The Ministry of Intercession Part 19

="Draw nigh to G.o.d, and He will draw nigh to you."=--JAS. iv. 8.

The nearness of G.o.d gives rest and power in prayer. The nearness of G.o.d is given to him who makes it his first object. "Draw nigh to G.o.d"; seek the nearness to Him, and He will give it; "He will draw nigh to you."

Then it becomes easy to pray in faith.

Remember that when first G.o.d takes you into the school of intercession it is almost more for your own sake than that of others. You have to be trained to love, and wait, and pray, and believe. Only persevere. Learn to set yourself in His presence, to wait quietly for the a.s.surance that He draws nigh. Enter His holy presence, tarry there, and spread your work before Him. Intercede for the souls you are working among. Get a blessing from G.o.d, His Spirit into your own heart, for them.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

TWENTY-FOURTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit on your own Congregation

="Beginning at Jerusalem."=--LUKE xxiv. 47.

Each one of us is connected with some congregation or circle of believers, who are to us the part of Christ's body with which we come into most direct contact. They have a special claim on our intercession.

Let it be a settled matter between G.o.d and you that you are to labour in prayer on its behalf. Pray for the minister and all leaders or workers in it. Pray for the believers according to their needs. Pray for conversions. Pray for the power of the Spirit to manifest itself. Band yourself with others to join in secret in definite pet.i.tions. Let intercession be a definite work, carried on as systematically as preaching or Sunday school. And pray, expecting an answer.

HOW TO PRAY.--Continually

="Watchmen, that shall never hold their peace day nor night."=--ISA.

lxii. 6.

="His own elect, that cry to Him day and night."=--LUKE xviii. 7.

="Night and day praying exceedingly, that we may perfect that which is lacking in your faith."=--1 THESS. iii. 10.

="A widow indeed, hath her hope set in G.o.d, and continueth in supplications night and day."=--1 TIM. v. 5.

When the glory of G.o.d, and the love of Christ, and the need of souls are revealed to us, the fire of this unceasing intercession will begin to burn in us for those who are near and those who are far off.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

TWENTY-FIFTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For more Conversions

="He is able to save completely, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession."=--HEB. vii. 25.

="We will give ourselves continually to prayer and the ministry of the word.... And the word of G.o.d increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied exceedingly."=--ACTS vi. 4, 7.

Christ's power to save, and save completely, depends on His unceasing intercession. The apostles withdrawing themselves from other work to give themselves continually to prayer was followed by the number of the disciples multiplying exceedingly. As we, in our day, give ourselves to intercession, we shall have more and mightier conversions. Let us plead for this. Christ is exalted to give repentance. The Church exists with the Divine purpose and promise of having conversions. Let us not be ashamed to confess our sin and feebleness, and cry to G.o.d for more conversions in Christian and heathen lands, of those too whom you know and love. Plead for the salvation of sinners.

HOW TO PRAY.--In deep Humility

="Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs.... O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt."=--MATT. xv. 27, 28.

You feel unworthy and unable to pray aright. To accept this heartily, and to be content still to come and be blest in your unworthiness, is true humility. It proves its integrity by not seeking for anything, but simply trusting His grace. And so it is the very strength of a great faith, and gets a full answer. "Yet the dogs"--let that be your plea as you persevere for someone possibly possessed of the devil. Let not your littleness hinder you for a moment.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS