Life Ministries

“God’s Buddy System”

 Hebrews 7:22-28…(Text verse – 25)

    The phrase the “hand of God” is used several times in the Bible. When used in the context of prayer, it refers to God influencing, adjusting, and changing people, events, or circumstances in answer to prayer. There is no greater power in us that can move the hand of God like intercessory prayer. I believe that is because it is an unselfish prayer on our part when we pray for the needs of others.

    It was Charles Spurgeon who once said; “intercessory prayer is the sweetest prayer God ever hears.”  If we were to divide up our time spent in prayer, I would say that ¾ of it ought to be spent in intercessory prayer.
    The literal concept of “intercession” according to Webster means; “to go between” or to “act between parties” with a view of reconciliation”…to “mediate”… It happens in our courts every day. Lawyers interceding for their clients. It happens in contractual meetings when attorneys represent the seller and the buyer, the payer and the payee… There’s really nothing spiritual about it, it boils down to representation.
    Romans 8:34 says this; “Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus who died - more than that - who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God, and is also interceding for us”. He is representing us.
When Christ came to earth, he came to re-present God to mankind. Now, he is at God’s right hand representing mankind before God.
    Again, in 1 Tim. 2:1 - “I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiv-ing be made for everyone…This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of truth. For there is one God, and one medi-ator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ”.
    Scripture is filled with examples of intercessory prayer. Moses interceded for Israel constantly; Abraham interceded on behalf of Lot; Joshua, Daniel, and of course, the Apostle Paul, who constantly interceded for the churches….But, our greatest example of course is Jesus himself.
    First of all, Jesus intercedes at a personal level. In Luke 22:31 Jesus is speaking to Peter and he says; “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked for you that he may sift you as wheat; but I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail”. Here is Peter, certainly at a trying time in his life; a weak moment in his faith… Jesus knew that Peter would soon stumble and even turn away, but he says; “I have prayed for you Peter”…I believe he intercedes on our behalf, on a personal level as well, when our faith fades and when we are attacked by the enemy!
    Secondly, in John 17, Jesus prayed collectively for the Disciples and all those who would believe their message…that’s you and me! Think about the fact that Jesus prayed for you over 2000 years ago!
    Finally, we must look at the fact that Jesus role as mediator - as our intercessor - has even a higher meaning. Our scripture says that Jesus is our “High Priest in the order of Meichizedek”. Jesus is not only our Savior, he is our High Priest. Now, in the Old Testament you will find that the High Priest was the only one who could enter the “Holy of Holies”….beyond the veil….through the curtain… And, what did he do? He interceded before God, on behalf of the people.
    The High Priest had to go through extensive cleansing rituals… The sacrifice had to be perfect, “without blemish”… Everything had to be done exactly according to the ritual prescribed by God. The High Priest had little bells on the bottom of his robe, and a rope tied around his waist…just in case something wasn’t right, or the priest himself was not right with God…and when the bells stopped ringing, the people in the outer court would pull on the rope to remove the body!
    However, the scriptures tells us that these rituals were not able to save completely…if they did, they would not have to do them over and over again, every year.  But, our scripture for today says Jesus is able to save completely!  His was the final sacrifice. The curtain was torn from top to bottom… to open the way for all to come before the throne of God through Christ Jesus.
    The Marine Corps has a motto - “Semper fi” which is Latin for “Always faithful”. The Marines have a tremendous loyalty to one another - a buddy system - if you will, which is an unwritten loyalty that says “No man left behind”. Whether in the advance or the retreat, you don’t leave a member of your company on the field… dead or alive. With that thought in mind, can God’s people do any less? Can we leave a family member or a neighbor or a friend behind?  This is where you and I come in ... We are standing in the gap, interceding in prayer before God for those on our prayer list. I hope you haven’t given up on them…Jesus didn’t give up on you!
    It’s easy at times to pray for those who are sick and hurting or grieving the loss of a loved one. But, what about intercessory prayer for those you don’t like? Or, those who have hurt you in some way? Or what about those who don’t like you!…. In Matthew 5:44 Jesus said; “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you”…(and notice) “Pray for those who persecute you”…. Jesus was being crucified, and down below the Cross were those who had hated him, and persecuted him, and despised and abused him…And, his words were; “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. It’s hard to have a bad attitude or vengeful feelings toward someone for whom you are praying.  We do what we do because God has a buddy system as well. It is His desire that not one be left on the battlefield!
    Mark 14:34-38 says; “Keep watching and praying, that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Don’t give up praying! Continue to intercede for the people on your list. Pray even if you don’t know what their needs are…. God knows their need, and He will prepare their hearts.