The BLB Blog

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"If I could hear Christ praying for me…"

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Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
(Hebrews 4:14-16)

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
(Romans 8:31-34)

 

God’s word tells us that Jesus Christ, our great Lord and Redeemer, has ascended to God’s right hand, and from there, He “indeed is interceding for us.”

Think about that. The Greek word for “interceding” is taking from ἐντυγχάνω (pronounced “entygchanō”), which means “to to to or meet a person, especially for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication; to pray or entreat (see Blue Letter Bible). In other words, Jesus is sitting on His throne on high at this very moment, and He is pleading within the Godhead and praying for His church. What comfort this should give us! In our victories and trials, in the valleys of spiritual life, and in our affliction and suffering, our Savior who hung on a cross for us, He also intercedes for us. Consider these words from Robert Murray M’Cheyne:

“I ought to study Christ as a living Saviour more,—as a Shepherd, carrying the sheep He finds,—as a King, reigning in and over the souls He has redeemed,—as a Captain, fighting with those who fight with me (Psalm 35), as One who has engaged to bring me through all temptations and trials, however impossible to flesh and blood.

I am often tempted to say, ‘How can this Man save us? How can Christ in heaven deliver me from lusts which I feel raging in me, and nets I feel enclosing me?’ This is the father of lies again! ‘He is able to save unto the uttermost.’

I ought to study Christ as an Intercessor. He prayed most for Peter, who was to be most tempted. I am on His breastplate.

If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million of enemies. Yet the distance makes no difference; He is praying for me.”

–Robert Murray McCheyne and Andrew A. Bonar, Memoir and Remains of the Rev. Robert Murray McCheyne.

Comments

  1. I love it!

    I am a child of God!
    I am a child of God!
    I am a child of God!

    He calls me friend.

    Thank you Jesus for being the bridge to God the Father for me!
    No matter how much the evil one tries to attack me you always intercede for me.

    • “little children”

      Mat 18:3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

      Mat 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

      Mar 10:14
      Luk 18:16

      1Jo 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

      1Jo 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.

      1Jo 2:13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him [that is] from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.

      1Jo 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.

      1Jo 2:28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

      1Jo 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

      1Jo 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

  2. Jesus loves me!
    This I know,
    For the Bible tells me so.
    Little ones to Him belong;
    They are weak, but He is strong.

    Chorus:

    Yes, Jesus loves me!
    Yes, Jesus loves me!
    Yes, Jesus loves me!
    The Bible tells me so.

    Jesus loves me!
    This I know,
    As He loved so long ago,
    Taking children on His knee,
    Saying, “Let them come to Me.”

    Jesus loves me when I’m good,
    When I do the things I should,
    Jesus loves me when I’m bad,
    Though it makes Him very sad.

    Jesus loves me still today,
    Walking with me on my way,
    Wanting as a friend to give
    Light and love to all who live.

    Jesus loves me!
    He who died
    Heaven’s gate to open wide;
    He will wash away my sin,
    Let His little child come in.

    Jesus loves me!
    Loves me still
    Tho’ I’m very weak and ill;
    That I might from sin be free
    Bled and died upon the tree.

    Jesus loves me!
    He will stay
    Close beside me all the way;
    Thou hast bled and died for me,
    I will henceforth live for Thee.

    Thank you my sweet Jesus for praying for me!

    • What a Friend We Have in Jesus

      1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
      all our sins and griefs to bear!
      What a privilege to carry
      everything to God in prayer!
      O what peace we often forfeit,
      O what needless pain we bear,
      all because we do not carry
      everything to God in prayer.

      2. Have we trials and temptations?
      Is there trouble anywhere?
      We should never be discouraged;
      take it to the Lord in prayer.
      Can we find a friend so faithful
      who will all our sorrows share?
      Jesus knows our every weakness;
      take it to the Lord in prayer.

      3. Are we weak and heavy laden,
      cumbered with a load of care?
      Precious Savior, still our refuge;
      take it to the Lord in prayer.
      Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
      Take it to the Lord in prayer!
      In his arms he’ll take and shield thee;
      thou wilt find a solace there.

      • Our minister reminded us Sunday that Advent Season is rapidly approaching!

        May you enjoy an Advent season full of hope and expectation as you prepare to celebrate Christ’s birth. Remember that Christ is born indeed, and that He is the greatest gift given to anyone–ever! May every Christian express gratitude to God during this blessed season by continuing to share the great gift of Christ with everyone, just as God shared Himself with all of us.

        http://www.hymnsite.com/xmas/xmas.shtml

        • Day By Day By Grace
          Bob Hoekstra
          November 20, 2011
          http://www.blueletterbible.org/devotionals/subscribe.cfm

          Reigning in Life by the “Much More” Grace of God

          “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Now, for those forgiven by grace, there is a victorious life to be lived by humble dependence upon the “abundance of God’s grace.”

