1 Timothy 2:1-2 Here then is my charge: First, supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings should be made on behalf of all men: for kings and rulers in positions of responsibility, so that our common life may be lived in peace and quiet, with a proper sense of God and of our responsibility to him for what we do with our lives. (J B Phillips)
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else’s place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.”
Corrie Ten Boom once said, “We never know how God will answer our prayers, but we can expect that He will get us involved in His plan for the answer. If we are true intercessors, we must be ready to take part in God’s work on behalf of the people for whom we pray.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book “Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Christian Community” goes even further when he says, “A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is transformed in intercession into the countenance of a brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven sinner.”
Eternal God, You are worthy to be praised because You are able to bless others abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that they need, they will abound in every good work! I thank You in advance for blessing Your children and uplifting them, for in doing so their time on earth has become more endurable. I thank You for being gracious to Your people by allowing them to experience joy in You, Amen.
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