THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSION

Early in my ministry, I picked up a book in the Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute, where I was a student, that made a profound impact on me. I devoured “The Ministry of Intercession,” by Andrew Murray.  

Murray’s premise was that intercession was not praying merely for the effectiveness of Gospel ministry—needful of course—but, that it was ministry in itself. Prayer does not just prepare us for our work, but it is the work!  When I work, I can do what my hands can accomplish—and that is not much. But, when I pray, the hand of God will work, and He can do all things!

Paul writes in Romans 1:9 of his persistent prayer for the Roman church.  Of the myriad of things that might have rightly claimed the Apostle’s attention, he knew that meeting with God and pleading with God on behalf of the church was to be an unwavering commitment. 

I must confess that saying it and doing it are altogether different matters. There are times that I allow other concerns to crowd out what should be my priority, or even if going through the motions, there is little passion and my mind wanders into a myriad of places. 

But, we should not be surprised that prayer is such a struggle. Satan knows its power and will fight us ferociously. Indeed, when we enter the prayer closet, we have entered the war zone. Paul told us to don the whole armor of God for spiritual conflict and then to pray!  That is where victory is won or the battle is lost.

Here is a snippet of what Murray wrote:

We all know the difference between a man whose profits are just enough to maintain his family and keep up his business, and another whose income enables him to extend the business and help others. There may be an earnest Christian life in which there is prayer enough to keep us from going back, and just maintain the position we have attained to, without much growth in spirituality or Christlikeness. The attitude is more defensive, seeking to ward off temptation, than aggressive, reaching out after higher attainment. If there is indeed to be a going from strength to strength, with some large experience of God’s power to sanctify ourselves and to bring down real blessing on others, there must be more definite and persevering prayer. The Scripture teaching about crying day and night, continuing steadfastly in prayer, watching unto prayer, being heard for his persistence, must in some degree become our experience if we are really to be intercessors, (p. 3, Kindle Version). 

I do not share this to condemn you, but to challenge you. I speak to myself foremost and trust that if you eavesdrop, it will help you also. So, let us renew our commitment to praying unceasingly for the church. It will make us productive and the church powerful. This is the ministry of intercession.