We live in a microwave culture. We want everything quickly, if not instantly, but that’s not how intercession works. Intercession is taking hold of God’s will for another person or situation and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass. It isn’t a weak request but a tenacious prayer that requires importunity or persistence in solicitation. Perseverance, according to Jesus, was the essential element of prayer (see Luke 18:1-8).
We see the same idea in Isaiah 62:6-7 (NIV), which says, “I have posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth.” In other words, we keep praying until we are confident we have received the breakthrough. We keep praying until we receive a release in the spirit, telling us that our mission in prayer is accomplished, or until we see the answer to our prayers manifest in the natural.
Intercession often takes time—sometimes days, months, years or even decades. Intercession is not for the faint of heart: it is for the courageous, the tenacious, the brave. But when we persevere in intercession, we can know that our prayers will accomplish much (see James 5:16). We may not always see what our prayers are doing but they are at work. That’s why perseverance matters, why Jesus said that “at all times [we] ought to pray and not become discouraged” (Luke 18:1, NASB). We may not see much in the natural but in the spiritual realm, we are undoing the works of darkness and making a way for the will of God. Believing that our prayers affect real change enables us to persevere until breakthrough comes.
People prayed for me for a year before I was born again. They prayed in tongues and they prayed the Word over me. And when they started to pray, suddenly the Holy Spirit began to convict me about my lifestyle and draw me toward His heart. Of course, at the time, I didn’t know they were praying and I didn’t understand what was happening, but suddenly the things of the world were not so satisfying and I began to crave something more. A tug-of-war began in my heart—a war between darkness and the kingdom of God. Because those intercessors prayed for me and kept praying for me for an entire year, the kingdom won. The craving in my spirit ultimately led me to Christ. The light of Jesus began to fully shine in my heart and I realized I needed to be born again.
As intercessors, we get to help birth the will of God in people’s lives. And with the revival brewing in our land, God has much work for us to do. If we will only persevere in prayer, we will be amazed by what will be accomplished! {eoa}
For more teachings and content from Margie Fleurant on prayer and intercession, follow her on Facebook and Instagram @MargieFleurantMinistries and follow Margie on YouTube for video content, including prayer calls, teaching and events. Check out Margie’s books and other audio content at margiefleurant.org.
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