Intercessory calling

Apparently (grin), God has called me to be an intercessor.

When I was a little girl, I remember being awake for long stretches during the night. I don't know why. I had some tough situations at school, and I was probably fearful or anxious. I do know that I talked to Jesus. For hours. And felt Him comfort me.

When I was a teenager, not walking with Jesus and knowing really very little about His Word, I interceded for probably a year for my husband. I knew the life he was leading when we were seniors in high school was dangerous, so I would stay awake at night and pray...the rosary. I was not living a right life myself and had no idea, really, what I was doing. I just knew the situation needed God's help. I knew even less about spiritual warfare, so when major depression hit me and my entire life went dark gray I never suspected that it was the enemy, hitting back hard.

Flash forward through most of my testimony, which really doesn't matter to this blog entry. Just know that when I finally gave my heart to Jesus at the age of 31, I was already prepped more than I knew for the calling God had on my life. Flash forward through several more years as I got to know the Word and become sensitive to God's voice. In April 2004 when He called me to start an intercessory prayer team for our youth ministry, I thought I was ready.....yet really, I had just been accepted to basic training. I smile with some seasoning and wisdom now, 9 1/2 years later.

This morning I read some of my favorite chapters, 1 Kings 17-19. Elijah's story always gives me chills in about a hundred ways, but what jumped out at me this morning was this section immediately after the crazy fire scene on the top of Mt Carmel:

    Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”

So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”

     Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’”

     Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. I Kings 18:41-45

I thought about how intercession is a lonely thing, really, I have the most amazing team of women to pray with, and we are all very closely knit together. However, most of the time an intercessor prays alone. And most of the time, an intercessor prays a long time before the answer comes. She prays in the middle of the night, lying awake while her household sleeps deeply. She prays early in the morning in the quiet. She prays in the backyard in the evening while the kids watch TV (oh, wait, maybe that's just me trying to get some peace LOL). Elijah assumed a birthing position up there on the mountain and prayed long and alone while Ahab, the wicked king, was feasting. Elijah's job wasn't finished after the fire fell, and this part of the work had to be done alone. He knew that God was going to send the rain, but he had a critical part in bringing the promise to fruition. 

I think intercession by nature also is given to people with very sensitive hearts--hearts that weep easily. I have situations in my life that hurt me deeply, even though there are many people in the world have much more difficult circumstances. Paul said that he dealt daily with "my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?" 2 Cor 11:29. I know that when I read over prayer requests from our youth, some of them make me weep. God asks me, can I break your heart over what these kids go through? Because if you give me permission to, I will show you a little of how My heart breaks, and we will do this together. 

So, intercession. It's lonely, sometimes (part 2 of this blog might be the next chapter in 1 Kings--when Elijah runs to the Cave of Depression). It takes a long determined obedience to stay at your post when others are feasting. And it hurts your heart. 

It's also the most wonderful privilege ever, and I would never trade it. I love the closeness with my Lord that intercession forces. I love the quiet mornings (although the middle of the night stuff is debatable--grin). Even though my heart hurts for my own circumstances and for those of others, it's a hurt that turns me to heaven---and a hurt that I know someday You promise to wipe away. Thank you Lord for calling me to be an intercessor.