There are a lot of things I pray about. And a lot more than I never pray about. In fact, there are plenty of things that are major concerns for me that I never petition God about.
It’s stupid, right?
I’m anxious about something. It’s a big deal. There’s someone who is concerned. Someone who can do something about it. But I don’t talk with that person, even though he’s always willing to listen.
But there’s a reality that’s far bigger than my prayerlessness and yours. It’s this: Jesus is praying for us right now. Yep. This very moment. As you’re reading this.
This is what the Scriptures say: “he always lives to make intercession” for us (Heb. 7:25).
Always.
That means right now.
Jesus is praying right now.
That means any praying we do doesn’t start a thing. Jesus is already at it. What we do is join him in his praying. We join our concerns with his.
That takes the pressure off, doesn’t it?
We don’t need to “storm the gates of heaven” or get God’s attention, as if he were sleeping on the job. It’s not like God is waiting, tapping his fingers, huffing with impatience for us to get busy with our praying so he can do something. No. It’s not up to us to move God. He’s already moving, already engaged. Jesus is praying.
Because of this, our prayers can rise out of love not anxiety. We can speak to God about the people we love, the events in our community and the world around us that move our hearts, that break our hearts.
God is on the job. Jesus is praying.
Jesus in his praying is invitational. It’s as if he pats the seat beside him and says, “I’m praying about that, too. Come and join me and let’s pray together.”