Conversation Conversations

Week 19 — Intercession

"Therefore He (Jesus) is always able to save those who approach God through Him, since He forever lives to make intercession for them." —Hebrews 7:25

Jump to day: Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday

"The Spirit too helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in speech." —Rm 8:26

Conversation:

Jesus: I lived a simple life for 30 years. I had for three years a public ministry of teaching, healing and deliverance. Now I have been interceding for almost 2,000 years. You must ask for things, but many don't ask; so I ask in their place.
Intercessor: Jesus, You're interceding for me right now. Many others join You. How impoverished my life would be if not for You and Your intercessors! I ask You for some things, but I usually omit the most important matters. Your constant intercession has made my life worth living.

Response:

Intercede with Jesus, Eternal High Priest.

Monday

"Thus I have searched among them for someone who could build a wall or stand in the breach before Me to keep Me from destroying the land; but I found no one." —Ez 22:30

Conversation:

Jesus: I search for intercessors daily, in fact, hourly, especially before terrible disasters. Did you ever wonder why you wake up in the middle of the night? I was looking for an intercessor then. Some of you are called to intercede full-time day and night (1 Tm 5:5; Lk 18:7). Accept My call.
Intercessor: Jesus, sometimes I groan inside. I feel like I'm in labor. Then all of a sudden it goes away (Gal 4:19). Sometimes I pray two or three times, and then I'm content (2 Cor 12:8-10). Now I know what You're doing.

Response:

Intercede as long as you are able.

Tuesday

"As long as Moses kept his hands raised up, Israel had the better of the fight, but when he let his hands rest, Amalek had the better of the fight." —Ex 17:11

Conversation:

Jesus: Most people, even Christians, think they're merely pawns in the game of life, but I've made you very important. Whether or not you intercede makes the difference between victory or defeat for My chosen people. Remember when Abraham stopped interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah? (Gn 18:32)
Intercessor: Jesus, I've always wanted my life to mean something, so I should rejoice in having critical intercessory responsibilities. Yet I don't want to have too much depend on me.

Response:

Intercede for international leaders and affairs.

Wednesday

"The four who carried him were unable to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they began to open up the roof over the spot where Jesus was." —Mk 2:3-4

Conversation:

Jesus: All have sinned (Rm 3:23). The world is in spiritual intensive-care. Millions lay paralyzed on stretchers. We desperately need stretcher-bearers, intercessors. Will you serve in this worldwide emergency?
Intercessor: Jesus, You make me feel as if I should be interceding always.

Response:

Intercede for the four billion unbelievers.

Thursday

"Elijah was only a man like us, yet he prayed earnestly that it would not rain and no rain fell on the land for three years and six months. When he prayed again, the sky burst forth with rain." —Jas 5:17-18

Conversation:

Jesus: The world considers the great intercessors "nobodies," but in fact they are the most powerful people on the face of the earth. Those seemingly doing great things are merely getting the publicity for what has been done by someone else's quiet, hidden intercession.
Intercessor: Jesus, You lead me to think many of my activities are wasted and I would do better in quiet intercession. Maybe I've just done what everybody else is doing and not chosen the better part (Lk 10:42). Forgive me.

Response:

Intercede for longer periods of time.

Friday

"The consummation of all is close at hand. Therefore do not be perturbed; remain calm so that you will be able to pray." —1 Pt 4:7

Conversation:

Jesus: If you knew the world was to end today, would that change your prayer time? Would you pray more? Since you don't know the day or the hour (Mt 25:13), you should pray as if this was your last prayer on earth. Then you'll always be prepared.
Intercessor: Jesus, I've done what You said and I've been interceding more. However, after a few minutes, I don't know what to pray for.
Jesus: Seek above all the gift of prophecy (1 Cor 14:1).

Response:

Intercede after several minutes of quiet time.

Saturday

"I solemnly assure you, the man who has faith in Me will do the works I do, and greater far than these. Why? Because I go to the Father, and whatever you ask in My name I will do." —Jn 14:12-13

Conversation:

Jesus: Intercession makes your life worth living. You're no longer the helpless spectator and victim of circumstances. You make the news rather than read it.
Intercessor: "I do believe! Help my lack of trust" (Mk 9:24).

Response:

Ask others to intercede for you to grow in faith.

Excerpts from Scripture are taken from The New American Bible, copyright 1970 by the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Washington, D.C., and are used by permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.

Nihil obstat: Reverend Robert J. Buschmiller, July 13, 1995.

Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of Cincinnati, July 25, 1995.

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