Without Ceasing

4/1/2020

Romans 8:34, 27 “It is Christ…who also maketh intercession for us.” “The Spirit…maketh intercession for the saints.”

Once again, My Utmost for his Highest is so timely. Coincidence? I think not.

Chambers asks at the end of today’s lesson, “Are we in direct line of intercession of Our Lord and of the holy Spirit?” If we are not, what is it that is inhibiting us? The first week that I started working from home, my schedule – like everyone else’s – was vastly different. We were all trying to figure out this “new normal” we are living with. Part of my personal upheaval was my devotional time. There were, and are, very pressing things to pray about right now, yet my personal time of prayer was more on the fly than focused. When I realized this change, I felt awful. Ultimately, I understood that it was not the changes in life, but the overwhelming issue that was causing the changes. This Covid-19 pandemic was too much for my puny brain to handle. I felt scared and powerless. I was praying, but my prayers became weak instead of powerful like they needed to be. It was a direct reflection of my emotional state; I am so small, and this virus is so powerful.

Thankfully, the following week, the Holy Spirit prompted me to take a day away from the sound and fury. I drew away from social media, or media of any sort for that matter. I spent the day quietly in my Bible and in prayer, and that was the turning point for me. I started, once again, to feel the power of my prayers, and the prayers of others all over the world. My warrior reawakened, and my focus became the sovereignty and almighty power of my Savior—not coronavirus. Thank you God for bringing me out of myself. Now, along with my regular devotional time, I pray all day long, for we are told to pray without ceasing. Isn’t this a time for that level of concentrated prayer?

Chambers calls us to, “Begin with the circumstances we are in—our homes, our businesses, our country, the present crisis as it touches us and others—are these things crushing us? Are they badgering us out of the presence of God, and leaving us no time for worship? Then let us call a halt, and get into such living relationship with God that our relationship with others may be maintained on the line of intercession whereby God works His marvels.”

For such a time as this.

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and will heal their land.”

May God have mercy on us all.