Tag Archives: intercession

A Spiritual Dashboard

Posted on February 16, 2019 by expressyourself4him

Dashboards are typically a console that a driver or pilot faces. This panel consists of controls, gauges and instruments that enables an operator to keep track of all the working parts. Modern dashboards have been developed by businesses in the form of a home page website. These electronic dashboards display charts, metrics and various elements that summarize daily, monthly and annual production numbers.

But the [Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you, John 14:26.

If you wanted to create a spiritual dashboard, the first piece would be a compass. Instead of containing a magnetized pointer which shows the direction of magnetic north, this devise would detect God’s will. Depending upon the choices, decisions and steps that you take, a spiritual compass monitors how close or far off you are from God. Other potential gauges include battery, fuel, lights and odometer. Each instrument serves as an assessment to indicate your spiritual health.

In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words, Romans 8:26.

The apostle Paul compares prayer to an invisible dashboard. Whenever you offer up prayers and requests to God, you will reach a point where you run out of things to say. If you draw a blank, lean on the Holy Spirit who knows your exact needs. Those who empty themselves by relying solely on the Holy Spirit will experience periods of intercession. Some of these God instances are hard to explain. Yet, if you are honest with yourself, God often saves the day by using some sort of spiritual dashboard.

by Jay Mankus

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A Spiritual Cleansing

Posted on February 3, 2017 by expressyourself4him

Everyone has some sort of daily routine.  When you get up, shower and grab something to eat or drink is often choreographed.  Some do this without thinking, a natural state to prepare one’s self for the weekly grind called life.  Occasionally, you will come across a human interest story, something unique yet interesting.  Today’s blog was inspired by an Old Testament custom.

His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them, Job 1:4.

Following the birthday of his ten children or one of his grandchildren, Job began to observe a special time of prayer.  Pleading on behalf of his children, Job offered up a sacrifice for each of his family members according to the book of Leviticus.  This time of intercession involved publicly confessing potential sins one of his children may have committed in word, thought or deed.  Before closing with a customary Amen, this act served as a spiritual cleansing to honor, please and revere God.

When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular custom, Job 1:5.

Despite what you may think of the trials Job endured, this spiritual act of worship is something that should be reenacted today.  Everyone has their flaws, some greater than others.  Nonetheless, what if mothers and fathers began to take time out of their busy schedules to beg for God’s grace and mercy?  If applied in the form of a prayer, walking through the rooms of each family member, God would transform individuals one home at a time.  Join me in this quest to revive souls through a regular spiritual cleansing.

by Jay Mankus

 

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Petitions, Prayers and Intercession

Posted on June 15, 2016 by expressyourself4him

If you are moved, passionate or perturbed by a certain issue, you might choose to start a petition.  This formal written request attempts to organize a body of concerned citizens uniting over a common cause.  While I have signed petitions in the past, I’ve never thought of prayer in this context.   According to the apostle Paul, Christians should come together to petition God through concerts of prayer.

I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—1 Timothy 2:1.

Growing up in a Roman Catholic church, I was taught prayer was suppose to be a private matter.  Jesus reaffirms this in the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:6.  Nonetheless, Solomon professes in Ecclesiastes 3 that there is a time for everything.  Thus, whether its drug addiction, suicide or violence, its time to petition God with other like minded individuals to cease these cancers of society.

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise, James 5:13.

In times of desperation, intercession is one of the last lines of defense.  I’ve read several amazing testimonies from church members interceding on behalf of missionaries in the field.  One of my favorites involves a group of believers witnessing to a tribe of head hunters.  During one particular evening, this group’s village was surrounded, fearful for their lives.  Yet, instantaneous prayers ushered angels into action, spooking these warriors away in a biblical like miracle.  Though the situation you are currently encountering may seem dire, petition, prayer and intercession is the best solution to confront mounting issues in life.

by Jay Mankus

 

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When the Holy Spirit Intercedes

Posted on September 25, 2015 by expressyourself4him

There are certain events, occurrences or things that can’t be explained by science.  When the best, brightest and wisest cannot make sense of a situation, the Bible provides clues to the supernatural.  Sometimes the answer to these questions is simply the Holy Spirit interceded.

There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work, 1 Corinthians 12:6.

The apostle Paul lived a life like the classic novel A Tale of Two Cities.  The first half of his life was steeped in religious tradition, persecuting early Christians.  Following an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, a brief period of blindness caused Saul to contemplate the meaning of life.  After a transitional period, trying to comprehend what was happening to him, I guess you can say during this trip, the Holy Spirit intervened.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good, 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Modern Christians have testified to experiencing conversations where they have blacked out.  Although these individuals never collapsed, the Holy Spirit spoke through them.  However, in a letter to the church at Corinth, Paul refers to other manifestations of the Holy Spirit.  These include discernment, dreams, faith, intercession, insight, wisdom and visions.  While nobody knows to whom or when this supernatural event will occur again, yet when the Holy Spirit intercedes it is for the common good of the church.

by Jay Mankus

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The Gift of Intercession

Posted on August 9, 2013 by expressyourself4him

One of the best ways you can demonstrate your love for someone is by praying for them by name.  The term intercession in the context of prayer refers to relying on God to supernaturally intervene bringing about change, healing or transformation.  According to Genesis 24:67, not only did Isaac love his wife, he refused to accept that Rebekah was barren, interceding on her behalf for God to preform a miracle, Genesis 25:21.  Whether you are married, dating someone or unattached, when you enter into God’s presence, Ephesians 6:18-19, intercession can have everlasting results.

Something struck me when I read Genesis 25:21 today.  Instead of focusing on his wife’s situation, like a woe is me attitude, Isaac took action by praying to the Lord.  Whether he learned this from his father Abraham or realized his father did not practice intercession like he should have, God exceeded his prayer with 2 children, not just one.  Sure, Isaac and Rebekah had their faults, lying just as his father and mom did, Genesis 26:1-7.  Yet, a faithful pray-er, especially one who consistently lifts up their spouse to the Lord night after night, spurs the Holy Spirit into action.

For most of my life, prayer has been a struggle, not one of my gifted areas.  However, as I read the prayers of David and see the example of Isaac, I am motivated to pray more than ever for my family and friends.  Join me in this quest, fanning into flame the gift of intercession, 2 Timothy 1:6.  May all those who apply this biblical principle begin to see the fruits of time on their knees.

by Jay Mankus

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