The Rebar Intercessors

“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you….” Colossians 1:9a

The Role of Rebar Intercessors

Several years ago, a lady approached me at my grandmother’s funeral to verify my identity and association with the grieving family. I told her, “Yes, I am she.” The lady smiled broadly and said, “We’ve been praying for you for years!”

She went on to explain that she is in my Aunt Donna’s weekly prayer group, “The Rebar Intercessors.” Flashbacks quickly began to filter through my mind of fast cars, questionable behavior and living outside of God’s will as a teenager. All of which came to an abrupt halt when I became pregnant at nineteen.

I’ve often wondered how and why God would shelter an unworthy person like me through such rebellion. Now, I know. The Rebar Intercessors made an impact on my life when I didn’t even know they were praying.

Women of faith, praying to my Father in Heaven to protect me, guide me, and not give me over to my flesh. He held me close in my loneliness and collected every tear of painful regret because of someone else’s prayers. How wonderfully humbling this lady’s words were to my spiritually mature ears!

Paul says to the church of Colossae,

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this, you have heard before in the word of truth, the gospel, which has come to you. And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. (Colossians 1: 3-6a, 9-)

Colossians 1 ESV – Greeting – Paul, an apostle of Christ – Bible Gateway

Paul does an excellent job of explaining how necessary it is to pray for new believers. Yes, they heard the gospel, and it impacted their lives, but without people ceasing to pray, they will quickly fall into the behavior of the culture surrounding them.

The Impact of Intercessors

Like me, they experienced the grace of God in truth. Grace for safety in foolishness and protection of the soul during immaturity. Spiritual wisdom does not come when we are chasing material things, running from painful experiences, or struggling with body image.

It comes in the gratitude of a reformed heart. The day we look back at what could have happened but didn’t. His grace is in all the blessings that kept multiplying despite a lack of reverent devotion on my part. Moreover, it came because of prayer warriors meeting weekly to intercede for my soul.

Glory to God for the Rebar Intercessors and for listening! Now I have the opportunity and wisdom to act on behalf of those going through the same struggle.

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