Quote from Forum Archives on December 12, 2000, 9:17 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

During this season, we have been discussing the reason for the
season. People often point out, rightly so, that "Jesus is the
reason for the season". We have been thinking about how to
prepare ourselves during Advent, which means preparation. I know
of no better way to prepare myself than to read the Bible, think
about it, then pray. Over the weeks and months, we have probably
discussed prayer and the love of God more than any other topic.
That is because a recognition of the need for prayer and a humble
heart that admits our need is the beginning of the place where
God is able to work with us.

As usual, Oswald Chambers is able to discuss these things in a
very concise manner and get right to the heart of the matter. I
share his work with you today because it is important for all of
us to appreciate and understand the value of intercession. What
does that mean? Oswald takes a close look at that phrase and
puts it into a practical, but serious application. As we grow in
our faith, it becomes necessary to take on "the mind of Christ"
instead of our usual methods. The apostle Paul writes about this
idea frequently in his New Testament letters. I recommend that
you read them. A few of his shorter letters can be read in a few
minutes. Even if you do not instantly understand what he means,
I recommend reading them. One of my favorites, the book of
Philippians, can be read by a good "turbo reader" in a few
minutes, and even by a slow reader in ten minutes or so. If you
haven't read Philippians in December, may I encourage you to read
it this week? The Gospel of Luke is another excellent book to
read during the Advent season, though it is a much longer book.
Still, if any of you are "book worms" who read hundreds of pages
a day, Luke could be completely read in a few hours. Anyone up
to the challenge?

Dear Lord,

I am reminded again to come to you "with songs, hymns, and
spiritual songs" in my mind. I do want to pray for many people.
I think of the readers of this list, many who face unhappy and
difficult circumstances in their homes. I ask You to remind me
to continually encourage them, keep their concerns in my mind,
that I remember to pray and to show my appreciation and love for
each of them.

There are others who are physically hurting. I know my own
pastor has been ill; please continue to give him strength and
encouragement, especially during this season, a busy time for
him. For those with life threatening illnesses, I pray for Your
comfort, peace in the families affected, and Your healing touch.

Even more than physical healing, I pray for a spiritual renewal
and rebirth for people throughout our land, and all over the
world. No matter where we come from, we are a needy people, and
I ask for Your Presence and Your Spirit to bring light and hope
where a dim spirit exists.

Thank You for the privilege of being able to come to You in
prayer. I ask all of these things humbly, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Brother Brian

December 13

Intercessory Prayer "... men always ought to pray and not lose
heart" (Luke 18:1).

You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe
in the reality of redemption. Instead, you will simply be
turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will
serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining
out of touch with God. 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. Intercession means to "fill up...
[with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" (Colossians
1:24), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors.
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.

As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information
from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because
you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has
ordained for you to know, you can't pray; the circumstances of
the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to
get to the underlying truth.

Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have
His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by
substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the
only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our
relationship completely open with God.

What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be
simply "patched up." We must pray that person completely through
into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of
people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them!
When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He
can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.

Authorized By The Oswald Chambers Publications Association, Ltd.

1997 RBC Ministries--Grand Rapids, MI 49555-0001

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/
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