“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40 NIV
Jesus has some very clear directives when it comes to loving people. Jesus actually says there is no greater love than to lay down one's life for their friends in chapter fifteen of John's gospel. It's tempting to think, “I love my friends but I am not ready to die for them. That sounds like the kind of thing a super hero might do, but not me." Fair enough. But consider this: Can you lay down your life or can you set your life aside, for a few minutes? This might be all it takes to make a difference in someone else's life. You may not be called to die but Followers of Jesus understand the call to intercede. We are all called to do something. None of us are exempt.
To intercede means to intervene.
For most of us in the church, we’ve heard about Intercessory Prayer. It can bring up strange ideas for some people. It's easy to think it takes a holy roller or spiritual super hero to get involved with such a super-charged issue. We can redeem the exercise of Intercessory prayer by simply defining it in a way that makes sense to an everyday believer. For example, Intercessory Prayer invites you to focus on a child living anywhere in the world. Place yourself in the position of blessing them. Focus on their daily needs, spouse, favor, career path, friends and life in general. Pray for their protection from evil. Do this exercise daily for a week or commit to it for longer. Write down anything that comes to your mind as you pray and keep a record of answered prayers.
Intercession does not require power. It simply requires a refusal to turn your back on need.
It's pretty simple. When it's your turn to act--ACT! Jesus said, "I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you." (Luke 10:19 NIV) With God's help, do something in whatever way you possibly can. Don’t overestimate what you can achieve but don’t hide behind tired excuses either. Responding to a need can be challenging and awkward at first. It can even make you feel shaky inside. Emotions and adrenalin are gifts from God but we cannot allow our emotions to run our lives in such a way that keeps us hidden in a prison of fear. For the sake of the everyday hero that lives inside you, it is best if you assume that God will not intercede without you. There is no one about to come down out of the sky, cape fluttering, and relieve you of what you are called to do. It is your responsibility to do what must be done.
Now the God of peace, who brought back from the dead that great shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus, by the blood of the everlasting agreement, equip you thoroughly for the doing of his will! May he effect in you everything that pleases him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:21 Phillips