10 July

The word ‘intercession’ generally means praying for someone else (although, it can also be used of praying for oneself). We are all called to intercession: ‘I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessionand thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority’ (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Jesus is the great intercessor. He ‘made intercessionfor the transgressors’ (Isaiah 53:12). He ‘is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us’ (Romans 8:34; see also Hebrews 7:25). The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us and through us: ‘The Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express… the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will’ (Romans 8:26–27).

We do not pray for the sick because they all get healed. We pray for them because Jesus told us to do so. Over these years we have sometimes seen extraordinary healings. Do not be discouraged. Keep on praying with faith and boldness, love and sensitivity.

This is such a simple model for us to follow. First, when Paul heard that Publius’ father was sick, he acted in faith. He believed God was able to heal him so, ‘[He] went in to see him’ (v.8).

Second, he acted with boldness. Publius’ father was presumably not a Christian. Yet Paul was courageous enough to offer to pray for him, and to do so publically, laying hands on him. It might have been tempting to think, ‘What if he’s not healed?’ ‘Will I look a failure?’ ‘Will it bring the gospel into disrepute?’ But Paul took a risk. He acted in faith.

Sometimes in your own life you may be faced with seemingly overwhelming problems. This is a great model of how to deal with them. Hezekiah did not despair. He did not panic. He did not give up. He turned to God in prayer.