Laying Down Your Life in Intercession

Scripture has much to say about Christians judging each other, and even more to say about praying for one another and lifting each other up. Read this quote from Holiness, Truth and the Presence of God,  by Francine Frangipane and let God speak to your heart through it.

"Anyone can pass judgment - but can they lay down their lives in love, intercession and faith for the

one judged? Can they target an area of need and rather than criticize, fast and pray,

asking God to supply the very virtue they feel lacking? And then persevere in that 

love-motivated prayer until that fallen area blooms in godliness? 

Such is the life Christ commands we follow!"

Anybody say "ouch"? Me too. I'm trying to remember the last time I persevered in love-motivated prayer. I have a prayer list, and I have tried to stay with it. Sometimes I get tired of waiting though, for God to answer. What do I know of laying down my life in prayer? Not enough. 

And still, when I see something that isn't right my first thought isn't to take them to the throne of God and ask for mercy and grace and healing. It is to criticize. It's so automatic. God must just shake his head sometimes, wondering how many more chances it will take to get it right. Well He already knows that I will never always get it right, and he is gracious and merciful to me every day because I need it so much. 

Is there someone who needs you to persevere in love-motivated prayer right now? Renew your commitment to them and to God and begin today to lift them once again to the lap of God where they, like we, find grace, peace, forgiveness, healing and security.