Weekly Devotional

Prayer and the Priesthood of all Believers 

On Thursday evening I had the privilege of visiting with Marv Dawson at Southdale Hospital. Marv, who is Rachel Rueckert's father, has been suffering through some neurological issues and was undergoing a series of tests to determine, once for all, what is wrong. While I was there, a couple from Marv's church came to visit him as well and in the course of our conversation someone said that the elders of their church should come, lay hands on Marv and pray for him. 

I affirmed this suggestion because the Bible says in James 5:13-15, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." I told them that obeying this command is a matter of faith. We, out of love and trust for our Father, do what he says to do and then leave the results to Him. He may chose to heal in a miraculous way, He may not, but our part is to trust and obey.

We agreed about this, conversed a little longer, and then I asked Marv if I could pray for him. He said yes, of course, and as I stood to pray I was moved to ask the others to join me in laying hands on our brother in Christ. I told them that, though we were not all pastors and though I am not Marv's pastor, we are priests before God and we all have the authority to approach the throne of God through Jesus Christ and intercede for others. As Peter said in 1 Peter 2:9, "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 

I began my prayer by saying, "Lord, Jesus, we come before you, not on the basis of our position in the church but on the basis of our position in Christ. You have called some to be elders and have granted them a measure of authority in the church, but you've called all believers to be holy priests before you and you've granted them the authority to pray and be heard as they pray in your great Name." Then I finished my prayer, said my goodbyes, and headed home.

As I was driving up 494, I felt moved to write to you, precious flock of God, and remind you that you are priests of the Most High who stand before Him in Jesus Christ with all the rights and responsibilities implied in the office. So, Beloved, I want to encourage you--no, urge you--to pray for another through the blood of Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the authority of the Word. Be humble but be bold. Be careful but don't be timid. Be respectful but don't be apprehensive. Rise up and be priests of the Most High to one another. Rise up for His glory and your joy, and the good of your brothers and sisters in Christ. Rise up and pray for the Lord your God will hear and answer. 

With joy-filled awe,

Pastor Charlie