I have been taught that intercession is one of the basic duties of a Christian. There are many passages in the Bible teaching the importance of it. Even if there are stories of men of God, praying for God’s blessings or delays of wrath or for a speedy healing, it never dawned on me until recently.
While I was teaching to my pre-school kids/students, one of them just snapped out and told us he would no longer do the activity tasked for the day. (He got pissed off with a year-old kid walking in front of him and he could not concentrate looking at the blackboard where I wrote his name.) It was one of the tantrums-phase I usually encountered on a day’s work. Other kids had become suddenly aware of the little tension that started. Doing the child-talk, I told them I do not want to teach them English and I will be on leave tomorrow if they do not like it. His twin sister suddenly cried silently, but continually scribbling her name on her paper. I thought that she must be hurt as well since I was having a fight with her twin brother. Asked her, and she replied, “先生、私は良く頑張っているよ。明日も英語をやりたいから、明日も一生にやるね。” （Teacher, I am trying my best writing my name on the paper. Please let us study English tomorrow.） It was honestly a sweet request and my voice softened. I assured her that we will be having English class the following day.
Being put on the other shoes, I understand what intercession is all about. I saw God’s point of view in the matter and how He honors the prayers of His beloved. I may not understand it fully before, as they said, that I do not have kids yet. But when your children are crying to you, there is no way that you will not be moved. I recalled so many times in my life that I cried to my father. And father did something to ease the pain.
Now I do more appreciate the value of intercession. It only shows how God is merciful and graceful to the people He have called His own. And how He tasked His children to pray and intercede for the souls lost whom He wants to reach out.
Thank you Lord, my God, for opening my eyes on the matter.
Post-note:
On Sodom and Gomorrah’s fate, Abraham negotiated for their salvation with God. For the sake of fifty righteous people, God told Abraham that he would withhold his wrath. Negotiations were done from fifty to forty-five, down to thirty, twenty, and last, ten. If there were only at least ten righteous people living in the city, God would spare. For the sake of His beloved…
Reference: Genesis 18:23-33