  3. Oh Halleluiah! All too often my prayers seem to fall short of the mark. And, I must confess, I sometimes simply fail to pray. But, oh the love of Jesus! What a sweet and glorious and right prayer is His. If I could hear Jesus praying for me, I believe it would re-shape my own prayers. Perhaps I would learn to pray with more focus on His kingdom and less on mine. Perhaps I would learn to give thanks for my trials rather than asking to be delivered from them. In other words, if I could hear Jesus pray, I might just make a whole lot less of myself and alot more of Him. Thank God for the prayers of Jesus, blessed be His name!

  5. Amen. We are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit and the pure word of God. He is the Captain of My Faith and the Bishop of my soul.

  6. Thank you Lord for always interceding on my behalf. I can’t Thank God enough for this precious gift in Jesus Christ. I thank hin for the home we have in glory, the place that he’s prepared for me, and he will be diligent to see me get there. Amen, praise the Lord for his wonders and his grace towards us.

  7. As I read through the blog and comments, it occurred to me the importance of Jesus’ unconditional love and intercession. So many times, our doctrinal teaching emphasizes the “conditionality” of Biblical promises, my obligation to obedience, etc. While all of that is true and important, sometimes I just need to rest in His “unconditionality”. Sometimes I just need to hear that He is there for me, despite my failings, my shortcomings, my fears, and even my disobedience. Sometimes I just need to know He is there no matter what.

    Thank you Jesus that your love for me is dependent on YOUR ability, not mine! You deserve all the praise I could ever give you!

    Joseph

  8. Dear All in Christ,

    We know we are children of God because we believe in Him and have received Him the very Son of God, Jesus Christ, and He has given us the right to be God’s child. John 1:12

    This is not by will of man, or man’s self effort but by the will of God Himself, their Father. John 1:13 Hallelujah! Praise God & our Saviour the Lord Jesus.

    I was a lost sheep. Confirmed on 13th May 1984 about 16yrs old for the next 24yrs of my life I led a self centred sinful life, to the point that I was eating of the pig slops. My zealousy for a way not of God led me to practice amongst something which was not of God.

    In the 40th year of my life, the Good Shepherd and Saviour of my soul brought me to my knees in repentance, in fear of God with a realisation that my life was to be forfeit without Him and that I had even brought a curse into my home upon my family, my wife and 2 children.

    I have the realisation that it was He, Jesus Christ, our King who continually intercedes for those that He has chosen , who indeed interceded to God Almighty for me. Ye, I am the worst of sinners, a breaker of the first commandment, yet in God’s wonderful mercy and by the Good Shepherd’s prayers, God cut down an arrogant tree and brought it low. In His grace God showed me a clear choice, the wide way to certain death or the narrow path, “that Ancient path where the Good Way is” [written somewhere in Jeremiah].

    I returned by grace to He who says “I Am the Way,the Truth and the Life, none come to the Father but by me” John 14:6 [A scripture inscribed in my Bible cover by my parents, and given to me at 6yrs old]. As an elder in Japan said in my 40th year ‘Nothing with God is by coincidence.’

    John 10:27-30
    “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they shall never die. No one can snatch them from me [my hand]. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater, and none can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.” Hallelujah!

    One request Pat G. and all who are able. Please pray for me this week. I am in warfare of the spirit. Blessings in Christ. Mark H. NZ

    • Mark,

      * One request Pat G. and all who are able. Please pray for me this week. I am in warfare of the spirit. Blessings in Christ. *

      You absolutely have my prayers, as well I am sure, of all others who read your posts.

      Mark, we have all been in places in our lives when we feel we have let our Savior down.

      I too have Godly sorrow. We all do Mark. We all do.

      The great thing is no matter our failings, he loves us more. Jesus is more. More than love any of us can even dream to imagine. Beyond all human understanding.

      Bible Knowledge.com

      God Will Help You With Your Sin Areas
      http://www.bible-knowledge.com/god-will-help-you-with-your-sin-areas/

      Spiritual Warfare
      http://www.bible-knowledge.com/spiritual-warfare/

      “… This section will be giving you very specific, battle-tested advice on how to spiritually defend yourself against whatever storm clouds may come against you in this life. We will show you how to form out the appropriate kinds of battle prayers to war against any enemy that may come against you, whether it be human, demonic or any kind of illness or disease… ”

      4.Battle Verses of the Bible
      5.Healing Verses of the Bible
      6.Deliverance Verses From the Bible

      To all, we are always subject to attack, put on the Armor of God. The closer we get to our Savior, Satan tries to arrest us.

      GREAT NEWS!

      Jesus wins! He always wins!

