INTERCESSORY

Jesus has sent His church into the world on the same errand upon which He Himself
came, and this mission includes intercession. What if I say that the church is the
world’s priest?

What, do you say you have nothing to pray for? What! no children unconverted, no
friends unsaved, no neighbours who are still in darkness? What! Live in London and
not pray for sinners! Where do you live! Is it in some vast wilderness, amidst “some
boundless contiguity of shade,” where rumour of sin and of ignorance has never
reached your ear?

Prayer for ourselves, good as it is, has just a touch of selfishness about it: prayer for
others is delivered from that ingredient.

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” If we are not tempted
ourselves at this moment, others are: let us remember them in our prayers; for in due
time our turn will come, and we shall be put into the crucible.

Our brother said in his prayer, “Lord, help us who cannot preach, to pray for the man
who does!” Have you, dear friend, who cannot preach, made a point of praying for the
pastor of the church to which you belong?

Remember how it is written of Job, “The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he
prayed for his friends.” While he prayed for himself, he remained a captive; but when
he prayed for those unfriendly friends of his, then the Lord smiled upon him, and
loosed his captivity.