Words for Weary Prayer Warriors

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What are we to do when we have carried on in unrelenting intercession for a very long time, but we don’t yet see the fruit of our labors — when things just seem to go from bad to worse?

Yes, we know we are to be “steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” And we know He has promised, “Your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). But it gets discouraging sometimes, doesn’t it?

One way to stay fresh and strong so we can continue on to full victory in our prayer battles is to take extended time to build (or rebuild) our love relationship with Jesus. Intense intercessors are prone to getting so caught up in the work of intercession that they risk growing distant from the Lord Himself. It’s easy to lose touch with Him if we expend all our prayer efforts on getting answers. We need rest times with Him, too.

But Lee Ann, doesn’t Ephesians 6:17 tell us, “Having done all to stand?” Yep! But every wise military commander knows that if he pushes his soldiers too long and too hard, they are going to fall over in a heap right where they’re standing!

In our day, incessant work is admired and encouraged, and this has carried over into our church fellowships. However, take a look at what Jesus said to the apostles after they returned from their first preaching assignment: “… Come apart into a desert place and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31).

You are no doubt very familiar with Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” We know the passage in our heads, but how many of us regularly live it out?

We tend to subconsciously think that if we don’t keep at the intercession constantly, or strenuously enough,  the answers won’t come. Whether we realize it or not, this is depending on ourselves rather than the Lord. We think the whole world will come crashing down if we don’t keep interceding. Meanwhile, Colossians 1:17 tells us, “… By [Christ] all things hold together” in the universe. We forget Who is capably in charge. We also forget that He has tens of thousands of intercessors across the globe at His disposal. It is not all up to you or me. When we think it is, we’ve stepped over into a strange performance mentality. We may have also forgotten what Jesus said about pagan people’s prayers: “For they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7).

So (GASP!), I’m telling you now, it’s OK to take a break from all the intercession to just be with Jesus. Place your focus on getting to know Him better. He won’t be mad, and He’s got plenty of other prayer warriors He can assign to the task for a while.

What does taking time off to just be with Jesus look like?

• Get quiet before the Lord and ask Him to let you experience the secret place of His presence.This doesn’t mean you have to get caught up into a heavenly experience. Just keep it simple: “Lord, I want to be with You, to rest in You, to know You better.” (See Psalm 91:1.)
• Ask Him questions about Himself and what’s important to Him. Wait for Him to speak. He might even remind you of a Bible verse which answers your question. He might not say anything right then, and that’s OK. Maybe He will respond when you least expect it.
• Sing songs of worship and praise. Something slow, with simple words and not too busy-sounding, works well.
• Give Him thanks for all the big and small things He has done for you, even in the last day or so. There is something powerful and rejuvenating in what the old hymn says, “Count your blessings. / Name them one by one. / Count your many blessings / See what God has done.”
• Meditate on a couple of the Lord’s names in the Bible. Most of them reveal something about His nature. If you need a place to start, I have a web page for you — The Names of God. There’s also a corresponding book with the Bible references if you want it.  
• Listen to an audio version of the Bible, especially the Psalms. Getting the Word of God in through our ears is life-giving.

Here are a few more Bible verses which encourage us to simply spend time in the Lord’s presence:

Song of Solomon 2:10 — My beloved spoke and said to me, “Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.”

Isaiah 30:15 — For thus says the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest shall you be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength….”

Job 37:14 — … Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God. 

So, don’t feel guilty about taking a break from intense intercession to just be with the Lord. You can still lift quick requests here and there throughout the day if you feel the need. Just take a break from straining into the load.

Always remember: you are not just a prayer machine who is constantly expected to spit out intercession in God’s factory. It’s not up to you to keep the answers production line humming along at top speed. You are a child who must take time to fellowship with your Father. And, if you do, you will bear even more fruit because of it.
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The Names of God

The Intercessor Manual