“He who prays stands midway between God and people.”
I love the message E.M. Bounds has for us this morning as he speaks of praying for one another. The power of our prayers draws us close to God in a holy, reverent, and magnificent way.
“In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.”
Hebrews 5:7 ESV
I feel the position between God and people in a very strong way during my Monday night prayers. I meet on this night each week at my church, with two other elders, to pray with and for anyone in need of prayer... and it is a powerfully sacred experience.
“Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”
James 5:14-15 ESV
There is something about an Intercessory prayer session... People bring everything from their most intimate problems to their most worldly needs and wants... They bring tears and an urgent search for God and they bare their very souls. Then the intercessors pray for them and with them; we lift their spiritual arms, and often a desperate petition, towards heaven... all in secret, only to be heard by God and those who pray.
No one's prayers go unheard, but when the world has weighed folks down or their strength has waned and they are at the end of their rope, they need strong prayers to assist them. They need the reassurance that joined prayer gives them and help in placing their hand once again in their Father's.
"He who prays stands midway between God and people" - E.M. Bounds
This is one of those times and places where the veil between heaven and earth does get very thin. Standing in this gap that people feel in their very spirits is an awesome responsibility. I am humbled by the experience and often feel both the weight and joy of it for days following.
As Bounds wrote...
"Prayer connects earth to heaven and brings heaven in close contact with earth." The intercessor stands at the veil, holding the crippled hand of man and the healing hand of God... Then joins them through prayer once again."
You don't have to be an elder to pray for those around you. Paul made a point of asking for others to pray for him. He knew that joined prayer had strength!
“Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me;”
Romans 15:30 KJV
Bless us Father, and forgive us that we might come before you washed clean in the blood of Jesus. Father, thank you for the prayers of those who join with us in lifting our needs and concerns to you. Help us to see and feel the power of our prayers as we place hands on one another and pray fervently. Lord, in these moments of humbling ourselves before you, let the separation between your holy kingdom and earth be exceedingly thin and the very incense of heaven itself surround us in this holy endeavor. Father, it is comforting to know that we are not alone, and the prayers of those surrounding us serve to remind us that you too are with us there... and always.