Bodily Intercession (Consideration #3: It All Points to Jesus)
Good day, Royal Ones!
REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN FOR THE ANNUAL FALL CLASS. Thank you for signing up! THERE ARE ONLY 30 SEATS AVAILABLE IN EACH SESSION — Saturdays, October 17th and 24th! ONLY PAID REGISTRATIONS SECURE YOUR SPOT.
Use this PayPal link to register.
This week I want to offer the third consideration in bodily intercession. That is, to know (or remind us) that all our efforts point to a revelation of Jesus. If not, then it is not bodily intercession.
When we know our pains (see consideration #1), then we understand better the natural messages our bodies send us. We become more personally accountable to obey the word through care of our bodies. Some pains we resolve when we improve our personal habits of sleep, diet and exercise. In this way we also learn our predispositions, or the existing health conditions in our families — what we are prone to via the generational line.
When we know our weaknesses, then we better perceive when our vulnerabilities turn on us and create pain or painful perspectives. Acute awareness of weakness shows us our negative potential, just like attention to strength unlocks positive potential. We acquaint ourselves with our weaknesses to anchor in humility and reliance on the finished and perfect work of Jesus in us. We pay attention more and judge less in the flesh.
This is why we mention a third consideration — that bodily intercession points to a revelation of Jesus Christ. The pains are not random, and neither is the prayer focus. Likewise, the lessons are not a coincidence. Our God is the master strategist. If we pay attention and get over ourselves, He constantly provides teachable moments.
My aim is to know him, to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already attained this – that is, I have not already been perfected – but I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead I am single-minded: Forgetting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead, with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained. ~ Philippians 3:10-16 New English Translation
This is the point of bodily intercession. It is an invitation to know Him, Jesus Christ, through a proper identification of suffering. It is not really about our
- headaches
- blurred or obstructed vision
- stomach issues
- balance or issues in the feet
- joint pain and swelling
- bone issues
- limits with range of motion, etc.
The point is that when we can eliminate our pain and our weakness, and discern the pain as an invitation to prayer, then we seek God above the pain for the revelation of His presence. In this part of the Body of Christ, praying people are just going after God like the rest of the saints. The difference is the way He takes us.
But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. ~ Job 23:10 NASB
Scripture provides a powerful life principle in Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25. It says that we have our way we think is right, but the end are the ways of death. In other words, God has a planned path for each of us. For those given to prayer, it includes at some point bodily intercession. That is, the chance for our bodies to take part in the prayer experience and share in His sufferings.
There is no glory in bodily intercession, only the rich understanding of how Holy Spirit wants to target our prayers for others. And, ultimately introduce us to the Lordship of Christ (headaches), the government of God (shoulders), the danger of a people planted in rebellion (neck), the grief of God (heart, eyes), the limits of disease (pain, range of motion, sprains etc.), and more. These are general connections; we will explore in detail in our October sessions.
Please, prayerfully consider sending your registration for this class and put in the note section which session you will attend — October 17th or 24th. If you know people (maybe youth or young adults) experiencing confirmation that their pains were a call to prayer, yet they are running in fear from the pain and the call….DEFINITELY SHARE THESE POSTS AND INVITE THEM TO REGISTER. I know the information will help them, but more than that, they will be loved and welcomed into an identifying prayer community.
Blogs I Follow
The Bereans' Commentary with Shaunta D. Scroggins, Ed.D. 