Alistair Begg reminded me, rebuked me, invigorated me concerning the opportunity and privilege of intercessory prayer earlier this week.
The “miracle” of radio came through again. Isn’t it amazing. This man can speak into a microphone, and I can be cruising around in my loader and I can hear what God has spoken into his heart.
And a few days ago that subject was intercessory prayer. And he basically said that we have to believe that God is moved when we pray, something happens, we can’t really explain all the interconnections with sovereignty and providence, etc. but God tells us to pray.
We should pray as though it means something because it does.
And we have the fantastic opportunity to stand in the gap, to be the ambassador for other earth dwellers, some of whom couldn’t care less about God at the moment.
But we can stand between God and man and intercede. A clay pot, an earthy vessel, just me, just you, believers in Jesus Christ implementing part of the “package” of Christianity that Christ paid for, the ability and opportunity to be an intercessor.
This morning I pictured myself in just this way, in between heaven and earth so to speak, bringing my prayers before God for my children, friends, coworkers, church family, my whole “list” before God, knowing heaven listened.
So thanks, Alistair. I knew this stuff, but I needed my focus sharpened, my vision of prayer invigorated with the words of truth from a sovereign God through his human instrument. The Holy Wind through a human heart, spoken into a microphone and broadcast for millions to hear.
Is that groovy or what?
And thank you, Almighty God, King of heaven and earth, Lord God of all, for blessing us with such a gift as radio and such a gift as your Church as we use this mighty instrument in behalf of your kingdom.
Your will be done, Father.
Philippians 4.4-9 (The Message)
4-5Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
6-7Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
8-9Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, graciousthe best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
