Freelance intercession

Freelance intercession

Intercession is the act of praying to God on behalf of another person.

I don’t think any of us have any problems with praying for things we want. It’s very natural to care exquisitely about our own small world interests. All you need is a little faith and a few wants and powerful motivations develop to nag God until he eventually relents. After all; even the unjust judge gave in to the widows supplications for no other reason than that she might not wear him out with her asking (Luke 18:1-8).

It’s also easy to understand the idea of praying with another about their wants or needs – perhaps we can call it “commissioned intercession”. Maybe we reason, banding together makes for a more persuasive argument.

Now “commissioned intercession” might be effective if the person has invited you to pray but what if they haven’t? What if we take it upon ourselves to ask God to intervene in someone’s life without their knowledge and/or express permission; call it “freelance intercession”? Surely, in the interests of preserving free will God would respond to our prayers with “great idea, but my hands are tied”. Isn’t it true that God set up the world with all its antecedent problems such that we can choose him or otherwise? Isn’t that the whole point? If we pray “God, let it be that he comes to know you” what possible power can such a prayer have? Do we imagine that God would conspire then to set up circumstances to trigger a salvation event or perhaps shine his “light” in such a way that a person has little choice to respond in the affirmative? Because if we do this begs the question, why would he wait for us to pray? Doesn’t he love everyone and desire to be in relationship with all? Should this be so, presumably he’s actively engaging all of us in some kind of dialogue or did until we told him to “get out of our face”.

So “freelance intercession”; how could it possibly make a difference in another’s life?

First, let’s set the scene. The world, according to Jesus, actually belongs to Satan.

I John 5:19

We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.

This all goes back to the time of the great choice (original sin) where even the physical world was infected and corrupted by the disobedience of man (Genesis 3:16-19). This is mankind’s pitiful legacy and we all live in its shadow.

Second, we are in a spiritual battle whether we are aware of it or not.

Ephesians 6:11-13

11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Third, we are given all that we need to avoid being ensnared. Take courage from the fact that by simply resisting the devil he will flee from you (James 4:7). Or remember the 72 that Jesus commissioned and sent out ahead of him two-by-two “like lambs amongst wolves”.

Luke 10:17-20

17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."

Satan is a master tactician and uses many strategies to distract candidates for eternity from the truth. All of these we can counter through faithful prayer.

Did you get all that; 1. the world belongs to Satan and 2. whether we acknowledge it or not we are engaged in a spiritual battle 3. but it is a battle we can win.

Now for the argument:

The bible frequently calls us to intercede physically in others’ lives when we see injustice or poverty or hunger or thirst etc. In fact we are told that by giving food to the hungry or water to the thirsty, says Jesus “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Mathew 25:31-46). To God, the practical counts as spiritual devotion.

It should not surprise us then that in the same way we are directed to care for one another practically we are called to do so spiritually. In the same way we are able to affect positive change in another’s life practically we are able to affect positive change spiritually.

For our benefit God chooses to act through us for the betterment of the world. So the sake of our personal/spiritual growth, God wants us to experience the privilege and the lessons of acting in his behalf.

Remember the Lord’s prayer:

Mathew 6:9-15

9"This, then, is how you should pray: " 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.[a]' 14For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Notice this detail, “…your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”. Jesus suggests that when we pray we should ask that God’s kingdom come into the world and that God’s will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.

Jesus says a great deal about the “kingdom” and we sense its presence around us. God is sovereign in this Kingdom and the extent to which his Kingdom has come is the extent to which the world is subjugated to God’s will. If Satan does indeed have control of the world as Jesus says, then the coming of God’s kingdom on earth weakens Satan’s control and frustrates his plans.

When we pray for others, when we agree to stand for the interests of the oppressed, when we care enough to feed the hungry we engage in a spiritual battle. And God gives us a power to enact real positive change in the world.

Mathew18:18-20

18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[d]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Whatever we bind on earth is bound in heaven and in heaven (though prayer) is bound of earth.

