I talked with my oldest daughter, Anna, asking her for a thought on what I should share today. We ended up with the topic of empathy. Based on this past week, it seems appropriate to visit the topic. At the same time, I am going to attempt to very briefly draw a connection to intercessory prayer.
I recently shared my thoughts on Galatians 6:2-3 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
I believe there is an importance of sharing our burdens with one another. First and foremost, it is scriptural. Secondly, it allows people to walk with another through their journey. With regards to praying for one another, unless Holy Spirit provides revelation to us about an individual's specific need, it takes a person to share with another in order to provide necessary information to stand together.
What is empathy? It is a person’s ability to recognize and share the emotions of another person, fictional character, or sentient being. It involves, first, seeing someone else’s situation from his perspective. Second, sharing his emotions, including, if any, his distress. It can unlock the door to kindness and compassion.
I had the pleasure to talk with my aunt yesterday and it was wonderful. She shared her heart with me and at times was very emotional because of her compassion for the unsaved and her love for Jesus. I was empathetic and shared in her emotional story. I shared my heart and she was empathetic towards me. I believe the truth of what happened our hearts have compassion for the unsaved, our love for Jesus. We care deeply and know what will happen if they reject Jesus. Earlier in the week, sharing with some brothers, as I shared what is on my heart, my brothers were empathetic to God's amazing work and our desire to see God save the lost, heal the sick, and deliver the oppressed.
To briefly bring intercession into this message. Intercession is selfless prayer. An intercessor is someone who stands in the gap, between God and others. An intercessor dares to go before a mighty God and contend for those around them. An intercessor prays for others selflessly, lifting the needs of others into the throne room of heaven. I believe an intercessor has compassion and empathy for others. As the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, we intercede on behalf of another. This is clearly demonstrated throughout scripture.
1 Samuel 7:5, Then Samuel said, "Assemble all Israel at Mizpah, and I will intercede with the Lord for you".
John 17:9 Jesus says, I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
There is more that can be said on empathy and intercession. May the thoughts shared be enough to ponder and take to prayer. Lord, help me to have empathy for others. Help me to know your love for the people around me.
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