Intercession Made an Impression!

Posted by: Bruce Stoker on Tuesday, July 15th, 2008

On Monday, July 14, about a dozen of us from Memorial climbed into the church van and headed out to the intersection of Telegraph and Schoolcraft to meet up with Larry Simmons, pastor of Babe Memorial AME Church, and a couple dozen more folks from other churches to intercede for Detroit, Michigan, the United States, and the rest of the world. Simmons and other ministers from the greater Detroit area planned this date based upon 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (NIV).

Mark began the current sermon series, “Real Revival,” on this passage, and just this past Sunday (July 13), he preached that “intercession makes an impression.” That’s why we went. That’s what we did. We prayed for the Church, for the city, for the region, for the world, because we all need God’s presence.

I have to confess. On a Monday morning, with the fall programming looming, with an unwritten sermon and Bible school lesson waiting to be finished, with all kinds of email to answer and other things to do, I wasn’t thrilled with the idea of leaving the office for a few hours. But the Holy Spirit pushed me out the door (“What did you preach yesterday? Were you paying attention?”).

When we found the group (“Hey, that guy has a Bible! It has to be them”), we were greeted warmly—with hugs! Then we praised God together for a few minutes. Then we prayed. I have to tell you, some of our brothers and sisters in Christ from other traditions and denominations, wow, can they pray! And when Larry Simmons prayed for Mark, I was also blessed.

And it made an impression. I know that the sermon intended for us to understand that our prayers for others “impresses” God, but the intercession of those brothers and sisters for Mark and this church and our ministry moved me. Praise God that we’re Christians only, but not the only Christians!

Topics: Bruce's Blogs

Comments are closed.