There are peels of thunder and lightning around the throne of God. A heavenly chorus is echoed night and day about the worthiness of the Lamb of God. And Jesus is devoted to praying for His church. Nobody has ever out prayed Jesus nor ever will. May we find comfort in this truth today. He prays for us.
- Describe how knowing Jesus intercedes for you makes you feel.
- Contemplate what things He may be praying for you these days.
- Take your requests to Him and leave Him to His ministry of intercession.
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