[post_When Trials Come][post_Critics][post

“If I could hear Jesus praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” — Robert Murray M’Cheyne

“Our Lord’s intercessions in His earthly prayers make us aware of His present intercessions for us in glory.” — Source Unknown

“I have a great need for Christ; I have a great Christ for my need.” — Charles Spurgeon

“It is Christ . . . who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us” (Rom. 8:34).

Our High Priest the Lord Jesus lives in unceasing prayer, pleading for us before the Father. He continually intervenes on our behalf. As our Mediator, He acts as our Advocate (1 John 2:1, 5). He is the divine go-between between God and us. Just as He represented us to the Father in redemption, He also represents us in the process of sanctification. “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren . . .. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:29, 31). God is for us, with us, and in us. Sounds like victory to me! Jesus has overthrown the enemy without (the world), the enemy within (the flesh), and the enemy beneath (the Devil). Though we are still upon the earth and still contending with these three adversaries, we find strength through Jesus’ prayers.

Jesus prayed for all believers when He was on the earth. He prayed for the Comforter to abide with us (John 14:6). In John 17, He prayed multiple times for His followers. He not only prayed for His immediate disciples, but He also prayed for all believers in all ages. He said, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20). His prayer was not confined to His time on earth. In Heaven, He is now at God’s right hand where He makes intercession for us. This thought is repeated, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus lives to make intercession for His saints.

Peter was brimming with self-confidence when he confirmed his undying allegiance to Christ. But less than 24 hours later, he denied the Lord three times in a row with cursing. Upon making eye contact with Jesus, he remembered those words, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times” (Matt. 26:75). Then he went out and wept bitterly. He did not repudiate the Lord once, or twice, but three times! Jesus had prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail — “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.” Clearly, it was not Peter’s promises that got him through this; it was Jesus’ prayers. Jesus knew that Peter would deny Him, so He prayed ahead of time. Likewise, the Lord Jesus has anticipated our failures. Our lapses in faith and predispositions are not a surprise to Him. He not only knows our tendencies, He knows the beginning from the end. So, He intercedes for us with full knowledge of our weakness and imperfections. If no one else calls your name in prayer, be encouraged that Jesus is praying for you.

All our sins and failures were covered by the blood of the Cross. But there is equal comfort in the thought that Jesus is currently praying for each of us. He is advocating for us, pleading our case before the Father. His prayers recovered Peter, and His prayers will recover you. Your failure may be bad, but it could have been worse. Your Savior is looking out for you, and He knows what you will face. Jesus was tempted in these very things while on earth, and so He is able to sympathize with your weaknesses (Heb. 4:15). And having faced the same issues, He knows how to intercede on your behalf. He was tempted, but never sinned. He suffered, but rose victorious. Knowledge of His prayers for you should warm your battle-scarred heart. Since Jesus is praying for you, you will make it through. Fears and anxieties lose their grip as our hearts are strengthened by the prayers of Jesus.

Thought Questions:

Have you taken time to meditate on the fact that God is for us, with us, and in us?
Are you actively shedding your self-confidence and pride, and clinging to Christ alone?
Have you truly grasped the reality that Jesus is praying for you now in Heaven?

This chapter was written by Evangelist Harold Vaughan.