by Cathy Vinson

When the role and calling of intercession opens up to an individual, it becomes a way of life. No longer does one merely observe or speak about,  something immensely purposeful can be done. An intercessor lives upon a simple premise: "Pray without ceasing (ceasing = negative + between + to leave, in other words the negation of leaving an interval inbetween, of unbroken continuity)" (1 Th 5:18). We realize there is a posture of praying, calling out to God that need not change. We do not say "I am now done," but remain ever fixed in the humility of calling upon.

Another premise: God has all resources in Jesus for any individual's particular need. What remains, though, is for someone to fill in the gap and call down, pull down those resources in His Name. Because of God's character and the Way Jesus opened up for us, there is a calling upon mercy to forgive sin, grace to overcome, healing for wounds, His blood for protection...

From 2 Thessalonians 1:11 and 12 these can be seen at work in Paul. "We pray ALWAYS for you that our God would count you worthy..." Paul is praying without ever coming to an end in this matter. He is praying that God will "count" them worthy. Can we imagine? Such a request is entering into the recesses of God's valuing, how He esteems, counts, thinks regarding a people. He is praying for an estimation formed by God to be favorable...he prays that God would COUNT them worthy rather than MAKE them worthy. Intercession calls for such an appeal into God's thinking, if we would only dare.

Paul, still praying, writes..."that the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ would be glorified in you...according to the grace of God and the Lord Jesus Christ." What births glorifying His Name? It must always be according to the grace given. We cannot return anything that has begun without His grace. So if it is according to grace, who will "pull it down"? Here again we see the privilege of intercession to pray for that grace (charis - gift of favor) from God to be abundant to a people, even if they be unworthy.

Especially in this day there is a place anywhere, everywhere for the intercessor. There is a world of room for the one who will pray.

Will you stand in the gap for that need? If we truly believe that "[Jesus] died for us, that...we should live together with Him" (1 Th 5:10), He paid a pure and highest price to gain togetherness with His human. Do not doubt for one moment His willingness to get involved with their goings. No more looking at or talking about, but become a worshipper. Worship Him by calling upon and engaging our most benevolent King for what He is willing and waiting to bring...

(1 Th 5:18)