Suffering Intercession

Can Jesus Christ see the agony of His soul in us? He can’t unless we are so closely identified with him that we have His view concerning the people for whom we pray. May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelmingly satisfied with us as intercessors.

Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest, March 31

How much suffering, perseverance, and receipt of grace does it take to bring us to the point that we can elevate others’ needs above our own? How humble must we be to accept more hardship to show another the love of Christ? Is it a matter of maturity or a total willingness to allow God to change us from the sinful people we were to the workers He needs? When we are changed from the inside out, He brings us into a new identification with Jesus Christ. No longer are we selfish consumers. We become doers of His word and intercessors. Suffering becomes something we recognize as His power working in our lives.

Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice and your example. Continue to teach us how to manifest your love in our lives. Make us conduits to other people’s salvation, healing, and recovery.

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Media: Andrea Mantegna , Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (enhanced & cropped)