I have a very strong gift of discernment that intensified for me a few years ago. When that happened I was discerning much more than I could handle at the time and was often overwhelmed with what I was hearing and feeling from the Holy Spirit and seeing through dreams and visions.
And I am now entering into a new season where I hear the Lord tell me that He desires to take this gift to a deeper level within me and teach me more about it.
I reflected back on the summer that I first grew overwhelmed with this gift, yet also reflected on how I have been walking this gift out ever since.
I learned to respond with intercession for many and for even nations when God would reveal something to me. I saw great fruit come out of these times of prayer by the grace of God.
However, the sorrow and grief that is coupled with some of what the Lord reveals can be difficult to carry and a reliance on Him will definitely need to increase.
Today I went on a walk after feeling the Spirit of God begin to stir within me.
And on my walk the stirring grew to a deep grief that I had no idea what for. All I knew is that there was a groaning in my spirit while I was in prayer.
I continued to pray until I felt this stirring lift from me some. I had an errand I needed to run so I decided to intercede while on my way.
After running my errand and returning home I finally felt the hand of the Lord lift off of me and knew whatever I was interceding for was heard.
I also found it interesting that while out, an ambulance was driving across my path leading me to look over at what appeared to have been an accident. I passed this scene twice while on my errand.
Before this errand though, I was inquiring the Lord about what I was praying for and I shared with Him an assumption of mine that perhaps He was leading me to pray for such and such in my life. And then He told me my interceding had nothing to do with me or any circumstance I was in.
I think it is only human to think that what we are led to pray for has to be something about us or those around us, but often times God’s heart is focused on matters that need His attention in that moment. And a car accident would definitely warrant that need for prayer.
I learned a valuable lesson today in using my discernment gift. I learned not to assume that when my heart is directed to pray that it is about my life or those around me. I learned to open my interpretation to include whomever the Lord needs me to intercede for.
I have a built in box in my head that contains my small world with my friends, my family, and myself. And even the disciples in the New Testament grappled with their small boxes as well when Jesus challenged them to loving outsiders.
As intercessors we will be led to pray outside of our boxes for lives we have never met or have yet to meet. So do not be surprised, as God is actively seeking out someone to stand in the gap momentarily, if He pulls you into a moment of prayer to intercede for someone or some event taking place just a few blocks away from you that you have no idea is taking place. There is a joy in knowing that we impact more lives in this manner than we will ever know.
The lesson I learned today was important. It’s not always about us when the Lord stirs our hearts. And I am learning to ask Him a better question next time around, “Lord, are you stirring me to pray for a situation or person in need that I do not know? Are you drawing me to stand in the gap in prayer for a soul that needs help or a nation in distress? If so, Lord use me.”