It’s another Sunday morning! You may not realize this, but Sunday mornings are “Go!” time in pastoral ministry. There are last minute details to think about, a sermon to contemplate, and people to greet. In the midst of all the pre-service busyness, and last minute details, I have to stop and remember that this is the time when the Lord’s people gather to worship Him. Church is not just a task to check off my work list, but rather a time of worship, preaching, prayer, and mutual edification. In all the hustle and bustle we can often look past the look of hurt and pain of others, but we shouldn’t. Instead of waiting to engage or follow up with that person in clear distress, what if we engaged right then and there, and utilized one of the greatest gifts the Lord has granted us, intercessory prayer!
Intercessory prayer is a fancy way of saying you’re going to take something to the Lord on behalf of another person. In fact the Bible encourages this type of prayer in James 5:16:
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
The New Testament is filled with instructions like this, we call them the “one another” passages, and they each involve taking action on behalf of another brother or sister in Christ. We should be eagerly looking for these opportunities, and especially when the people of God gather for worship! Again, it’s the one time during the week where we are all together in one place. But oftentimes, we’re so caught up in the hurry of the moment, or preoccupied with our thoughts and problems that we neglect these small but powerful moments. Or we push off the grief, or hurt, or pain with, “I’ll pray about that,” but rarely remember to take it to the Lord later!
The question is, “Why wait?”
A good friend of mine taught me this important lesson a few years back. I was the king of “I’ll pray for that,” and then neglecting to hold to my commitment. I noticed a pattern in my fellow minister, he would be talking to someone, then he would say, “Can I pray for that now?” and then… he would take it to the Lord in prayer right then and there! I began to do the same! And it’s been beautiful to see the Lord move in these moments, because a few things happen when you pray for someone on the spot.
First, you actually hold to your promise and commitment to pray for them. Second, it conveys a genuine concern for their situation. Third, other people witness this behavior, and hopefully emulate it. Imagine walking into church on a Sunday and seeing conversations and laughter, with a mix of bowed heads and praying hands! What a beautiful aroma to the Lord that would be!
“O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you! Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice!”
– Psalm 141:1-2 (ESV)
North Bullitt Christian Church 