Not long ago, I was contacted by a lovely Christian who broke down as he tried to speak with me on the phone. Patiently waiting as he tried to control his emotions, I learned that he was facing a life-changing challenge and even had occasional suicidal thoughts. In the circumstances, only a very few Christians were aware, on a “need to know” basis. Although we have been friends for a long time, I was brought into his confidence because it would affect a meeting we were both involved with.
The phone call came during a fascinating programme, and I was able to ignore it during the conversation, but when the phone call ended, and I continued watching, my mind was almost constantly on the recent conversation. And as I considered my friend’s limited options, I found myself praying for him. This continued as I went to bed and before sleep came, and continued the following morning as soon as I awoke. I realised that, in one sense, I was trying to intercede with God on his behalf, encouraging me to look for a definition. A simple alternative suggested by one dictionary was” to intervene on behalf of another.” Is this what I was trying to do? My online Bible directed me to several uses of this word in the Old Testament and the following in the New Testament.
Romans 8:26 and 27 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Hebrews 7:25 Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.
Isn’t it amazing that we know the God who is more aware of my Christian friend’s needs than I am?
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes it is more difficult to help with other people’s problems than our own because we don’t know what to say or do. Thank you, Father, for your constant awareness and intercession. AMEN