Intercessory Prayer

Articles

Larry Walker
02/16/16 - Prayer

Intercessory Prayer and Misplaced Sympathy

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2

When we pray for others, what is it that motivates us? Is it sympathy for their physical condition, finances, or other material concerns? If so, there are times we may be standing between them and the Father’s design for them. Please consider this.

Does God sometimes use trials of this life to test us, to reprove us, to humble us and draw us closer to him? Surely no one will doubt that he does this at times. What if we don’t view our trials this way? What if our only prayers are to be relieved from our illness, or to have the material things we want, or to have God attend to our comfort or enjoyment? Aren’t we missing something?

Likewise, when we pray for our brothers and sisters, can we make the same mistake? Is our “prayer list” filled only with the physical needs of the sick and poor? Are we simply focused on relieving physical suffering or material need, so that they can get back to a life of putting worldly things first? Would our time be better spent praying for their souls?

When we pray “thy will be done” in our own lives, shouldn’t we also pray that about our brothers and sisters? If we intercede for them, don’t we want to intercede for their spiritual wellbeing above all fleshly things? Ought we not to pray that God will use their circumstances, whatever they might be, to his glory and to the spread of his holy reign among men?

When Jesus told his disciples he would die, Peter reacted in sympathy and resistance, “Far be it from thee, Lord.” See Jesus’ reaction: “Get behind me, Satan. For thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of man.” These should be sobering words for us. Our first reaction to our brethren’s physical ailments and fleshly predicaments is usually one of sympathy: “Be it far from thee.” But perhaps even as we pray for their relief, we should desire even more that they might allow God to use their ordeal, through sickness or health, through distress or success, to do his work on their souls.

“Holy Father, help my brother who is struggling with cancer. We know you hold power over all of these things in your hand. Be with him in his fight with this. But above all, in Jesus’ name, help him in this struggle to be confident of your guiding hand and to be established in his soul through this ordeal, to the glory of your eternal kingdom. Amen.”

Larry Walker

May 2009