He . . . wondered that there was no intercessor . . . —Isaiah 59:16
The reason many of us stop praying and become hard toward God is that we only have an emotional interest in prayer. It sounds good to say that we pray, and we read books on prayer which tell us that prayer is beneficial— that our minds are quieted and our souls are uplifted when we pray. But Isaiah implied in this verse that God is amazed at such thoughts about prayer.Worship and intercession must go together; one is impossible without the other. Intercession means raising ourselves up to the point of getting the mind of Christ regarding the person for whom we are praying (see Philippians 2:5). Instead of worshiping God, we recite speeches to God about how prayer is supposed to work. Are we worshiping God or disputing Him when we say, “But God, I just don’t see how you are going to do this”? This is a sure sign that we are not worshiping. When we lose sight of God, we become hard and dogmatic. We throw our petitions at His throne and dictate to Him what we want Him to do. We don’t worship God, nor do we seek to conform our minds to the mind of Christ. And if we are hard toward God, we will become hard toward other people.Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God, or have we become hard and dogmatic?Do you find yourself thinking that there is no one interceding properly? Then be that person yourself. Be a person who worships God and lives in a holy relationship with Him. Get involved in the real work of intercession, remembering that it truly is work-work that demands all your energy, but work which has no hidden pitfalls. Preaching the gospel has its share of pitfalls, but intercessory prayer has none whatsoever.
March 30, 2012
Journal Entry for Today-JDV
Lord, I am not experiencing what Chambers is writing about…. becoming hard and dogmatic toward You. He writes that we can try to dictate to You, throwing our petitions at the throne like we are telling You what You ought to be doing, how You are to answer our prayers.
I have been frustrated when You have not responded to my prayers and petitions like I want, but it seems to me that You know a great deal more about what is good for me and mine and those for whom I pray. I trust You to respond in the ways that are best, as you know all things, including our future for eternity.
This lesson seems to hold no relevance for me until I get to the part where he writes…” Are we worshiping God in a way that will raise us up to where we can take hold of Him, having such intimate contact with Him that we know His mind about the ones for whom we pray? Are we living in a holy relationship with God….?” Lord I truly strive for this.
And God says…”When you seek Jesus, and through Him a daily, hourly and moment by moment relationship with Me, you draw closer and closer to Me, being transformed into the image of Christ. As you live out your intimate daily relationship with Me you will feel, and know with certainty, that you know My mind. It is often not the kind of knowledge you can share with others, but you begin to know and understand nonetheless, the very mind of Christ. Your petitions turn to worship and praise as you begin to understand and know without a doubt your Father in heaven will not withhold any good thing from you.”
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