      Blessings to all out there on their walks with the blessed hope to see Jesus’s face someday. Keep walking!

      • Mark,

        Scripture can give us so much hope and power.

        Battle Verses of the Bible
        http://www.bible-knowledge.com/battle-verses-of-the-bible/

        “…
        This is absolutely the number one foundational verse in which all true spiritual warfare in the Lord will be based on.

        Here it is:

        “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7) …”

        1.“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

        2.“The Lord is my strength and my shield …” (Psalm 28:7)

        3.“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, and made me bold with strength in my soul.” (Psalm 138:3)

        4.“O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.” (Psalm 68:35)

        5.“He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” (Isaiah 40:29)

        6.“For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:26)

        …”

        Remember…

        Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

        I found this page and have written it’s author, a fine and Godly man. I carry his charts in my Bible’s white pages.

        The Armor of God
        http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/armorofgod.html

        Picture yourselves with an actual Suit of Armor. Put on each piece one verse at a time.

        • When in great despair.

          Cry out LOUD

          JESUS!

          He will manifest himself to you in some form or fashion.

          Some ways…

          A warm flowing sensation
          A smile
          A tears of joy
          A word from a friend
          A bird singing
          A child laughing
          A song!

          Going to church and not of coincidence the minister’s Scripture choice and sermon is on the very topic that is concerning you most at the moment.

          Mark is absolutely correct.

          Be still and listen.

          All:

          What are some ways Jesus comes to you?

          • The Lord in His goodness, mercy and grace will sing over me, either awaking to worship & praise songs coming from deep within me in the morning, else while dozing before bed. The most recent was ‘Blessed be the Lord God Almighty’ which would not let me go for one week. All glory to God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

            Zephaniah 3:17
            The Lord God is with you; His power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in His love He will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you.

            Thank you Jesus for the prayers and encouragement of your people. Mark H

  9. Quote from today’s BLB teaching “I ought to study Christ as an Intercessor”

    Ecclesiastes 5:1-2
    ‘Guard your steps when you go to the house of God; to draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know that they are doing evil’. ‘Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you on earth; therefore let your words be few.’

    I have found myself to be a rash and hasty man before our Lord God in prayer. Yet in Jesus Christ the Intercessor we also have Jesus Christ the Teacher of our prayers. In my own strength I cannot learn to wait and be still before God in the Holy of holies, the inner sanctum of prayer. In order to be still in prayer, awaiting to hear our God the Father’s voice I therefore ask the Lord Jesus to keep me [& my thoughts] still.

    How often in prayer alone behind closed doors do I find myself like Isaiah saying in Isaiah 6:5 “I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful.” The very thoughts of my mind become a battlefield! I like Isaiah have often asked God for the burning coal from the alter of Christ [Isaiah 6:6-7], to be placed on my lips.

    Ye Father in heaven I rejoice! Because you have given me in my heart He who is far better than the burning coal, the King of Glory Jesus Christ who has poured the Helper, the Holy Spirit into my heart.

    I would heartily recommend Andrew Murray’s ‘With Christ in the School of Prayer’ a man of yesterday who studied in Christ His teaching on prayer and Dr Charles Stanley, a man of this era who has I know dwelt in the presence of our Lord in prayer.

    Be still and know Him, Jesus Christ teaching in prayer. All glory be to our God and the Lamb on the throne.

  10. If I just could hear Christ Jesus praying for me,
    it would sound like a green blade of grass growing in the wind.

    • Aw Mira!

      A lovely picture!

      I thought of another comfort Jesus gives me.

      My lil Scottie doggies.

      Whenever I feel overwhelmed, am physically or emotionally hurting they both pile on my lap. I get some doggie kisses and hugs!

      For those of without doggies, I highly recommend them. They are gifts from God to us humans.

  11. James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.”

  13. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

    Oh thank you Jesus for reminding me of this!! Just on the way to work I was worrying about something which relates to this scripture and there u go it took the beautiful Jesus all of only 20mins to let me know the answer!! Thank u jesus for saving me and for the happiness u bring into my life everyday i love u x

  15. Thank you friends for sharing. I gave into tempation this week and walked in a place where I have not walked in a long time and where I should never have walked in the first place. Thank you all for your comments and that you Pat G. for “Jesus Loves Me”. I did not remember many of the verses and the words were healing. You all reminded me that Jesus’ forgiveness greatly exceeds my sinfulness. Thank you all for reminding me of that and pray for me that I will never walk in that place again.

    • My earliest memories of Gof was singing Jesus Loves Me in kinder-Bible School.

      I still sing it when I am troubled to myself. Try singing a simple hymn when you are shaken or disturbed.

      Or a libble comfort verse you memorized as a child.

      No matter how old we get we are still His little children.

      Yes, Jesus loves me,
      The Bible tells me so!