Intercessory Prayer...An Honor And A Privilege

Exodus 8:9-11 -   And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.”  So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.  And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”

God had brought a plague of frogs upon the land of Egypt…and all the people that were under the rule of Pharaoh.  They were everywhere…in their houses…beds…dishes….even the ovens they cooked in.  Pharaoh called to Moses when he had dealt with them as long as he could bear and entreated Moses to intercede for him to God to take them away.

It was the beginning of one of Moses greatest jobs for the next 40 years.  He wasn’t just training to lead the Israelites…he was learning how to pray for someone who had a stubborn heart. Moses would intercede for Pharaoh 9 more times…and many more than that for the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness.

There is no greater honor than to be asked to intercede for someone else in prayer. Moses knew in his heart that Pharaoh wasn’t going to keep his promise…but he interceded for him anyway. Moses prayed from the heart…a simple conversation between him and God….and God answered his prayers every time.

It reminds me this morning that the prayers we lift for others are precious to God. God wants to show his power and glory so that all will know that there is no other power in this world that is greater. It had nothing to do with whether Pharaoh deserved it or not. It had everything to do with faith. Luke 22:32 records the words of Jesus to his disciples. He said… “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

Father…thank you for the reminder that every time I pray for another I strength my faith and theirs too. Forgive me for the times that have passed by an opportunity to pray for others.  Help me to grasp every chance you give me to lift another up to you…so that you can show your glory and power in this world full of hate and evil. Amen.