The past four months I have witnessed the beauty and power of intercession or intercessory prayer. In mid-January, my daughter embarked on joining the military in order to play in the military band. God has gifted her with musical talent that was evident when she was in fourth grade and played in her school’s band for the musical Beauty and the Beast. Her specialty is the saxophone, and she, along with some help from my husband, had to transpose all the music for her to play it on the saxophone.
She graduated college during COVID with a music performance degree because playing music brings her happiness. The military seemed like the way she could best pursue her passion and gift. What a blessing it will be to do what she loves as a career. God’s grace helped me experience great peace as she embarked on this path in life, knowing it is what she needs to do.
Photo courtesy of jessica mullen under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
When she left for the ten weeks of basic training in January, I was in total awe of the intercession of so many people, most of whom have never met her. They were people whose lives intersected mine who were willing to intercede for a stranger. How special it is to be connected to one another in faith. I think of one lady in Wisconsin whom, the first time I talked to her on the phone last August, somehow my daughter came up in conversation. From that very day, she has been faithfully praying for my daughter and my family as we stay in touch. I think of the pastors from Boston and India, the person at church that prayed with me the first time he heard, and the list goes on.
During basic training, when letters were a lifeline of encouragement to keep going, some of the strangers wrote letters to her. My daughter was sick throughout the whole ten weeks of basic training, which led to inflamed ribs that were painful. I know without a doubt it was all the intercession on her behalf that got her through it successfully and on schedule. My faith life has been strengthened through these prayers as well.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Shorter under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
People continued praying through the next step, which was ten weeks of music school that still included the physical endurance part. She had to do extra work in both the music and physical endurance parts, but it all paid off as this week she successfully passed the necessary tests for both parts. Again, I have to credit the power of intercession, and my heart is filled with deep gratitude.
I was reminded of two Scripture stories.
Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther’s instructions. –Esther 4:15-17 (NIV)
Queen Esther was undercover in the palace of King Xerxes. She invited the Jewish people to join in intercession and fast for three days and three nights—a significant number reminding me of Jesus being dead for the same amount of time before His resurrection. How beautiful that Queen Esther was going to be doing the same thing for the Jewish people. God intervened in the situation so that both Queen Esther and the Jewish people were saved.
“My prayer is not for them [the disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” –John 17:20-24 (NIV)
I find this Scripture passage so encouraging. Jesus prayed prayers of intercession for His disciples AND each one of us! It makes me feel valued and loved that Jesus cares so much for me. What a beautiful example Jesus gave us. He also wants us all to be united—in Him and with one another.
What a privilege we have as the Body of Christ to journey in faith with one another. We are united in faith, though our lives can be so different from each other. What a joy it is to follow in Jesus’ footsteps to intercede, love, and be unified.
Photo courtesy of Lewis_Satini under Creative Commons License (CC BY 2.0)
My heart is filled with deep gratitude and gives praise to God for His goodness. I also thank each of you that have offered prayers for my family. You and your faithful prayers mean the world to me.
Be encouraged this week to…
… participate in the gift of intercession with those in need.
… reflect on the specialness of Jesus praying for you.
… give praise and glory to God for His goodness.
… let people know you appreciate their faithful, prayerful support.
REFLECTION:
Is there a time when others came together for intercession on your behalf?
Do you take time to intercede for others in need?
Most of all, I’m writing to encourage you to pray with gratitude to God. Pray for all men with all forms of prayers and requests as you intercede with intense passion. And pray for every political leader and representative, so that we would be able to live tranquil, undisturbed lives, as we worship the awe-inspiring God with pure hearts. It is pleasing to our Savior-God to pray for them. He longs for everyone to embrace his life and return to the full knowledge of the truth. –1 Timothy 2:1-4 (TPT)
