I am learning the meaning of intercession. Intercession is praying from a place of “we” and not “them.” I think it is literally putting your place in the person’s shoes and praying from a place of feeling what they feel. I don’t think casual prayers connect us to the heart of the Father and allow us to pray from a place of identifying with the pain.
Since I’ve been in
Africa
I have prayed to be able to intercede for the children here. Today, God allowed my heart to break to the point where I could stand in the gap and pray as if I was one of the children. Goo Goo is the teacher of a squatter camp in the slums of
Africa
. She originally found the children having sex underneath blue tarps tied up with string; these are 5-10 year olds. She said she told them if they would stop she would teach them, she has been there 3 years and not only have they stopped but they are learning about the love of Jesus.
One of the girls mentioned that her father is beating her and raping her, but then proceeded to play ball. It has become just a way of life, there is no shame or dealing with the pain. Then, one of the girls said “don’t take a picture of me” b/c the demons are telling me you will pray for me. Both her parents have died of AIDS and now she lives with a witch doctor. These are typical heart-breaking stories that we hear daily in the lives of the children of
Africa
.
When I first arrived I would typically pray “Lord bless them, heal them, protect them”, but when I was praying for “them” I lost the right to intercede. God is calling us to pray from a place of identifying with others pain, a place where the Father’s heart is revealed. I once heard someone say that we use prayer like a “spiritual epidural” where we don’t want to feel the pain of others. Today I was able to pray from a position of brokenness and hopelessness as a child here. I felt the hurt, the pain, the desperation, but I also felt the love of the Father for them. Lord, teach me to pray for those you have called me to live among.
Rissa I lov eyou thank you for sharing those thought. they really spoke to my heart-Jonnie
great stuff here, Marissa – thank you.
Marissa,
You have his heart to help those who have so much pain.’
You have his love to give thwm real hope.
You pick them up and give them love.
He is using you as his light for this world.
I will continue to pray with you as you described.
I love you forever and ever
DAD
Marissa!!
I thought of you today. Well, I think of you more than just today, but today especially.The word JOY was on my bag of potato chips at lunch, and i’m not even kidding!! Not only that, but I was looking at my change, and I never noticed it before, but on new (but not so new really, I just never noticed before) nickel it says “Ocean in view! O! the JOY!” I will take a picture of them so you can see! I love you1!!
Hello Marissa!
I love your shirt! Can I get one of those in an XL? Thank you so much for your words. You’ve caused me to stop and reflect and realize that I also pray for “them” instead of us and we. Your stories about the little girls has really affected Kim and I. I continue to pray for your protection, and for the the protection of the whole team, but that your life changes would continue. We’re jealous of the lessons that God is teaching all of you. I miss seeing you guys worshipping in reckless abandon here at church, but I also know that you’re still doing that…it’s just on the African plains.
You are loved!
Scott
hello!! i hope you are doing great!! miss you..
I am loving hearing how God is at work in Africa. How beautiful to see your willingness to join Him (and THEM) in it. He is so proud of you. We are too! Love you so much.- Gag
Marissa,
You have no idea how perfect what you wrote realated to my life right now. Thank you! You are so encouraging.
Dear Marissa,
What you speak of here is the Heart of God. There are no Them at all. We are the One masquerading as the many. Keep following your Heart and God Bless you. Love, JoAnn