Intercessory Prayer

The following was part of my devotions this past week, and helps me understand what intercessory prayer is, at its core. 


Offering intercessory prayer means nothing other than Christians bringing one another into the presence of God, seeing each other under the cross of Jesus as poor human beings and sinners in need of grace. Then, everything about other people that repels me falls away. Then I see them in all their need, hardship, and distress. Their need and their sin become so heavy and oppressive to me that I feel as if they were my own, and I can do nothing else but bid: Lord, you yourself, you alone, deal with them according to your firmness and your goodness.


                                                                           - Dietrich Bonhoeffer


Forgiving and transforming God, thank you that under the cross of Christ we all stand equally together under your love and mercy.