I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone … (1 Timothy 2:1 NIV)
Intercession. What is it? I don’t feel that I can adequately define it. But something clicked in me today. I used to be a man of intercession. Not saying I did it all right. In fact, I’m quite sure I did it all wrong but God in His mercy used what I could give at the time. I used to pray for hours a day — for myself, for my family, my friends… I had a huge notebook that I kept track of everything. Eventually I switched to a digital list on my PDA/phone. I saw God answer many prayers for my friends and family but not for myself. It seemed like He was turning a deaf ear to everything I needed help with. I became angry… calloused on the inside. God, why do you answer my prayers for all these people and you never answer the things I need? Silence. I eventually got so fed up that I just quit praying. I was jealous of all the people I was praying for because God answered my prayers for them so quickly. I felt like the unwanted step-child. It’s a terrible thing to admit, eh? I was this way for several years. Sure, I still prayed sometimes, but I lost the spirit of prayer. Is there such a thing as prayer burn-out? I think I developed a chronic case of it.
The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working] (James 5:16 Amplified)
Years later, I was praying with a dear friend of mine. All of a sudden he was overcome with the Spirit and started praying in tongues. It was a new experience for him. He was speaking in Hebrew. I know what the language sounds like, but I don’t know it, so I don’t know what he said. But his voice changed. It was the voice of Jesus. I’d heard that voice before. He collapsed backwards. All of the anger, bitterness, and frustration I had toward God was gone. Jesus lifted it off me in that moment. I still didn’t understand all these things past, but it didn’t matter anymore. I didn’t have to understand.
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16 KJV)
After that experience with God, I have spent the last few years trying to recuperate. I enjoy prayer again. But at times I find it frustrating. In the last year I have experienced His presence and He has taken me places that I would have never dreamed were possible. But still, I am weak. I feel worn out. My spirit feels tired from this war raging within and without. The spirit of distraction is strong everywhere I go.
Something within me needs to change, has changed, and is changing.
Be still, and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10 NIV)
Be still.
Let it sink down.
Relax.
Fall into it.
Abandon.
Let go.
Be quiet.
Eu esperarei por Ti.
Stir up the flame, O God.