in the world today that require our prayer energy. Marriages are
coming apart at the seams. Children are suffering from the breakup
of the family system. Individuals are moving aimlessly from place to
place like trains ripped free from their tracks.
As Richard Foster said in his book Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True
Home, “In the ongoing work of the kingdom of God, nothing is more
important than intercessory Prayer....We can make a difference if
we will learn to pray on behalf of others.”^1
To be intercessors is to keep company with Jesus Christ. To follow
in the Savior’s footsteps is to live as he lived, and if we do, then we
will know the joy of his reinforcing our intercessory prayers with his
own. The writer to the Hebrews proclaimed that Jesus is an eternal
priest who “always lives to intercede” for his followers (Heb. 7:25).
And Paul assured us that Jesus Christ died, was raised, and is at the
right hand of God, interceding for us (Rom. 8:34).
If you have not yet begun to keep a prayer notebook or journal,
this is a good time to begin. Create tabs in your notebook for Wor-
ship, Confession, Thanksgiving, Answered Prayers, and Interces-
sion. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and pray through you as you
begin each day.
Oh, Father, teach us to be intercessors as Jesus was. Keep our hearts
tender as we constantly lift your children in prayer before you. In
Jesus’ name, amen.58 CLAIRECLONINGER