When I was a child, I woke up in the middle of the night because I heard something in the next room. It scared me at first, the muffled words. My childhood wasn’t perfect, but my parents did their best.
I got out of bed and snuck around the corner and saw my dad in his old blue robe kneeling at his favorite chair. His Bible was open: I stopped short because I heard my name.
I have carried this memory with me—of my father— praying over me in the next room.
These are heavy days and I have struggled this year. Mercy House Global has struggled too.
Can I say that?
On the way to work one day, I listened to a book about the nature of Jesus.
I had to literally pull over to write these words down: Jesus is praying for me (you) right now.
I was listening to the book Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund and the words —the very thought— brought tears to my eyes.
And so I keep saying them—day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute… Jesus is here and He’s praying for me. He’s in the next room praying out loud over me right now. Over you.
Listen.
The last five months have been some of the hardest. In my sorrow and stress, I wish I would have stopped and listened to Jesus more in the next room, saying my name.
He is our intercessor. I know that to intercede for someone means to intervene. There have been many times in my life where I have interceded for someone else, through prayer, by showing up. And people have done the same for me.
What does it really mean for Jesus to be our intercessor? I’ve never truly understood until now: He intervenes on our behalf constantly.
Christ is praying for us even when we are negligent in our prayer life
He lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:25)
Lean in. Can you hear your name on his lips?
The doctrine of intercession assures us of what he is doing in the present; right now, at this moment.
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30
This favorite passage offers an invitation —it’s open to everyone—but it’s specifically for the weary.
The difficulty is still here. I’m still struggling. The circumstances haven’t really changed…. But remembering I’m not alone, listening for the prayers—my name— in the next room… it’s enough.
