by Cathy Vinson

Why were we not able? Such a sad position for a servant of Jesus to be. The needing hand has come and is outstretched...but there in that place comes the gnawing realization of lack of spiritual resources to offer what we know is somewhere accessible. The resources are available; it is we who have weakened the intended link. (adunamis (dynamo) = (a) negation + ability, power, resources)

The late Andrew Murray wrote "the sense of impotence is the soul of intercession." As one who would seek to minister for the Lord, what is more
dreadful than to lack in that hour when one has come humbly to you? What will drive a servant of Christ to their knees more than the awakening of
one's inner vacuum when the fact of need is worn upon the beloved...when realizing "my friend has come to me in his journey, and I have NOTHING to set before him" (Luke 11:5-8). In such an analogy regarding prayer, Jesus is teaching us. Such a lack will arouse a friend to go in the midnight hour into the bounty of a greater Friend.

The grueling mixture of our love for people plus our impotency must drive us to intercede. Intercession is the recourse left to us that will bring down to others those long-for heavenly resources.

"Christ meant prayer to be the great power by which His Church should do its work, and that the neglect of prayer is the great reason the Church
lacks greater power over the masses..."*

If the verse of the old hymn finds accord within our hearts, we too will sing "I would be true for there are those who care..." How can we honestly
be true to "those who care" if we have no resources?

"I desire to persuade them all to join the host of intercessors who are to bring down the blessings of heaven to earth. For their sakes, and for
others who need help..."*

*written Sept 1, 1897 by Andrew Murray in THE MINISTRY OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER

(Mt 17:21; Mk 9:29)