The practical and the spiritual are always intertwined. Only faith expressed as action counts. Jesus’ crucifixion produces our redemption. The original sin corrupts not just the sinner but the land as well (which gives forth thistles). Jesus’ commissioning of the 72 allowed them to drive out demons (spiritual) and protected them from snakes and scorpions (practical).

So let’s return to my original question, “freelance intercession”; how could it possibly make a difference in another’s life?

Satan actively poisons the world.

John 10:10

10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Satan blinds unbelievers from clearly seeing Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:4

4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

When we intercede in prayer on another’s behalf we stand against any plans Satan’s has for that person. By interceding we can restore sight to the spiritually blind. By taking any initiative in faith in the interests of another we establish something more of God’s kingdom on earth. Jesus gives us authority over the physical and spiritual realms. You have authority to pray on another’s behalf in doing so provide protection and create a haven for them to see Jesus clearly. It’s still their choice, but it’s a choice not a foregone conclusion.

We don’t often exercise this authority because 1. we don’t believe we have it 2. we don’t care enough about others to bother.

So my challenge to you is recognize that you have an important role to play in others’ lives. That you can bring to bear great affect in others’ lives. That practically and in pray, through faith, you can intercede and in so doing extend God’s kingdom in the world.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

So care enough to pray and believe that God will accomplish in the spiritual realm what you hope for in the physical realm. Satan will be cast down from heaven “like lightening” from the spiritual to the physical. And remember…

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

Practical religion

Practical religion

William Wilberforce was born on 24 August 1759 in Hull, the son of a wealthy merchant. He studied at Cambridge University where he began a lasting friendship with the future prime minister, William Pitt the Younger. In 1780, Wilberforce became member of parliament for Hull (21 yrs old), later representing Yorkshire. His life changed completely when he became an evangelical Christian, and in 1784 (25 yrs old) his Christian faith prompted him to become interested in social reform, particularly the improvement of factory conditions in Britain.

The trip from Africa to the Americas took at least six weeks. A ship often had 30 crewmen and carried about 300 slave men, women, and children. For the slaves, it was a long horrible trip. Not only did they worry about what the future held for them, but also they endured inhumane conditions on the ship. Each slave had both feet shackled to other slaves. The sleeping area, which was below the deck, was composed of un-sanded plank floors that had only 18 inches or less of headroom. The narrow space, lacked light and fresh air, sitting was impossible, and it was difficult to change positions without hurting one's neighbor. Things were worse when bad weather was encountered. During these times, slaves stayed below for extended periods. After the storm, seamen often found dead Africans intertwined with others who were still alive. The journey was long and it is estimated that of 20 million slaves, half did not make it to the coast.

On Sunday 28 October 1787 (28 yrs old), William Wilberforce wrote in his diary: "God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the Reformation of society." For the rest of his life, William Wilberforce dedicated his life as a Member of Parliament to opposing the slave trade and working for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire.

Wilberforce was persuaded to lobby for the abolition of the slave trade and for 18 years he regularly introduced anti-slavery motions in parliament. The campaign was supported by many members of the Clapham Sect and other abolitionists who raised public awareness of their cause with pamphlets, books, rallies and petitions. In 1807, the slave trade was finally abolished, but this did not free those who were already slaves. It was not until 1833 (75yrs old) that an act was passed giving freedom to all slaves in the British empire.

Wilberforce retired from politics in 1825 and died on 29 July 1833, shortly after the act to free slaves in the British empire passed through the House of Commons. He was buried near his friend Pitt in Westminster Abbey. Wilberforce had campaigned for 45 years to abolish slavery.

In the world but not of the world

Real spiritual devotion can be seen by how it impacts the world.

Micah 6: 6 With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? 7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

Real religion can be seen by how it impacts the world.

James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Real faith can be seen by how it impacts the world.

James 2:14What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. 16If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 9You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless[d]? 21Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"[e] and he was called God's friend. 24You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Your great work of faith

What will be your great work of faith?

How big is the vision for your life?

What will be your great adventure?

What are you prepared to give up to find out what he has in mind?

Feeling inadequate? Good! Recognising you are incapable is the first step:

2 Cor 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The second step is recognising that God is capable.

The third step is making our practical daily decisions in faith.

It's all about faith.