Prayer as Spiritual Work

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people….

2 Timothy 2:1

During a season of leadership responsibilities, I learned a life altering lesson.  An intercessor for the group resigned from her long-term commitment. I failed to quickly locate someone to fill that void, and within weeks, chaos set in. After collapsing in frustration one day, I remembered the intercessor’s resignation. I immediately phoned to ask for a temporary recommitment while I actively sought someone else to assume that responsibility.   

While reflecting upon that painful experience, I wondered, “Are intercessors super saints? Do they receive a special calling from God, or do they simply bring discipline to their prayer life?” I found the answer to my questions in O. Hallesby’s book on prayer.

“Only the Spirit of prayer (the Holy Spirit) can teach us to labor in prayer, to employ prayer as a means of doing spiritual work…. All work takes time. When it becomes clear to us that prayer is a part of our daily program of work, it will become clear that we must organize our days to include time for prayer. This is intercessory prayer. No one else will be able to do it except those who are willing to sacrifice the time to do it. This means the work of intercession can be done only by those who are willing in spirit. All others will find more than enough excuses not to do it.”

Father, thank You for those godly men and women who choose to spend time interceding for others. Bless them during their hours of labor in prayer for your Kingdom. I ask for many more believers to respond to the need for intercession. I want to investigate the disciplines of intercessory prayer as a way to partner with You in Kingdom work. In the name of Your Son who taught us how to pray, amen.

Linda Lesniewski