Gather the Intercessors

Jesus: Again I say to you, that if two believers on earth agree [that is, are of one mind, in harmony] about anything that they ask [within the will of God], it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. [1 John 5:14] For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them. Matthew 18:19-20

Pentecost: When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place… Acts 2:1

Early Church: After Peter and John were released, they returned to their own [people] and reported everything that the chief priests and elders had said to them. And when they heard it, they raised their voices together to God… Acts 4:23-24a

United Prayer

These and many more verses in the New Testament clearly underscore the power of united prayer. So why aren’t we doing it today? I believe that spiritual enemy forces around Penticton are working hard to keep people from the work of the kingdom by worldly distractions. Even in churches, we rarely pray together – at best we pray near each other.

Notice that the Holy Spirit found the followers of Jesus faithfully waiting together in an upper room on the day of Pentecost! These were not Sunday morning church-goers; they were people who walked away from careers, reputations and even personal securities to follow Jesus Christ. They risked their lives just by meeting together after He ascended to heaven.

A Direct Word

Several of us have been praying for Penticton and heard the Holy Spirit say “Gather the intercessors” to each one. Hearing the same word from others has built my faith that Jesus is planning something and He wants us to prepare the way for Him to enter this city as the Lord of hosts! His instruction is to gather those who intercede. An intercessor “pleads on behalf of another” or “go between opposing parties”.

The Commission

Gathering the intercessors is the first instruction our group has received from the Holy Spirit. Could each of us commit to do the following?

1. Focus our inner eyes on Jesus. Ask Him to show us people around us that we should gather as intercessors for this mighty task before us.

2. Prepare for each invitation. Where possible, meet in person with each invitee and communicate the importance of this project – the spiritual transformation of the city of Penticton!

3. Take time to invite each one to our next in-person meeting (to be announced).

As you finish reading this, consider the following tragic commentary from our heavenly Father on the lack of an intercessor…

Father God: I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for [the sake of] the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found no one [not even one]. Ezekiel 22:30

Not. Even. One! God was looking for someone to stop His righteous judgment on a stubborn rebellious nation. He wants us to dialog with Him, to intercede, to plead on the behalf of the lost! Can we be that person today?