258. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer: The Holy Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

12 March 2022

“I will intercede with the Lord for you.”

Samuel 7

5 Then Samuel said, “Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you.”

8 They said to Samuel, “Do not stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, that he may rescue us from the hand of the Philistines.”

Romans 8

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 

27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

"Samuel: an Example of Intercession

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

May 9, 1880

From: Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit

So famous did Samuel become as an intercessor that, if you will turn to the ninety-ninth Psalm, at the sixth verse, you will read a short but very fragrant eulogy of him: “Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name.” If Moses and Aaron are selected as being consecrated men, leaders of God’s Israel in service and sacrifice, Samuel is selected as the praying man, the man who calls upon God’s name. All Israel knew Samuel as an intercessor as well as they knew Aaron as a priest.

If you will read his life you will see how truly this was the case. Samuel was born of prayer. A woman of a sorrowful spirit received him from God, and joyfully exclaimed, “For this child I prayed.” He was named in prayer, for his name Samuel signifies “asked of God.”

He was nurtured by a woman of prayer at the first, and when he left her it was to dwell in the house of prayer all the days of his life. His earliest days were honoured by a divine visitation, and he showed even then that waiting, watchful spirit which is the very knee of prayer. “Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth” is the cry of a simple, sincere heart, such as the Lord ever accepts.

Intercessory prayer is an act of communion with Christ, for Jesus pleads for the sons of men.

Such prayer rises higher than any petition for ourselves, for only he who is in favour with the Lord can venture upon pleading for others. Moreover, it shows an enlarged heart, a participation in the spirit of love, and a growing likeness to Christ.

Prayer in each man’s case must necessarily begin with personal petitions, for until the man is himself accepted with God he cannot act as an intercessor for others; and herein lies part of the excellence of intercessory prayer, for it is to the man who exercises it aright a mark of inward grace, and a token for good from the Lord."

I will never forget the group of people who interceded for me about 18 years ago.

It was during prayer at home with the cell group of Kuya Nanie and Ate Becks that I poured out my heart to God, yet it was groaning, mumbled words that came out, along with tears and runny nose.

This I wrote on 20 March 2021.

"I was reminded yesterday of the intercession of the Holy Spirit, it was the birthday of our eldest granddaughter, Giliw, at 4 years old.

During my crisis about 18 years ago, I was at a point thinking I would not see my eldest daughter Vannie graduate college, I suffered psychosomatic depression. Giliw is the daughter of Vannie; the Holy Spirit interceded for my life and my health, and God allowed me to see my children's children; my wife and I now have 5 grandchildren. God's grace is truly amazing!"

Lord, we praise You, for we, like Samuel, can intercede for those in difficult situation like the people of Ukraine who are suffering from the invasion by Russia. It is heartbreaking to see a child wanting his father who is a soldier to stay and not to go to the war front. We pray that hostilities come to an end and that peaceful negotiation come to take fruit. We pray that world leaders come to realization that the war is affecting the global economy which has not yet recovered from the covid crisis. Lord have mercy on us, Lord heal the earth and heal the hearts of people.

Lord, You are Almighty, You are God alone, put the fear of God in the hearts of those in authority, we praise You Lord, we give You honor and glory, in Jesus' name. Amen.

""Create in me a pure heart, O God,

    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence

    or take your Holy Spirit from me" (Psalm 51 A psalm of David verses 10-11). Amen.

29 March 2018"

May you be blessed with God's Word.

Maraming salamat.