As a priest one of the ministry that I get involved is the ministry of intercession. I believe that intercession is a ministry to bring people to the Lord. The ministry of intercession is when we allow the Holy Spirit to make intercession through us, guiding us as to what to pray for. Intercession is praying to the Father 'thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven'. Intercession is the ministry of reconciliation, the reconciliation of man to God. (2 Corinthians 5:14-20) It is something anyone can do and we are commanded to do it, but it also comes with an awesome blessing from the Lord and the privilege of experiencing God's presence and His compassion. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. There are many examples in the Bible of intercession. Moses interceded for the children of Israel more than once when the Lord would have destroyed them because of their sin and rebellion. Aaron as high priest interceded for the people. (Numbers 16:46-48) So Moses said to Aaron, "Take a censer and put fire in it from the altar, put incense on it, and take it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from the LORD. The plague has begun." Then Aaron took it as Moses commanded, and ran into the midst of the assembly; and already the plague had begun among the people. So he put in the incense and made atonement for the people. And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped. The prophet Samuel interceded for the people. (1 Samuel 12:23 ) "Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way. King Hezekiah interceded for the people. (2 Chronicles 30:18-20) For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good LORD provide atonement for everyone {19} who prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary." {20} And the LORD listened to Hezekiah and healed the people. Job interceded for His children. (Job 1:1-5) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. {2} And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. {3} Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East. {4} And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. {5} So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly. Job interceded for his friends. (Job 42:7-10) And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. {8} "Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has." {9} So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job. {10} And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. It is interesting that after Job interceded for his friends that this is when God restored Job and blessed him with more than before. Intercession is giving, and it always comes with blessings. The greatest blessing of intercession is the presence of God flowing through you in the form of compassion. Intercession and prayer is a gift anyone can give and it is probably the best gift that you can give for someone. Peter is Freed from Prison through the Intercession of the Church: King Herod threw Peter in prison for preaching the gospel. He had just killed James, the brother of John with a sword. Persecution of the church was beginning. However, the early church was a praying church. In fact, they literally freed Peter from prison because of their prayer and intercession. The Bible says there had been constant prayer for Peter.
I stay in a seminary, Mission Hopme Manja, a home of prayer and If you wish to share your prayer intentions with me and want me and our seminarians to pray for you please feel free to do so. Please note the following; We have daily mass everyday – we can pray for your intentions Chaplet of Divine Mercy everyday – we can pray for you too Rosary every day – we can pray for your intentions Jesus Youth Prayer Group Meeting – Every Sunday at 10 am Novena to Infant Jesus – Every Friday at 6.30 am Novena to Our Lady of Perpetual Help – every Saturday at 6.30 am
Contributions are not compulsory however if you wish to contribute for our ministry, for our seminarians, for our children you may send the money by draft or cheque to the following address. AC/Name: Fr.Tom Mangattuthazhe Ac.No.11880100111212 Bank Name. Federal Bank, Dimapur, Nagaland.
-- Tom Mangattuthazhe Correspondence Bishop'sHouse Diphu - 782460 Ph.03671- 275003 Mobile.09435066461 Skype.tmangatt |
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