Calling 911 . . . God! Someone needs help!

John 15:18-20 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words that I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.” (NIV)

Jesus understood what it was like to be rejected by the world. He knew what His disciples would face. That is why he prayed so earnestly for them. He interceded for them so that they would find strength to continue. Jesus, felt their pain. He feels our pain. He not only felt it but he DID something about it. He not only went away to send the comforter – the Holy Spirit to us, but while he was here on earth, he prayed for and interceded for us. He put himself in our place . . .

Can we say we do that? Or are we so caught up in our own drama we forget to pray for others? Honestly, do we even realize others have needs? Maybe we say an occasional prayer for someone who is sick or hurting but how many times do we stop in our tracks and really intercede or “standing in the gap” for them before our Father God.

Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Yes, the Word tells us to “put ourselves in their place”. Most of us are so self-absorbed we do not even think about what others go through much less place ourselves mentally or emotionally in their position. Still, the Bible says we should do exactly that. If we did, we would quickly realize our perspective has changed; therefore, our prayer intensity would change as well.

Naturally, we always cry out to God louder when we are the one in trouble but God wants us to cry out to Him for others equally as loud. Why? Because sometimes they are unable to do so for themselves. I know many times in my life I have been carried through by the prayer of intercessors (those standing in the gap spiritually on my behalf and for my situation) because I did not have strength or even the desire to do so for myself.

Think about it. . . Who calls 911 when someone is injured? The injured? Or someone else? Usually, it’s someone standing nearby that realizes help is needed. The one who is injured is often incapable of helping themselves . . . or calling out to someone who can.  

Walk in the Word of Hebrews 13:3 and treat others as if what is happening to them is happening to you or someone you love. Put yourself in their place. Get out of yourself for a moment and intercede – stand in the gap – call 911 to God for another . . . you never know when you may need someone to call out on your behalf.