Saturday, August 30, 2008

Romans 8:22-27 Intercession

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

I believe that intercessory prayer is vital for seeing change. Intercession is about standing as a mediator between two parties, in prayer terms it is standing before God on behalf of the world, (and also standing on behalf of God to the world). But intercession is not just praying because we should, it involves an emotional connection, a groaning, and it involves being able to stand on behalf of someone else. Sometimes the Holy Spirit allows us to sense God's heart, or he (actually classically the Holy Spirit is usually a she) gives us a heart for something in the world. What is it that you are able to pray for from the heart?

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