Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!—Psalm 139:23-24
Sometimes we look for people to be there for us when we experience lack, sadness, anger, etc. without ever going to God. The throne of grace is open 24/7. And there, you can receive mercy and find grace when you need it—YOUR time of need. Go to the throne of grace today. You can go while driving, walking to work, during lunch, or right now. See Hebrews 4:14-16.
Pray without ceasing.
Find a quiet place you can pray before the Lord.
Fight your battles in your secret place before the Lord. He is your strong tower and shield. Find protection and safety in Him. He is on your side. Trust Him to stand firmly, share words of wisdom, and guide the hearts of those who are lost.
I pray you will find peace and rest for your souls in Christ Jesus.
There are times when you give someone your very best advice to help them out of a difficult situation or improve their life…but they don’t take it. No matter what you do or say, they won’t listen. You spend hours, days, weeks, and months pouring out your heart to get them to change, but to no avail. You get so frustrated that you want to give up and not waste anymore time trying to help them.
Though they may not listen to you, you can pray for them.
Job 16:17-22 – Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure. O earth, cover not thou my blood, and let my cry have no place. Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high. My friends scorn me: but mine eye poureth out tears unto God. O that one might plead for a man with God, as a man pleadeth for his neighbour! When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.
As Job assures himself that he hasn’t committed any injustices, he looks for someone who would plead with God on his behalf rather than receive the scorn from his friends.
1. We often speak before pray…or think. Many times when our friends are struggling, in sin, or needing answers or help, we rush to share our opinion. When we rush to help, we can cause greater damage, even when we have the best intentions (Proverbs 19:2, 25:20). Therefore, it’s important that we first hear from the Lord on whether we should say or do anything. Who else better to speak with than God?!
Exodus 32:7-14 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
Exodus 32:30-32 – And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
For background, read Exodus 32
As the Israelites would be justified in being punished (and even consumed) for making the golden calf, Moses pleaded on their behalf before God. He cared for their souls and the testimony of God before the Egyptians concerning them. He went as far as to offer his own life for theirs (Exodus 32:30-32).
Many times we don’t want nothing to do with sinful people. We’d rather see their punishment and destruction – one less sinful person on the earth to bring havoc to it. However, Moses can teach us a thing or two about having a heart of intercession for others.
May we develop such a heart for our brothers and sisters that may be rightly facing God’s judgment, but are in need of mercy and grace.
Who will stand up on their behalf? May each of us stand by kneeling before the Lord of glory for their souls.
Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/DanielRomero
The Importance of Prayer – Dr. Young Hoon Lee (Yoido Full Gospel Church):
Prayer is ABSOLUTELY important to the life of a disciple!
Prayer is the conduit that we commune with the Lord. Through prayer we intercede for others and ask for the Lord’s will to be accomplished upon the earth.
Prayer is not something we should only do before eating, going to bed, or starting a church service. Prayer should be our life and breath before God – where our eyes are opened and our hearts are torn and mended in His presence.
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