“Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
As believers, it is easy to promise someone to pray for them. A struggling brother or sister in Christ may have shared a particular burden with you, and almost the natural response is to say to them: “I will pray for you.” And yet the promise of prayer, though perhaps encouraging for the moment, does little good without the fulfilling of that promise. We are repeatedly reminded in Scripture to pray for one another. Each Sunday, we are reminded of those who are in special need of prayer. And the Prayer Chain that goes out regularly lists the special needs and struggles within this congregation. And yet, I dare say, each of us, knows what it is to have made the promise to pray for someone, and then fail to follow through. Because of our humanness and because of our sin, we sometimes forget and we often fail.
How good it is to know that we have a Saviour who never fails us, and who never forgets us!! The apostle Paul emphasizes that point in the above verse when he declares that Christ Jesus is indeed interceding for us! Robert Murray M’Cheyne has said this: “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me!”
Although there may be occasion when we feel alone, and perhaps even feel that nobody cares, we must learn not to trust our feelings, which often deceive us, but trust the Word of God which will never deceive us! Hebrews 7:25 reminds us that our Savior ever lives to make intercession for us. His love for you is perfect and His prayers on your behalf are continual and effectual! May God help us to be diligent in prayer for those who are struggling, and may God help all of us to trust in and rejoice in our interceding Saviour!
Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea;
A great High Priest, whose Name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.