Serving in Prayer

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’” (Luke 23:34)

When the Lord Jesus hung on the cross, His pierced hands could no longer serve the sick—humanly speaking. His feet, pierced with nails, were no longer able to walk through cities and villages to proclaim the Gospel of the kingdom. Even His disciples, who had all fled, He could no longer teach.

Was there nothing He could do in these terrible hours to be a blessing to the people? Yes, He could pray—and that is exactly what He did! When He hung there between heaven and earth, He made “intercession for the transgressors” (Isa. 53:12). An important lesson for each of us!

The example of the Lord Jesus also encourages us to pray for those who, humanly speaking, it seems impossible will be saved. Who among us, in this situation, would have prayed in faith for these murderers? But didn’t this very prayer of the Son of God contribute to the fact that about 50 days later 3000 people were converted all at one time?

Who prayed for the greatest of sinners—the one who persecuted the assembly of God to the point of blood, had the believers thrown into prisons and forced the disciples to blaspheme the name of their Master? Stephen! How did God answer this? He made the former blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent (see 1 Tim. 1:13) into a servant of the gospel and the assembly of God (see Col. 1:23, 25). The grace of God used this man to write 14 letters of the New Testament and to work more than all the other apostles (see 1 Cor. 15:10)!

Are you currently unable to be active in a particular work for the Lord that you would like to do because of illness or other circumstances? Perhaps God has taken you aside so that you can spend more time in prayer in the important ministry of intercession.

Don’t give up praying for people among your acquaintances where it seems completely hopeless that they will yet be converted. “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27)!

J.P.S.