The Song of the Interceder

James 5:16

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

            There is nothing much darker in life than a parent’s broken heart over a prodigal. Broken hearts need not be limited to parents, however. It could be a child’s longing for a parent to come to Christ, or a grandparent for a grandchild. Every one of those tears from weeping eyes are bottled in remembrance before the God who sees and hears.

            How much are these prayers worth? Is there any value in something so seemingly small? When weeping drowns out the songs of praise that once came so easily, is there hope of remembering it again?

            An ancient bishop, Augustine, wrote in his book, Confessions, of how the prayers of his mother ultimately brought him to Christ after living a wild and wicked life. Monica not only prayed and fasted for her son herself, but she also sought other godly people who would pray along with her. A year before her death, her son came back to her to share his salvation testimony. Her faith was made sight on this side of heaven! (bible.org/seriespage/2-monica-mother-st-augustine-portraint-praying-mother)

            This is one well-known story among thousands unwritten, though we will have eternity to hear them all. But how does this apply to those who may still be waiting and praying for their own prodigal, and what does God’s Word have to encourage those who still weep?

            I came across some verses that stopped me in my reading this morning.  

Revelation 8:1-5

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

            Immediately preceding these verses, heaven was exploding in worship before the Lamb who had rescued a great multitude from all nations, kindred, people, and tongues. When this seventh seal was opened, however, there was silence. The prayers of the saints were in that seal, and that brought all of heaven to a standstill.

Why? These were the pleas of all those before the throne interceding for the ones who still refused to repent. When the angel cast them down to the earth, the effect was quite dramatic. Those still on earth heard the voices of those prayers, along with thunder, lightning, and an earthquake. Though this time on earth was a time of judgment for those who refused to repent of their sin and turn to God, He would still send two witnesses a few chapters later to give them another chance to turn to Him.

Jehovah God is a God of mercy, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. All of the Tribulation period is a time of judgment, but it is still far better than an eternity separated from God’s goodness, His light, His joy, His hope, and His mercy. Throughout the entire seven years, He does not cease His calling to repentance.

            The significance of this seal highlights the value God holds of the prayers of the saints. He wastes none of them. In fact, His Word has much to say about it.

His eyes are searching for those in need of His help; His ears are open to the cries of those who live their lives to please Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him…

Psalm 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute,
and not despise their prayer.

Psalm 142:1-2 I cried unto the Lord with my voice;
with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication.
I poured out my complaint before him;
I shewed before him my trouble.

            It is up to the righteous to pray for those far from the Lord. They are unable to come to Him in the state that they are in. This makes our pleadings for the wayward invaluable.

Proverbs 15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord: but the prayer of the upright is his delight..

Proverbs 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked:
but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

            We do not pray alone. His Spirit intercedes with us and for us before the throne.

Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

            Prayer not only keeps the believer’s heart right with God and with others, but James includes the necessity of it as we seek to convert sinners from the error of their way.

James 5:13-19 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

            Much too often, believers say that all they can do is pray. Prayer is viewed as a small thing, and sometimes it does feel small. But God views the prayers of His children with great regard, breathlessly waiting for us to ask Him for what we have need of. When it comes to pleading for the restoration of a prodigal, there is literally no power, no might, and no words that can accomplish what only His Spirit can do in their hearts.

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

            Is there someone you are praying for today? Ask God again work in their life as only He can. Ask Him to use their circumstance to draw them back to His mercy. Until their dying breath, there is hope for their return. Never stop praying! This is the Song of the Interceders.

I Must Tell Jesus

Elisha A. Hoffman

I must tell Jesus all of my trials
I cannot bear these burdens alone
In my distress He kindly will help me
He ever loves and cares for His own

I must tell Jesus I must tell Jesus
I cannot bear by burdens alone
I must tell Jesus I must tell Jesus
Jesus can help me Jesus alone

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles
He is a kind compassionate Friend
If I but ask Him He will deliver
Make of my troubles quickly an end

Tempted and tried I need a great Saviour
One who can help my burdens to bear
I must tell Jesus I must tell Jesus
He all my cares and sorrows will share