He prays for me!

June 6, 2007

By Jerry Scott

At the risk of sounding weak, I’ll admit I often find life exhausting! One task is completed only to have two more pop up. Some personal victory is celebrated for a moment until the next crisis starts to unfold.

One of Job’s friends wryly observed, “Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward” (Job 5:7, NIV). Now that is an interesting turn of phrase. No matter how smart you are, how well you think you have prepared for tomorrow, how faithfully you take your vitamins — from some unexpected corner, at some unexpected moment, difficulties and disappointments will find their way to your door.

Believer, here’s the best news. We have a High Priest who is always praying for us! I love it when somebody sends me a note or gives me a call and says, “Just wanted you to know I was praying for you today.” There is no gift that compares to the sincere prayers offered on another’s behalf. To think Jesus Christ is at the Father’s right hand asking for mercy on my behalf, directing the Spirit to keep me on my feet when life is coming at me hard and fast, is amazing — and true!

The Bible says, “He is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest meets our need — one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens” (Hebrews 7:25,26).

The book of John records the final hours of Jesus’ earthly ministry in greater detail than the other Gospels. In John 17 Jesus prays on behalf of His disciples and for all believers to this day. It’s a wonderful prayer that gives encouragement. It allows us to hear the heart of Jesus on our behalf.

In part Jesus says, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:14-17).

It is as important to note what Jesus does not pray as it is to note what He asks on our behalf. He does not ask God to make life easy or to provide a rocket ship out of this world! We pray that way sometimes, don’t we? “God, let me outta here! Change this situation. Just let me have an easy time of it today.” Jesus prays we will be preserved from spiritual destruction, that we will be full of the Spirit’s life, that we will stand out as the people of God in a dark world, and that we will understand God’s Word and will.

There are two things I want to leave with you today. First, if you know Jesus as your Savior, He is praying for you! Never forget that. You are not alone, forgotten, or forsaken. Second, He asks the best for you, not the easy! Learn to pray like Jesus prays; not for release, but for courage; not for an easier place, but for His glory to shine through you as you remain faithful to Him in your present situation.

Remember this: Our High Priest understands our needs, for He was tempted and tested in all the ways we are. When you’re wrestling with life and the will of God, remember Jesus did, too. As He prayed in Gethsemane, under terrible pressure and in great anguish, He pleaded for another way. But He also prayed, “Not my will, Father, but Yours, be done!” Your Savior understands when you’re pressured, squeezed, stressed, broken, disappointed, distraught, confused, or afraid! He is praying for you.

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.