The Trinity of Intercessory Prayer
Good Morning Friends,
Despite our many sins, Jesus always intercedes for us before the Father. He responds to our reruns of sinning with an infinite arsenal of responses letting go of what was and embracing something new…forgiveness. Friends, sinning does not take much in the way of imagination. It is forgiving that is the creative act of love. And perhaps none is more formidable than The Trinity of Intercessory Prayer.
Scripture: Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves. Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[a] in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
John 14:8-21 (NIV)
Message: Perhaps Jesus shows the Father his wounds, through which we are saved…the price paid for redemption. Perhaps we are saved each morning as Jesus without a word intervenes for us joining the Idea of Love with the Power of Creation and the Influence of Spirit in Prayer for us. And as in heaven we too on earth need to do the same with our prayers. Oh friends, this is so much more than being sympathetic to another’s needs. Be humbled because Jesus prays for us in our dullness a bright light of love… a river of life filling us to overflowing. With this unity Jesus defends us as a witness to this idea, influence and power of prayer creating something new on earth as in heaven. The Advocate, the Good Attorney and the Judge are of one mind in prayer. So too on earth there are many ways to love one’s neighbor, but intercessory prayer—praying on behalf of other people—has got to be one of the most powerful. Prayer is the most potent force known to humanity. It connects us, changes us and transforms us. Pray unceasingly for each other not in sympathy but in unity. Bring it to the Lord, filled up with the Lord in an honest conversation with God that one of my friends says must be what it is like to be in heaven. Engage in the process of divine prayer.
Examine your conscience before you pray, and repent. Quiet your mind and come into God’s presence. Put aside your own agenda and ask the Lord to give a sense of the things God wants you to pray. Reflect on what God is leading you to pray. Pray for the things on God’s heart as they apply to our own intentions related to renewal and unity. Stand firm in faith, and wait patiently to see God work in power to overcome obstacles. Pray we remember and are thankful of answered prayers and praise God for the work of prayer in our lives.
Pray for the rebirth of those in Church Universal. Pray before we take leave of this earth that we touch a bit of heaven. Pray we let go of what kills us and are freed to what saves us. Pray we not loose heart but believe in the reality of redemption. Pray for the person and not just the circumstance. Pray we are joined with the mind and perspective of God in intercessory prayer.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 