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.
What an absolutely beautiful picture: Your earthly father praying over you and Jesus praying over all of us. Right now, I am not in a trying time, but I have dear friends whose husbands each have serious dementia. They are so very sad and beyond exhausted. I am sending your blog to them. You and your family and staff are in my prayers, Kristin.
Kristen, your words and the bits of your life I see in images have encouraged me to keep stepping into challenging story lines and actively resist the temptation for comfort above all. Thank you for picking up & carrying responsibility & then also reminding me that Jesus empowers & lifts & lightens as we go. Xx
Thank you so much for this, and thank you God, for revealing this truth to Kristen to share with us. Just this morning I was asking God to show up for me. I have to say, in addition to the deer that appeared on my walk (because I am a lover of all nature and God knows that about me) and this word, I believe God heard my prayer. Thank you again. May God show up for you today in the most specific way that you cannot deny that it is Him.
Teri
Thank you for sharing your authentic heart Kristen. You are being used to encourage the discouraged even as you are soaking up the same hope offered to you. These are hard days, especially for those investing in such good, purposeful work for the kingdom as you are. Praying for you this morning and I am picking the time I spend preparing breakfast for my family each day to pray for you and all of Mercy House. We are an hour before you in our time zone and I want to make sure my day starts by covering yours in prayer! Thank you again for this encouragement and sweet picture from your childhood!
Wow – this is so powerful and beautiful. It was exactly what I needed to hear this morning. Thank you! I’m praying for Mercy House daily. God bless you!
2 Corinthians 11:9-10 ❤️
Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortlund- I’m reading it now and finding it to be amazing. It is so good to know you have found life in it as well. I would almost say it is a life-changing look at the heart of the Father. Beautiful words written here. Thank you.
Thank you for this reminder of the intercession of Jesus for us. In the midst of trials, I lose sight of how close Jesus is to me at all times.
I’ve never heard my Dad praying for me in the other room, but I know he has prayed for me everyday since he came to know Jesus. It’s a treasure to now know Jesus has prayed for me everyday too.
great post