by Lito Roldan
Intercession, says the bible, is a role expected of every Christian.1Samuel 12:23 states this clearly: “As for me, far it be from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you.” God seeking faithful intercessors is expressed in Ezekiel 22:30, “I looked for a man among them who would build the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it but I found none.”
A study bible defines intercession as “praying with real hope and real intent that God would step in and act for the positive advancement of some specific other persons.” The task to step in with God on behalf of the GSCC pastors and leaders has become the burden and responsibility of the Happy Hearts Ministry then headed by the late ate Pura Nazaire who provided the spark. Now under the leadership of tita Baby Sulit, this ministry for intercessory prayers will keep the fire lit .
In the New Testament the ministry of intercessory prayers is founded on our calling to the holy priesthood of God. “-You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”(1Peter 2:5) Jesus is our model for intercessory prayer for His mission for being born among men was to intercede for us to the Father. In Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus himself promised to listen to our prayers: “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven
For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.”
Clothed by this biblical mandate, Happy Hearts will continue to intercede for the GSCC pastors and other members of the Board of Elders on a regular basis. To minimize travel among the intercessors. Pastor Virgil Fernando has set up a conference call for them to pray together at 9 p.m. every Thursday to lift up to the Lord the church leaders’ specific needs in an atmosphere of trust and confidentiality. They meet in the church every first Sunday of the month after the service for needs assessment, fellowship, planning and spiritual preparation .
The pastor admitted that the BOE, being in the frontline of continuing Christ’s mission on earth, are under siege by the enemy attacking them when they are most vulnerable. The enemy, he says, is relentless; thus, if the leaders fall, the church will collapse.
The scenario is not unlike Jesus who, before the beginning of His ministry fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights, was tempted by the devil to vow to the ways of the world and give in to pride. But Jesus sharply rebuked Satan who fled in haste. (Matthew 4:1-11) .
The Happy Hearts Ministry through intercessory prayers will keep the pastors in the race confident that through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father will grant their wish to finish the race putting up a good fight and keeping the faith. (2Timothy 4:7) Yet only a good heart, a prayerful life, trust in God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit will give them the confidence to be able to step in with God on behalf of the leaders of the church.
Peter’s escape from prison is one of the many accounts in the Bible that attest to the power of intercessory prayer. “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers bound with two chains and sentries stood guard at the entrance, Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. ‘Quick, get up!’ he said and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.” (Acts 12: 5-7) Our church will pray unceasingly and earnestly for its pastors and leaders. Like Peter, the chains of deception will fall off their wrists. .
