The Ministry of Intercession Part 12

="Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, as I am not of the world."=--JOHN xvii. 11, 15, 16.

In the last night Christ asked three things for His disciples: that they might be kept as those who are not of the world; that they might be sanctified; that they might be one in love. You cannot do better than pray as Jesus prayed. Ask for G.o.d's people that they may be kept separate from the world and its spirit; that they, by the Holy Spirit, may live as those who are not of the world.

HOW TO PRAY.--Having Confidence before G.o.d

="Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence toward G.o.d. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight."=--1 JOHN iii. 21, 22.

Learn these words by heart. Get them into your heart. Join the ranks of those who, with John, draw nigh to G.o.d with =an a.s.sured heart=, that =does not condemn= them, =having confidence toward G.o.d=. In this spirit pray for your brother who sins (1 John v. 16). In the quiet confidence of an obedient child plead for those of your brethren who may be giving way to sin. Pray for all to be kept from the evil. And say often, ="What we ask, we receive, because we keep and do."=

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

SIXTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Spirit of Love in the Church

="I pray that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them and Thou in Me; that the world may know that Thou didst send Me, and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me ... that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me may be in them, and I in them."=--JOHN xvii. 23.

="The fruit of the Spirit is love."=--GAL. v. 22.

Believers are one in Christ, as He is one with the Father. The love of G.o.d rests on them, and can dwell in them. Pray that the power of the Holy Ghost may so work this love in believers, that the world may see and know G.o.d's love in them. Pray much for this.

HOW TO PRAY.--As one of G.o.d's Remembrancers

="I have set watchmen on thy walls, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that are the Lord's remembrancers, keep not silence, and give Him no rest."=--ISA. lxii. 6.

Study these words until your whole soul be filled with the consciousness, I am appointed intercessor. Enter G.o.d's presence in that faith. Study the world's need with that thought--it is my work to intercede; the Holy Spirit will teach me for what and how. Let it be an abiding consciousness: My great life-work, like Christ's, is intercession--to pray for believers and those who do not yet know G.o.d.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS

SEVENTH DAY

WHAT TO PRAY.--For the Power of the Holy Spirit on Ministers

="I beseech you that ye strive together with me in your prayers to G.o.d for me."=--ROM. xv. 30.

="He will deliver us; ye also helping together by your supplication on our behalf."=--2 COR. i. 10, 11.

What a great host of ministers there are in Christ's Church. What need they have of prayer. What a power they might be, if they were all clothed with the power of the Holy Ghost. Pray definitely for this; long for it. Think of your own minister, and ask it very specially for him.

Connect every thought of the ministry, in your town or neighbourhood or the world, with the prayer that all may be filled with the Spirit. Plead for them the promise, ="Tarry till ye be clothed with power from on high." "Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Ghost is come upon you."=

HOW TO PRAY.--In Secret

="But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy inner chamber, and having shut to thy door, pray to the Father which is in secret."=--MATT. vi. 6.

="He withdrew again into the mountain to pray, _Himself alone_."=--MATT. xiv. 23; JOHN vi. 15.

Take time and realise, when you are alone with G.o.d: Here am I now, face to face with G.o.d, to intercede for His servants. Do not think you have no influence, or that your prayer will not be missed. Your prayer and faith will make a difference. Cry in secret to G.o.d for His ministers.

SPECIAL PEt.i.tIONS