06 - Intercession

INTERCESSION THE scheme for the Office of Worship, which is given in the Appendix, does not, it will be observed, include the important feature of inter cession. The pastor’s devotional system must include a most careful and sufficient arrangement of this form of duty, or his position as a pastor must necessarily be utterly ineffectual. The various objects which call for the exercise of spiritual energy in this respect will have to be carefully arranged and apportioned to their different departments, and the frequency with which each object takes its place in his act of inter cession will have to be carefully adapted to its necessities and claims.

One fundamental requisite underlying the whole subject of prayer is that of a clear assurance of objective answer to it. The view of a mere subjective effect on the mir^ * *oul of the worshipper is utterly subversive of v an v / in the worship. When we find a man occupying a, position which may be called that of an outside thinker the position of up-to-date scientific thought, as ib the case with Sir Oliver Lodge never finding ny difficult in the idea of an objective answer to prayer, surely the Christian priest must be regarded as woefully falling short of the demands of his position should he allow himself to entertain any doubt on the subject. I only refer to this point because it is unquestionable that such doubts have existed and have found expression even on the part of those who consider themselves Christians. There must be the clear persuasion that all real prayer must have its objective answer, although it may not be in the actual form in which the prayer is expressed, or which the worshipper contemplates. Without this persuasion it will be impossible to exercise the force and fervour in the act of prayer which alone can make it an actual power for bringing about definite results. The priest’s intercession must be carefully planned so as to include all such objects as have a right to claim his assistance in this respect; the Church at large, the nation (and the various leading cases of need in each, with more special reference to cases which call for special note for the time being); missions and missionaries should, of course, have a special place in their due order; and so with many other objects which may be included in the term classes. But, of course, a just proportion of the work of intercession is that which is included within the priest’s own special sphere of labour: "the flock, in which the Holy Ghost has placed him as overseer, to tend the Church of God which He acquired by His own blood." * Each department of his work of parish organisation must have its proper share in his prayers regularly, and with such proper frequency as each case may seem to call for. As regards the intercession for individuals, the exercise of much judgment and discretion will be required in the observance of this department of the work. In the first place, it is manifestly impossible that the number of objects included in this form of

1 Acts 20:28. supplication should be unlimited. A certain measure of selection will, therefore, have to be exercised in the choice of those whose names will be included in the list of persons for whom special prayer is to be offered.

Those whose claims may seem to be the most imperative are, perhaps, those who themselves would least desire or appreciate the benefits. The erring, the fallen, the negligent, wanderers from the fold, those under pres sure of present special need, the sick, the sorrowful, the bereaved, and so forth, will also have their special claims.

One important point I would commend strongly to the consideration of my brethren, namely, that the case of each individual should be distinctly isolated; that all that is desired on behalf of any person should be asked on his behalf as a separate act; that is, that one should not pray for individuals in groups, the same petition including a list of names, simply because the needs of all are practically the same. To make prayer a real act of force for the benefit of any individual it would seem that the whole prayer should be offered for him separately, even though it be necessary to re peat the same petition word for word for each of a large number of individuals. I have, in my own case, found this necessary to impart any consciousness of efficiency to prayer considered as an act of power.

Distinction has to be made in the matter of prayer between classes and individuals. Classes are, of course, to be dealt with as such, and each to be dealt with as a unit. If the case of any member of a class calls for separate consideration it will naturally be considered separately.

Objection will probably be raised to the length of time which would be necessitated by the observance of this rule. This difficulty may in great measure be met by the consideration, already referred to, 1 of the acceleration of mental capacity which is the result of cultivation of the habit of mental concentration. The priest will, no doubt, provide himself with a formula including the general range of need applicable to all persons alike, and will simply, by an act of mental apprehension, isolate each case as it comes, and apply to it with energy and vigour the various items of supplication; his knowledge of the individual imparting the element of freshness and variety to each application of the one form of words. In the department of intercession the pastor should seek for assistance and co-operation from those members of his flock who are capable of rendering such assistance; and this would plainly be specially the case with those who are themselves laid aside from active life by sickness or infirmity, and who possess the qualifications of spirituality and devoutness.

These lay helpers must be given to understand that a real and definite result is expected by way of answer to their prayers. It may be well to provide them with a definite formula expressing fully the nature of the needs for which their prayers are invited; though in some cases the priest may feel it sufficient to leave to the helpers themselves the work of putting their petitions into shape. Those whose aid is thus invited are themselves benefited to an incalculable degree, in addition to the value of their services in rendering aid to others. Thus they may be rendered conscious of the significance of those memorable words at the close of Milton’s sonnet, " They also serve, who only stand and wait."

1 Page 15. In giving directions to those whom you wish to employ in this manner it will be necessary to enlist their interest in order that they may enter heart and soul into the work which they are undertaking. For this purpose it will be desirable to give them such particulars with reference to the case which you are entrusting to their care as may enable them to picture to them selves the object which they are to have in view with sufficient distinctness. It may not be necessary to give them the names of the persons for whom their prayers are asked, but it will be necessary to give them such a sufficient description of the circumstances with reference to which their prayers are needed as will enable them to make their prayers a living reality.

Vagueness, dimness, and uncertainty in the object to which attention is directed must necessarily render it practically impossible to regard it with any living interest.