[Pray for Greenville] - Intecessory Prayer: Standing Between Two Extremes

22. decembra 2009, 5:18

A friend and pastor on the OBX, Winfield Bevins, has written an incredible article on the Resurgence about intecessory prayer. Thought that I'd share it here:

"If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than it is within our power to give them, and this will lead us to prayer: Intercession is a way of loving others."—Richard J. Foster
Standing Between Two Extremes
What is intercessory prayer? According to Webster, intercede means simply, "to go or pass between; to act between parties with a view to reconcile those who differ or contend; to interpose; to mediate or make intercession; mediation."
Intercession basically means to stand between two extremes. It means to earnestly plead with a person on behalf of another. Intercessory prayer happens when we stand in the gap between God and others. We live in a world that is full of spiritual warfare, and God wants us to pray for the salvation and redemption of others. It is not his desire that any should perish but that all would receive eternal life (1 Timothy 2:4). God wants and desires us to pray for others.
Jesus the Ultimate Intercessor
There are numerous examples of individuals in the Bible who accepted the challenge to intercede on behalf of others, but the greatest example of intercession can be seen in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us, "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus still sits at the right hand of God and continually makes intercession on our behalf. Jesus' intercession isn't just a prayer that he prayed, but the life that he lived. Everything he said and did was for us! The essential meaning of the cross is Christ's mediation for all who would be saved. The Bible tells us, "For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" (1 Timothy 2:5). True intercession begins by following Jesus' example of self-giving, and then flows into fervent prayer for the lives of others.

Derek Brown is a pastor at Harmony Church in Greenville, NC.

[Matthew's Blog] - Christmas Music

21. decembra 2009, 22:24

Here is a gift for my few blog readers... my Christmas recordings. You can download all four songs and name your own price, including $0! Enjoy.

&amp;lt;a href="http://matthewlilley.bandcamp.com/album/oh-christmas-ep"&amp;gt;Oh Holy Night by Matthew Lilley&amp;lt;/a&amp;gt;

PS. If you are reading in an email or blog reader, you may need to actually visit my blog to see the music player.

[Matthew's Blog] - Taking "Time Off"

21. decembra 2009, 20:49

I have been very excited to have this week "off" work. In other words, there was nothing on my calendar aside from visiting family for the holidays. After a few days of being "off" I am learning a few things.

My tendency is to think of vacation time as "me time" - a chance to enjoy myself and do something I want to do. The problem is that selfish things are actually not very fulfilling and certainly not Christ-like. I think I need a paradigm shift regarding vacation. I think I should see it as a time to refresh my spirit and do things for others.

It is weird being "off work" when your work is "full time ministry." As a Christian, you do not take time off from God. He still loves you and you still love Him. (Side note: I think I sometimes see my relationship with God as work, rather than a peaceful relationship.) I have a daily ministry to the Lord and to others as a regenerated human being, not just because my paycheck is from 6:22 Ministries. The Bible is still my daily bread. My spirit still craves God's presence. Worship songs still stir in my heart. Intercessory burdens still stir me to pray. I am still a priest to God offering praise and a minister of reconciliation to my neighbor. I am still called to love God and love others. I am also always a husband and always a dad - the primary ministry of family never ends!

I want you to understand I am writing these things not because I am doing them right, but because most of the past few days I have done them wrong. I am writing them in faith. I feel that mustard seed from the Holy Spirit in me. There's that longing in me that just won't let me be satisfied in my self-centeredness. I keep being drawn to Jesus.

Now do not misunderstand me. I am not suggesting being a workaholic (another tendency of mine). I am thankfully taking a break from some things. I do not have to go out to the Boiler Room to lead worship five times this week. There are no gatherings to plan, song lists to make or meeting agendas to type. I will not have to be in the office writing support newsletters or updating the 6:22 web site. I do not have any lunch meetings.

I am also not saying that I won't do some things I enjoy. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation has already been watched and Elf has already been played twice! :) But what I am saying is that holiday vacations are not a time for self-indulgence or spiritual laziness. They are atime to draw nearer to God, strengthen your relationships and be refreshed. Happy Holidays!

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Poznámky používateľa 6:22

[Pray for Greenville] - Intecessory Prayer: Standing Between Two Extremes22. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Christmas Music21. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Taking "Time Off"21. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Social Media Integration21. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Immanuel... He's coming again13. decembra 2009

[6:22 Blog] - End of Year Giving10. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Campus America in 20108. decembra 2009

[Matthew's Blog] - Contemporary Christian Music History and Its Impact on Me4. decembra 2009

[6:22 Blog] - Paradigm Starts This Friday Before 6:2230. novembra 2009

[6:22 Blog] - Wanted: worship leaders, prayer leaders, musicians and singers25. novembra 2009

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