Prophetic Intercession: Resting

“By practice of the Presence of God, by steadfast gaze on Him, the soul comes to a knowledge of God, full and deep, to an unclouded vision: all it’s life is passed in unceasing acts of love and worship, of contrition and of simple trust, of praise and prayer, and service; at times indeed life seems to to be but one long unbroken practice of His Divine Presence.” Brother Lawrence

To be unclouded, unbiased, undistracted...this should be the goal of every believer when seeking the will of God and listening for His voice.  It is so easy for us to get religious even about not becoming religious.  Our hearts can get heavy with our own opinions and perceptions.  We can become too confident in what we know, see, believe, that we fail to realize that our hearts are severely disconnected to the heart of God.  In my life, I have found, that the biggest hindrances to me hearing His voice are the stresses of life; lack of finances, a calendar that is simply too full, friends in distress, and family stresses all seem to cloud my vision and make spending time with Jesus difficult.  We can again, fall so easily into condemnation.  We rehearse in our minds all the reasons why we are distant from God...laziness, lack of faith, sin, need to do more for Him, need to hear more from Him.  The list can go on and on.  All of these thoughts just feed into the problem and we take steps backwards and further from the presence of God even as we are so desperate for more of Him.  The answer isn’t try harder, work harder or be a better Christian.  The answer is resting in Him.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me all who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”       

What a beautiful invitation!  “Come and rest!  Let Me teach you how to rest!  How to be gentle and humble like Me!”  Jesus had a very busy ministry, He had 12 disciples to teach and steward, and many others to care for as they followed Him from village to village.  He had haters and scoffers, the religious were after Him, many needed Him, wanted Him, pulled on Him and demanded His attention...and yet He knew how to rest through it all and He is inviting us now to learn from Him the secrets to His success!  Not just in ministry but in having a relationship with His Father through it all.  We don’t have to have it all figured out, all we have to do is COME!  As we learn to come to Him and rest in Him, we will hear His voice as He counsels us, teaches us, and comforts us.  

It is so easy for us as intercessors to slip into burdensome labor in the place of prayer.  We can take someones great need and wear it as a yoke, carrying a weight that we do not have the grace to carry, because we are not meant too.  Discernment is such a wonderful gift, especially as an intercessor who depends on our spiritual and natural understanding to fuel our prayers.  However, there is a difference between feeling a burden and carrying a burden. 

Galatians 6:2

“Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”

Psalms 52:22

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”

I picture myself holding a large mirror in my hands, always facing out and up.  The Lord shows me a need, a burden, His heart...it hits me, right in the mirror and it bounces right back to Him in the form of prayer.  I feel the impact, I bear the burden for a moment, but then I “cast it” right back on to Him.  A friend comes to me with a deep, painful need, it hits me in the mirror and reflects right up to Jesus through my intercession for them.  I feel it, but I don’t carry it.  This is the only way I can intercede for as many people and situations as I do.  It is light, not heavy.  It is a joy and not a burden.  Yes, I weep sometimes, I travail sometimes, sometimes I will mourn all day long as I am praying for a friend who is hurting, but I am feeling....not carrying.  There is a difference.   When I walk away from intercession, I know that Jesus is carrying the burden, and the ones I have been praying for.  I know that He is helping and comforting them.  He is faithful to meet every need.  My job is done and I can walk away, make dinner for my family and laugh with my friends because I have partnered with Jesus in the place of prayer and He will answer my petitions to Him.  I can rest in Him and His faithfulness.

Mark 6:31 

“And he said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” 

Personal Application:  Take some time to today to fall into the arms of Jesus, to rest in Him.  Release any burdens you may be carrying.  Say the names of all of the loved ones whom you carry in your heart and/or on your back and give them all to Jesus.  Ask Him to specifically remove heavy yokes from your shoulders and neck regarding social issues that you may be contending for and to place His yoke on your neck instead.  Spend some time soaking in gentle worship and position yourself to receive His love, His peace, His counsel.  He will teach you how to be a restful intercessor!

yoke  (yk)

n.

1.

a. A crossbar with two U-shaped pieces that encircle the necks of a pair of oxen or other draft animals working together.

b. pl. yoke or yokes A pair of draft animals, such as oxen, joined by a yoke.

c. A bar used with a double harness to connect the collar of each horse to the pole of a wagon or coach.

2. A frame designed to be carried across a person's shoulders with equal loads suspended from each end.

3. Nautical A crossbar on a ship's rudder to which the steering cables are connected.

4. A clamp or vise that holds a machine part in place or controls its movement or that holds two such parts together.

5. A piece of a garment that is closely fitted, either around the neck and shoulders or at the hips, and from which an unfitted or gathered part of the garment is hung.

6. Something that connects or joins together; a bond or tie.

7. Electronics A series of two or more magnetic recording heads fastened securely together for playing or recording on more than one track simultaneously.

8.

a. Any of various emblems of subjugation, such as a structure made of two upright spears with a third laid across them, under which conquered enemies of ancient Rome were forced to march in subjection.

b. The condition of being subjugated by or as if by a conqueror; subjugation or bondage: v.tr.

1. To fit or join with a yoke.

2.

a. To harness a draft animal to.

b. To harness (a draft animal) to a vehicle or an implement.

3. To join securely as if with a yoke; bind: 4. To force into heavy labor, bondage, or subjugation.

v.intr.

To become joined securely.