Prayer is such a simple act of faith, and that’s probably why children are so good at it. And that might also be why we don’t always think of the ministry of prayer and the ministry of justice as being related. Prayer is too often viewed as a necessary, but passive, thing that we as Christians do. However, the more I engage in the ministry of prayer and the ministry of justice, the more I see that they are indeed related!
When we refer to people who pray for others, we often use the word “intercessor,” which basically means someone who stands in the gap on behalf of another. Isaiah 59:16 says, “The LORD looked and was displeased to find there was no justice. He was amazed to see that no one [intercessor] intervened to help the oppressed. So he himself stepped in to save them with his strong arm, and his justice sustained him.”
God did the interceding for himself, but he really wanted human intercessors. God values the human touch. He has called us to be his hands and feet to bring about justice and righteousness in the world. And one of the ways we do that is through the ministry of intercession.
The Holy Spirit, the Great Intercessor, empowers us to help others through prayer in their time of need. As intercessors we stand in the gap for those who are spiritually, emotionally or physically oppressed. We plead for their rights — the rights given to them as human beings made in God’s image. We feel their pain and empathize with their weaknesses. When we intercede for someone, we are actually speaking to God on their behalf — giving voice to their need. Intercession is a ministry of justice — because it brings people into a right relationship with God, with others and even with themselves.
So one way you can engage in the ministry of justice is by committing to being an intercessor. Pray compassionately for others. Go ahead — do justice to your prayers.
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An excerpt from "A Letter From Marion Skeete, Pastor of Prayer Ministries" in the Fall issue of "Seasons," Lake Avenue's Quarterly Newsletter.
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