Well, here we are in 2022, chaos swirling all around us, darkness and evil seeming to close in on us. Yet, as believers, we are so privileged to be alive in this time. I personally am so grateful to live in the here and now. There has never been a day like this day, a more opportune time for the Church of Jesus Christ to shine. Remember this verse from Isaiah 60?
“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
Jesus made an unconditional promise: “I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. No ifs, ands or buts. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 that He is returning for a glorious Church, without spot or blemish. Not some old hag on death’s door, but a beautiful and perfect Bride, “fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners”. Hallelujah!
What does all of this have to do with empty Kleenex boxes? Could it be that Jesus’ church, His army, needs to think about the weapon of corporate intercession?
Jesus was moved with compassion for the lost, and he poured out his life for them. He wept over the unbelief of the Jews at the tomb of Lazarus. He cried over Jerusalem and the horrors of Rome that she would suffer. Even on the way to the Cross, He offered up prayers to His Father with “strong crying and tears”.
In 1 Timothy chapter 2, Paul gives us instruction in corporate prayer, including intercession for all people, especially “kings and all those in authority”. Did he really mean it? Don’t forget that Nero was emperor of Rome at this time.
Compassion can’t be worked up. But it will come, as we together yield ourselves to the Holy Spirit. Imagine the power in our united intercession under His anointing. An emergency run to the store for more boxes of Kleenex!
Years ago, in another state, we heard a news report that Uganda’s evil dictator was rounding up all the missionaries there for no good purpose. On that Sunday night a spirit of intercession fell on our church and we cried out to God for these people. Result? We learned later that his evil plans collapsed and the missionaries were safe. Has God changed? What a privilege we have to intercede for the lost!