I’ve been in deep intercession this week for several people. If I’m committed to pray for people, I want it to be with power. Dutch Sheets, in his book, Intercessory Prayer, gave me a good visual for intercession. He said, “Intercession is like a tree that has been hit by lightning.” Only another intercessor would get excited about this! Sheets declares, “The lightning is so hot it literally changes the molecular structure of the trees and twists the trunks until they look like stripes on a candy cane. The temperature in a lightning bolt can reach 30,000 degrees Celsius, hotter than the surface of the sun! That’s hot stuff!” It is a picture for me of His judgments.
Habakkuk 3:4: And His brightness was like the sunlight; rays streamed from His hand; and there in the sun-like splendor was the hiding place of His power.
Prayer lets the Son shine forth through us, directing His light to desired situations allowing it to “strike the mark.” Remember the Hebrew word, “Paga!”
When I think of the bright light of God, I like to think of Psalm 97:3, 4 which says: A fire goes before Him and it burns up His enemies round about. His lightnings light the world; the earth sees and trembles.
Sheets challenges us with this plea: Arise, shine, Church, for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Darkness, indeed, does cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples, but it is a defeated darkness. Nations are looking for the light, kings for the brightness of our rising. We are soldiers of the light. We must boldly release the power of the Most High into situations, allowing the victory of Christ access. He has given us His light, He has given us His sword, He has given us His name. Use them!
What power in Sheets' description of intercessory prayer! Whew...I stopped minding this summer's heat when I read that! [seriously]...
ReplyDeleteYes, may the Lord "strike the mark" and hit those areas we are lifting for in prayers. Amen!
Yes, we can be strong in the Lord's mighty power! To Him be the glory! Praying that your heart's petitions are answered. God bless sister Mary. Love you in Christ!
Oh Mary, I feel blessed to know you. I love that your a prayer warrior. I will be praying too. I actually have a book on prayer by Dutch Sheets but maybe I need to pick it up again. I like that analogy. Keep on praying!
ReplyDeleteMary,
ReplyDeleteI too am an intercessor and have never seen that call more than here in Florida! I have been able to meet some of the most precious people in the waiting rooms at Mayo since we go at the same time most everyday and wow the Lord has laid the people on my heart to pray in intercede for them.
I will have to check this book out :)
Thankyou for your prayers....and thankyou for your deep interession.
i love you dearly
Amen, very awesome.
ReplyDeletePraying and interceding with you my sister!!
ReplyDeleteLove that...tree hit with lightning!!!
May we all stir up in our prayer life even more. It's a privilege and honor to pray for others.
I love you and I'm praying for you and YOURS...
All I can hope is that I might be one of those folk you prating for :)
ReplyDeleteIf so thanks
hugs
Opps...praying for.
ReplyDeleteGreat post... I love the fact that you are a praying machine too.. We serve amazing God and to stay in fellowship with Him is such an honor and blessing.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Kelly
I didn't read this post until after I compleed my own this morning. Interesting thing: the power of THAT Name!
ReplyDeleteOh may we all learn to lean hard into Him. It is there that we are best heard, and it is there that our prayers are shaped and formed into answers.
God bless you!
Kathleen
Love the title of your post! Striking the mark with the light within us is as powerful spiritually. Amen. "Arise and empower that light within us and change the world." That is what I got out of your post today Mary! Thank you!
ReplyDeletePowerful description! There are so many to pray for....so many needs! Thank you for being a faithful prayer warrior.
ReplyDeleteAndrea