Thoughts for Life: #21 Women as Intercessors

C. Peter Wagner shares with us from his book, PRAYER SHIELD, "It was interesting to discover that all of those with the gift of intercession in my class were women.

This is not unusual.

I have not as yet done enough research to come up with a firm figure, but my observations over the years lead me to guess that 80 percent of those with the gift of intercession are women, across theological and cultural spectrums.

I have found that certain spiritual gifts seem to be biased by gender.

Women tend to show a higher occurrence of the gift of pastor (this does not necessarily relate to ordained ministry, but to pastoral caregiving) and gift of evangelist.

Men tend to show a higher occurrence of the gift of leadership (as in serving as senior pastor of a congregation) and the gift of teacher.

The two genders might be more similar in the occurrence of other gifts such as the gift of exhortation or the gift of service, just to offer some concrete examples.

But why would more women be intercessors?

Psychological profiles in general have shown women to be more intuitional and men to be more rational.

Some intercessors themselves have suggested that a woman's biological function of conception, gestation and the travail of giving birth might have something to do with it.

A major ministry of intercessors is to bring into being the purposes of God, and many describe some of their more intense periods of intercession as travail.

Mothers know even better than could the apostle Paul the full meaning of his statement, "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you" Gal. 4:19.

Later on I will sketch a profile of personal intercessors, but meanwhile I think the lyrics of a song entitled "Prayer Warrior" by the outstanding Gospel group, Heirloom, describe them as well as any:

'You may see her in the grocery with her children

Or in the city nine to five each working day

She's a mother or a teacher or a woman all alone

But she's something else entirely when she prays.

We don't see her lonely nights of intercession

Or the tears she sheds with every whispered prayer

We may not see the secret things hidden in her heart

But the eyes of God are watching her with care.

She's a prayer warrior down on her knees

Wrestling with powers and principalities

Standing in the gap for others

For her sisters and her brothers

Reaching heaven with her heart.' "

Today’s post -#21 Women as Intercessors, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 50,51) By Regal Books

The next post on 9/26 from Wagner’s book, is #22 The Office of Intercessor

I'm grateful to be back, preparing Faith Messages for my readers. May they bless all who read them. My hip replacement went well, and I'm walking with a cane more and more now. God is good!

Let’s pray: Father, it may be true that women are more open and sensitive to spiritual matters, but we know that men are involved, too. We all need Your Holy Spirit to guide us as we pray, as You know what is Your will to be accomplished among us. Help us all become more sensitive to pray more effectively and fervently. In the Precious Name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Jer. 7:23 (KJV) "Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."

Today’s quote: Our Daily Bread 3/23/13

“My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. –Mote

Hope that has its foundation in God

will not crumble under the pressures of life.”

Some thoughts today: We have the tendency to provide for ourselves, but we need to learn to depend on God.

- Are we going to trust that Jesus is enough? He is our Sabbath rest! God will supply all our needs. Eph. 4:19 God has the answer for you!

- As memorials are important, keep in mind what God HAS done. See His goodness!

Thursday's post: #21 The Office of Intercessor C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: God's Plan for Our Sin "The Cross did not happen to Jesus: He came on purpose for it."

God's eye is on you, too!

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