The Hard Yards
Some things cannot be resolved through talk, no matter how positive or encouraging. There are problems that only prayer can resolve. I was reminded of this yesterday.
Someone close to me is going through a difficult time and I thought that sitting down with him to share my heart and give him sound advice would solve the problem and I could go home happy in the knowledge that I had helped a brother. Not so easy. It was a difficult conversation dealing with painful issues and there was very little that I could say. On top of that it seemed like nothing I said was actually being received – people need to open their hearts to receive council and that is not an easy thing to do.
During the conversation, whilst enduring a painful pause, I heard that all too familiar voice which said, “He needs you to pray for him”. You may be thinking ‘what’s the big deal, just pray’ but this was not a call to say a quick prayer and be done with it; rather it was a call to intercede for him and that is a whole different matter which requires real dedication, sacrifice and love. I knew in my heart The Lord was questioning whether I loved this person enough to make these hard yards.
You see God is full of grace and love – He is the embodiment of love! Yet His will for us is for Him to live through us which means we need to become full of grace and love. This cannot happen by saying a simple prayer and moving on. Simple prayer has its place, don’t get me wrong, but it is not the only way to engage with The Lord. Sometimes and for some particular situations The Lord calls for us to fight the battle daily on someone else’s behalf…to intercede for them, just as Christ does for us!
“Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died–more than that, who was raised to life–is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Romans 8:34
I’m no expert at intercession but I’m going to start by taking on the responsibility to pray for my friend daily and petition The Lord as if the problem was my own. I’ll keep you informed…