#31 “Intercessors: Are Always On Call 24/7”

“But Jesus’ answer to them was this, “My Father is still

at work and therefore I work as well.”

(John 5:16-17)

J.B. Phillips New Testament (PHILLIPS)

When we think of working we think 8-4 or 9-5 work schedules. We cannot comprehend working 24/7, 365-days a year; many of us, would no doubt quit that kind of job. We are not humanly capable of sustaining that type of work load in these natural bodies. Jesus in replying to criticism regarding His healing the man on the Sabbath s imply told them that the Father in Heaven is always working and so too was He Monday through Sunday. We as intercessor are always on call from heaven. The Holy Spirit may wake you at any time day or night with a prayer assignment and we must be willing to take the call. I know many people who will turn their phones off after a certain hour of the night so as not to be disturbed, I too have done this when I had an early call to work or was exhausted and need to get some uninterrupted rest. However the Holy Spirit does not use conventional methods for contacting us when He needs us to cover some situation.

 

I can recall numerous times when I was waken in the wee hours of the morning and drawn into intercession, for what I did not know. All I know is that the spirit of intercession awakened me from a deep sleep with an overwhelming desire to get on my face before God and pray. Once there it wasn’t long before I was interceding for someone, some of which I did not know. Often this is intense intercession which would leave me drained and weary, it would require all my remaining strength just to crawl back into bed. Once in bed I would fall into a deep revitalizing sleep, which would seem to last all of 6-7 hours; but in fact would sometimes only be 1-2 hours, but I would weaken felling so rested, one would scarcely believe I had been awaken at 2am and prayed intensely for 1 ½ hours.

Unfortunantly intercessory pray does not have a 9-5 timestamp attached to it. One never knows when someone’s life will be hanging in the balance and require an intercessor to fight for them; whether in the ER or on an abandon street at 3am in the morning. When these things happen the Spirit of God will began to search for an intercessor to stand in the gap. However many times even when the Holy Spirit tugs at us to awaken, our response is to just simply roll over and continue sleeping. He has to begins His search again until He finds one who is willing to head the call. “I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it. I couldn’t find anyone. Not one."Ezekiel 22:30a

I remember an event that took place late one evening, many years ago. As it was my custom to rise early and spend time before the Lord each morning, this particular morning was no different. The day went according to schedule and seemingly was uneventful. I remember that I needed to pick up something at the grocery store, so I stopped and the neighborhood grocer's before heading home. once at the checkout was getting ready to pay the cashier, when suddenly this strong sense of fear came over me; it was so strong that my hands began to tremble. I remember thinking that the cashier was going to think something was wrong; or perhaps I was writing a bogus check. I couldn't figure out what was going on, but I know to start praying. I managed to pay the cashier and although still week and trembling left the store. This feeling of fear stay on me until I reached home, but I still didn't know what it was for. Later that even I went to visit a friend in the apartment complex I lived in. While there one of her friends who lived in the same complex came and told her that her husband had jumped on her and she want my friend to come go back with her so she could get some things. and leave. So the three of us went back to her apartment.

He was not there when we arrived so she quickly started getting her things, but he returned before we could leave. He was very upset about our being there, and started threating us and her saying he would kill her and us. Then he pulled a gun on us, or should I say me because at this point I was the only one contesting him. All of a sudden a boldness rose up in me and I told him she was leaving with us and he was not going to stop us. He made some more threats but saw that I was not afraid and said, " fine than get out of my house all three of you," and we quickly left the apartment.  Once outside the lady went with my friend and I started across the street to go home. the moment my foot touch the street pavement, that same spirit of fear came over me again, just as intense as it was earlier that day. It was then I understood what had happen in the grocery store. The Holy Spirit was warning me about what was going to happen which caused me to immediately start praying in the spirit because I didn't know what was going to happen. No doubt if I had not prayed and interceded for the situation things would have turned out much worse and tragic. This is why when the Holy Spirit moves on you to pray you must do as He will, for you don't know who's life you might be saving...even your own.

We never know how serious a situation is when we are called upon to pray by the Holy Spirit, but know this if He is awakening you, its pretty serious. Otherwise He would not call upon you. It is really hard to resist the natural desire to not get up and pray during the time when we should be sleeping. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." But keep in mind that the Holy Spirit choose you for a reason, perhaps you have a special gifting or authority in the area of need; therefore, you are the one for the assignment. Jesus had a special authority in the area of need regarding our salvation and redemption; this is why He could endure the cross. You will be able to endure as well, when you are called upon for a special assignment to intercede by the Holy Spirit. Just know that as intercessors we always on call, day or night, just as the Lord is ever working.

My Prayer: Father as we take up the mantle as intercessors helps us to always be available when You call upon us. Help us to take serious the call to pray for the souls of men and women everywhere. Give us the endurance and understand that when You call on us in the middle of the night you will renew our strength for the next day. We thank You for giving using us as intercessor to effect the lives and situation of in this earth. Let our hearts be touched by the things, which touch Your heart, let our eyes weep over the things that make You weep. Cause us to become passionate about seeing souls come to salvation. These things we ask in Jesus name, Amen

Have A Bless Day…go in God’s Peace!

Follow this link to "Morning by Morning" http://prayin4you.blogspot.com

Sign up to receive the daily post Via Email also

before you leave Join to become a member of

"Morning by Morning