Have You Been Called to Pray?

I was unchurched as a child. I got married at 18, and got saved at almost 21. It was in the Jesus Movement, and we were off the wall, feet off the floor, way out there Charismatics. I still am. My husband is calmer than I, but that's just his personality, not his spirituality. We didn't understand how anyone who knew Jesus could possibly be calm about it, or reserved, or ho- hum. How could people just sit in their pews, or not talk about Him all the time? He is so amazing, and He loves US!!! What better reason to jump and shout and be a fanatic?

Because I had not had religion in my life, I had missed all the unbelief that layers so many congregations. I just figured that the Bible is God's Word, and is true. Therefore, if there's something in there that I couldn't understand, the problem was with my understanding, and not with it being untrue. Being that innocent was a real blessing, and God could get hold of me about stuff that lots of people struggle with. I was eager to accept what He said, and to hope that He would bring it to pass for me, in me, and through me.

By His precious Spirit He told me who I am in His Body, and that I am a prophet. Well, maybe you already know that it takes several decades of walking with the Lord to Become a Prophet, and that what He declares about us is not always immediately made manifest! I suffered a lot over the years because I "knew" who I was, and others didn't always "see" that! (wry grin here) The point in telling you this story is that along the way, I kept hearing about "intercessors" and "intercessory prayer" while I was out there hearing 'words' for folks and sharing them. I was learning to listen carefully and share only what I heard from Holy Spirit, growing in the gift of prophecy.

Remember that my only experiences with church were all brand new without context - completely subjective. Well, all I 'knew' about intercessors was my impression that they were little old ladies with blue hair who sat in somebody's parlor gossiping about Ethel's arthritis or wayward son and calling it prayer. Sound offensive? Sound condescending? Oh, yeah. I thought my gift was 'bigger' than that. My Father loves to show me when I am being judgmental or proud. Prophets can't afford to have such mess in their hearts.

He began to speak with me about prayer, and told me that I am an intercessor. So, it behooved me to find out what that really means. He began to teach me. He put me in relationship with other intercessors. He "grew me up" in my gifts and calling. He later told me that one can be an intercessor and not be a prophet, but one can never be a prophet without being an intercessor. That's because a prophet must have God's heart for people. He even taught me that if I did NOT have his heart, I had no right to give a prophetic word to Anyone. Even a stranger deserves to have someone prophetic speak from God's heart, and not their own judgment mixed in with God's holy word. And when we do know someone, it can be even harder not to mix in the advice we have been wanting to give them with the pure, unadulterated word we hear from God. But it is imperative.

This is about integrity. It's about being an instrument instead of a Personality.

It is His desire for us each to be mightily used as His humble servant, as His listening friend, as His dear child, as His ministering healer. He wants us to have a heart to help, and not to hurt. What is the beginning of the Physician's creed, but "First of all, do no harm..."

How do we do this, but to let Him have His perfect way - with us, in us, with others, and for others. As you pray, put His will above your own. Desire for His plan to take effect, even over your own need, or opinion, or heartache. Want what He wants more than what you want. And His mighty, warm, and gentle hand will rest on your bent head as He lovingly approves your prayers.

We are all on a journey, and you are well on the road. Never think you have already arrived, ok? This portion of the road may have been difficult, but even if you don't feel successful, even if you feel you are failing, Jesus is the Captain of your victory, and He will not let you fail. There is a contemporary Christian song that says something like, "if you see me on my knees it's not because I've failed. I'm getting stronger: I'm on my knees." Every humbling experience makes His power more real to us, and His devotion and constancy more real to us. He is always real, but what we receive and know we must also appropriate and walk in. He will use this experience, as hard as it has been, to continue to change YOU and what He can do in and through you in the days ahead. There is always more. He is the God of "yes, and..." He is the Almighty. His purposes for you are already written in His book, and He is taking you by the hand and leading you into the fullness thereof.

And may the oil of healing drip off of your fingers, may His love shine from your eyes, may His salvation be a warm cloud of incense that exudes from your being so that everyone around you breathes in His Presence and His acceptance and His forgiveness wherever you go.

May you continue to be strengthened as you remain on your knees.

Your fellow prayer warrior,

Sarah, She Who Waits