Intercession Apathy

I haven’t felt much like interceding lately. Sure, I know lots of people who need prayer: coworkers who could use God’s creativity and perseverance for their tasks, loved ones who need His guidance and strength to face decisions and challenges, and friends who don’t know Christ.



But I’m tired. Work, ministry involvements, and life in general have sapped my spiritual and emotional energy. Just thinking about—let alone praying for—these many needs overwhelms me. But the less I intercede for others, the less I see God answering, which deceives me into believing He probably wouldn’t respond to my requests, even if I made them.



How do I break this vicious cycle of prayer apathy? Almost as soon as I began to contemplate this question, God illuminated some avenues of hope.



He reminded me of His invitations and promises. As I was meditating on Psalm 62 recently, God drew my attention to verse 8: “Pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” Wow! God wants us to present our needs to Him, I marveled. I began to think of other verses in which God extends this invitation.



"Ask and it will be given to you” (Mt. 7:7).



“Ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (Jn. 14:14).



“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God . . . and it will be given to him” (Jas. 1:5).



Remembering that God wants to hear—and answer—my requests has renewed my excitement to ask.



He highlighted answered prayers.  This morning as I read through the prayer requests and praises from my small group, God showed me His responses to our petitions. He enabled one member to resist a specific sin. He provided another member’s passport just in time for her trip. He gave a third member courage to follow His leading concerning her career. Recognizing these specific answers has bolstered my faith and encouraged me to intercede even more.



He prompted me to ask. “You do not have, because you do not ask God,” James says (Jas. 4:2). The Holy Spirit caught me off guard with this verse. Could it really be that simple? I wondered. Do I lack the desire to pray for others because I haven’t asked God for it? In light of this verse, the cure for my reluctance to intercede seemed obvious: just ask. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Although it’s too soon to report any clear results, I’m excited to see what God will do.



Are you, like me, struggling from intercession apathy? Then I invite you to join me in asking, “Father, would you renew my desire to pray for others?”

Kilde: Cynthia Bezek