Turkey’s earthquake, Ukrainian war, freak road accidents, sudden loss of a loved one, cancer diagnosis of a friend, fights within the church, persecution of missionaries… Just within the past year, each of us would have surely heard of all of these news stories and more. And just like how the News broadcast agencies and Social media trends move on from one story that has become old to another that is gaining public interest, we move on too. A quick ‘God, help them’ is all we tend to say at times.
This lent, shall we mature in our roles as Priestly Intercessors? Shall we bring our prayers as an incense offering acceptable to the Lord?
The New Testament refers to every believer as a priest, as belonging to a royal priesthood. Understanding priesthood from the Old Testament point of view, we see it as ‘functioning as an intermediary between God and the people, to take people’s petitions and sacrifices to God.’ This role is crucial, as Priests have special access to the altar that was close to the Most Holy place where God dwelt. With Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice on the cross, there is now no more need for blood sacrifices to be offered. Yet, one of the priestly duties that are essential even today is intercession - praying and seeking God’s favor on someone’s behalf.
Regarding the importance of priestly intercession, we are not without examples. Jesus, in His High Priestly prayer, and the prayers from the cross, interceded for others – His disciples, all believers, and those who crucified Him. Jesus Christ was thus the response to God’s heart cry that searched for a man to stand at the gap and intercede (Ezekiel 22:30).
Even now, Jesus Christ is sending us into the world for the very same reason. In the New Testament, we find repeated affirmations of our royal priesthood, and of the importance of prayer. One of the most important duties of the Levitical priests was to ensure that there was incense offered on the golden altar both morning and evening. As Priests appointed by our Lord and High Priest Jesus Christ, we are called to offer incense – our prayers, and go boldly to the throne of grace, due to the finished work of Christ on the cross.
We, those who have Jesus as our High Priest interceding for us; We, those who can boldly access the throne of grace – have a lot to give account in terms of our duty as a priest to intercede for those around us.
It is not that we don’t intercede for others, we just may not have matured in that discipline, or given enough focus to it. This Lent, for the next 40 days (excluding Sundays), we shall pray for various neighbors that God has given us, praying for them by name, and praying for various Spiritual blessings on them.
Week 1: Preparing and consecrating ourselves for this Priestly duty (22 Feb – 25 Feb)
Week 2: Praying for those around our homes – neighbors/ landlords/ tenants/ servants/ helpers/ shopkeepers/ beggars (27 Feb – 04 March)
Week 3: Praying for the families that God has put us with – relatives/ friends (06 – 11 March)
Week 4: Praying for those in our workplaces – colleagues/ ex-colleagues/ colleagues of spouses (13 – 18 March)
Week 5: Praying for the leaders of our churches/ state/ country (20 – 25 March)
Week 6: Praying for the unreached (27 March – 01 April)
Week 7: Learning from our High Priest (03 – 08 April)
The needs of those around us are vast. Instead of merely praying, ‘God bless so and so’, let’s learn from biblical examples and from epistles on the vast aspects in which we can intercede with God for our friends. Each day, particular focus points will be sent to you, to suggest what you could pray over. Wait in God’s presence and choose whom you want to pray for that day. The number of people for whom you can intercede, and the amount of time that you want to pray for are up to you. It might be better to pray for only a few names each day but to pray more deeply and earnestly for whomever you have chosen.
I would like to end this note with encouragement to you from the life of George Mueller. It is said that George Mueller recorded over 50,000 specific answers to prayers in his journal. Among these, 30,000 prayers are said to have been answered on the same day or on the same hour! He had over 60 years of walking with the Lord, which makes it to approximately 2.3 answered prayers every day. Our God loves to hear our prayers and answer them. How much can we grow in our fellowship with the Lord, in knowing His heart for those around us, if only we wait and intercede in His presence.
Weak as I am in the discipline of prayer, I know that God is eager in listening to our prayers. Even before I start this journey of 40 days of Priestly intercession, God has already given signs and assurances that He is looking forward to this, more than I do.
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