God’s Word Points Us to Be Patient in Intercession

Week 41, Thursday

Karyn Wilton

For I hope in You, O Lord; You will answer, O Lord my God. Psalm 38:15 (nasb)

Is there someone in your life who you are patiently waiting to come into a saving knowledge of our Lord and Savior? Are you standing at the gates of heaven, rattling them frantically as you intercede for God to open up his or her heart’s door? We need great patience as we travail in prayer for our lost loved ones, friends, or acquaintances.

The psalmist said, “Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him for the help of His presence” (Psalm 42:5, nasb). Do you find yourself despairing? Our gracious Lord tells us to be still and know that He is God (see Psalm 46:10). We can be so impatient at times and often wonder if our prayers are even reaching heaven.

King David did a good thing but in the wrong way. He ordered the ark of the covenant to be carried to Jerusalem, but not in the manner God had told him. When David finally brought up the ark on the shoulders of the priests as he should have in the first place, he knew the pleasure of the Lord. Too often we fret about our loved ones and friends and are anxious. We carry the burden ourselves instead of being still and placing total confidence in the author and finisher of our faith. Our hope is our Lord, the maker of heaven and earth and at His feet we place our burdens in stillness and quietness as we patiently wait for God to do His perfect redemptive work.

Dear Lord, here I am once again bringing this dear one before Your throne of grace. Once again, I implore you, Holy Spirit, to invade this one’s life with the revelation of her eternal condition without You. Will You open the eyes of her understanding? Will Your Holy Spirit bring conviction to her today? Will You, by Your grace, intercept her day so she may encounter You as her Lord and Savior? I cast myself upon your mercy on behalf of this precious soul. Please be merciful and bring her to salvation. Your ways are higher and Your ways are often beyond our comprehension. Teach me to patiently trust You as You alone draw this one into Your fold. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.