The church that is not jealously protected by mighty intercession and sacrificial labors will before long become the abode of every evil bird and the hiding place for unsuspected corruption. The creeping wilderness will soon take over that church that trusts in its own strength and forgets to watch and pray.— Aiden Wilson Tozer
Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them.— John Calvin
When we cast our minds across the nations we see the growing trend of lawlessness, conflicts and subversion of governments. There's a general breakdown of the moral fabric that covered many societies and widespread apathy or scorn for the knowledge of God. Many national economies are seeping deep in debts and this is taking a toll on citizens. It is sad to see governments milking or suppressing the very people they are called to lead. What's worse is the ripple effects of poor leadership unfold on the entire populace regardless of their political affiliation. For most of the general populace, economic hardships don't differentiate between members of party A or B in a nation. What is our response to deteriorating leadership that appear to be under influences that impede wise decision-making?
Pondering some key issues plaguing our world today - climate change, wars, identity and sexuality, migration - what do we perceive as God's mind on such? The popular opinion of many is the judgement of the Christian God on some people groups in the Old Testament - take Sodom & Gomorrah for instance. But is this all there is to that account? When Lot pitched his tent near Sodom, he probably didn’t know that one day he will be right in the heart of the godless town. Trapped in a hedonistic culture that he seemed unable to influence, he vexed his righteous soul. As matters grew worse, God would physically appear with a delegation to confirm the cries ascending to Him. But prior to the famous destruction of these cities, He made an important stop at Abraham's dwelling, revealing His heart.
From the onset of creation, God reveals that His heart is really after mercy and reconciliation, not judgement. When Adam and Eve sinned, He pursued them, asking "Where are you?" and killing an animal to cover their nakedness. He followed the same pattern with Cain, asking "Where is your brother, Abel" and cautioning him of the effects of his rebellion. Then, when Sodom's judgement loomed, God again visits the earth to pursue a redemptive plan. He needed a righteous man to take an all-important role of intercession so that the masses who had lost their way would not perish.
16 Then the men rose from there and looked toward Sodom, and Abraham went with them to send them on the way. 17 And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing... 20 And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave, 21 I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry against it that has come to Me; and if not, I will know.”
Genesis 18:16 & 20-21, NKJV
God created a means to dialogue with mankind, to share this burden on His mind, and create an avenue for His mercy to be called forth in place of judgement. Though their sins were glaring enough from His throne, He wanted to give another chance for repentance and redemption. But that would not be possible without a man standing in the gap, pleading the case of the righteous and invoking His mercy.
Why did he share this with Abraham? He was the very man who had shown interest in the people of this region. In Genesis 14, he formed an alliance with his trained servants and neighboring kings to rescue Lot and the inhabitants of Sodom from invading armies. Would he now sit aloof and watch his relative and people he had risked his life for perish without intercession? Certainly not. But even more, the Creator of these precious souls wanted an intervention too.
This question Abraham posed establishes an important principle and preamble: God’s will is not to destroy the righteous with the wicked. God will look on the righteous and preserve a city if only someone will intercede for it. This is why intercession for the nations is so relevant. In Ezekiel 22:30, the Lord said, “and I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (KJV). God is always looking for a man or woman. Are you that man or woman God is looking for?
The place of prayer and intercession for the nations cannot be overlooked. We are called to make disciples of nations (ethnic groups or people groups), not just individuals. It will be detrimental for us to neglect this duty while we pursue our own interests. Pauls entreats us, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2, NIV Meaning for us to experience peaceful and quiet lives, we have a responsibility to pray. When was the last time you prayed for your country?
Sometimes, we are so focused on the evil around us that we are discouraged to pray. But, as we learnt earlier from our bulletin on mindsets and perspectives, we can choose a different viewpoint and watch God reveal His purposes amidst the chaos through prayer. Change will come in big and small ways too. We often think of nations in terms of large geographical masses but I believe it starts with children - those born and those to come later. It was said of Jacob and Esau that they were nations while they were in their mother's womb. Children are the future of every nation so when laws are passed to disrupt the family unit or principles that mar their identities of the future generation are championed, we must stand in the gap and pray.
Doubtless, God still allows us, humans, the right to choose with a duty to bear the consequences of our choices. But through intercession, we can affect the course of history as we ask God to touch hearts and heal our lands. You may feel unqualified or insignificant to affect the vast problems confronting the world. But God does not require masses: He is only looking for one from among them.
Are you called by His name? Are you available to humble yourself, turn from your wicked ways and seek His face? Then, God will certainly fulfill HIs part to heal our land as we pray. Let's pray knowing that God's interest is not in the condemnation of people, but in their redemption and reconciliation with Him and one another.
One goal of this 40-day fast is to impact the seven mountains of influence that shape our existence with our prayers. Already, through our daily intercessions, we've been addressing different topics strategically coined to disarm the enemy's operations in these seven mountains. Your intercessions would influence Governments to make wise decisions; empower Educators to enforce policies that honour God and benefit humanity; invigorate Economies that are failing and pave way for God's blessings in our lands; destroy arsenals marshaled against Family life and values; equip the church as a beacon of hope among world Religion s; inspire breakthroughs in Science and Technology to tackle challenges in our world; awaken people and groups in the Arts and Entertainment arena to expose falsehoods in the Media and create creative and anointed contents to uplift and recharge the masses.