Intercessor

I remember when I graduated High School, I truly knew nothing. Although then I was so ready to leave school and do my own thing, I had no idea what I was doing. Mistakes were made, some where pretty big! I won’t change a thing though. I have wondered what would my life be like if I hadn’t dated that biggest mistake or if I had chosen a different college to attend. However, I learned the most during my twenties about life and love all because of the experiences I had, the good ones and the bad ones. During my young adult years I gain a passion for certain things, matured in my understanding and relationship with God, and realized my calling. These years that are coming up for our graduates, are so important to who they are as a person. Church, we need to pray for our young people. Young people, you need to pray. Yet know that the Holy Spirit is with you, to guide you and to help you, in everything you will do and experience in the coming years.

Pray and Read Romans 8:26-39

Romans 8:26–39 NRSV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. 31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We don’t know how to pray perfectly, no one does. Every time I pray, I first ask the Holy Spirit to help me pray. I still don’t fully understand the mystery of pray, but I know it works.

What I do know is that God knows our needs before we ask. So why do we pray? Because it is a conversation with the Creator of all things who loves us more and knows us better than anyone.

We, who follow Jesus, are given what is called The Intercessor, the Holy Spirit who connects us with our Heavenly Father in divine places.

Verse 28 many times is pulled out of context and therefore has been interpreted in some crazy ways. Basically, it truly means that God’s will always works out. I does not mean that everything will be easy and wonderful all the time. However, if we prayerfully seek God’s will in the actions we take and in the things we say, it will work out and be okay.

We, as Christians, are to conform to the image of Christ. We are to be like Jesus. What we know of Jesus we learn through prayer, study with other Christians, and importantly, reading the Gospels. This makes us apart of a large family. All of us Christians are a part of the family of God. Your church is another family for you.

The Church should intercede for one another. That means we pray for one another, asking for God’s help and guidance on your behalf.

Jesus calls us to do mighty things that we were made to do. God has a plan for our life before we were ever born. And if He calls us to it, He will be faithful to help us achieve it! Through Him, we are forgiven and grow stronger into the best versions of ourselves.

No one can change us, control us, or make us be against God unless we make the choices to let them. Sometimes, even our families have the best intentions and dream for us to have a certain career, or wealth, or to never make a mistake. But those choices are yours. I pray you will follow God’s will for your life above all.

Just remember, again, you will make mistakes. Times will get hard, bad things will happen in this world and around you.

Yet, nothing can separate you from God. Nothing you do or others do to you will separate you from the love of God.

Through Christ, we are conquerors of this world. In the end we will see limitless love and eternal life.

So graduates, frankly all of us, we need to remember these truths:

God created you for a purpose, and His plan is amazing.

You will make mistakes, but that will help you learn some important lessons about yourself and this world.

Be like Jesus, graceful, loving, wise, and strong in the Truth.

Pray for others, and pray yourself. God does listen, Jesus is always with you, and the Holy Spirit is the bridge to all that you need from God.

Your family, friends, and this church will be praying, interceding on your behalf. We will always be here for you.