I can only say this one thing about this article -- . . . frankly, --- I LOVED IT!! -- Steve Shultz, Publisher

"THE WIDOW-WOMAN OR THE KING'S BELOVED?"

". . . One of the gripping and poignant realities that I have observed is the extreme weariness that many intercessors are experiencing.. ."

". . . a misunderstanding . . . that has led to a model of intercession that, while it has a measure of effectiveness, is not what Jesus had in mind for His people." -- Gary Wiens

----ABOUT AN "UNSUSTAINABLE" MODEL OF INTERCESSION

By Gary Wiens Burning Heart Ministries, Inc. www.burningheartministries.com Gary's email: gwiens@ihopkc.com

(Gary Wiens is founder and President of Burning Heart Ministries, Inc., and is associated with the International House Of Prayer in Kansas City)

As I have been traveling extensively over this past year, touching a number of cities of the earth where the people of God are taking seriously the call to prayer, one of the gripping and poignant realities that I have observed is the extreme weariness that many intercessors are experiencing. These are precious brothers and sisters who are captured by the longing to see the Kingdom of God come in the earth, and who are faithful and persistent to call upon His Name to bring this reality on earth as it is in Heaven.

INADEQUATE UNDERSTANDING OF INTERCESSION

As the Holy Spirit has continued to take me deeper into the reality of relationship with the Lord as part of His mystical Bride (along with so many others here at the House of Prayer), I have become convinced that there is an inadequate understanding of the fundamental basis of approaching the Lord in intercession.

Over the years, the parable that Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8 has become a significant model for intercession, and indeed it is intended for that. But I believe there has been a misunderstanding of the parable that has led to a model of intercession that, while it has a measure of effectiveness, is not what Jesus had in mind for His people.

THE NEED FOR JUSTICE

In this parable, the scenario is set that there is a widow who needs justice in her situation. Her only course of appeal is an unrighteous judge, who "neither fears God nor cares about people." Therefore, the model of appeal she is forced to embrace is one of relentless badgering and pestering, refusing to be denied before this judge, who eventually relents and gives her what she is asking for, "lest she wear me out with her constant pleas."

NOT WHAT JESUS HAD IN MIND

What has emerged is a model of intercessory prayer that basically says "We're going to storm the Throne Room and throw our arms around the feet of God and not let go until He gives us what we require." While this kind of persistence is commendable, it is not the kind of relationship Jesus had in mind for us with Himself or with His Father.

What Jesus is doing in this parable is drawing a contrast between the Father and the unrighteous judge. He is saying to us, "if this widow is able to get what she needs by unrelenting persistence, how much more will my Father give you what you ask for, since you are His elect ones, chosen with delight from before the foundations of the world, the Bride He is preparing for me?"

The reality is that in the Old Testament, when the imagery of widowhood is used to describe Israel, it is because the nation has come to a place of judgment. The Book of Lamentations speaks of Jerusalem in the desolation of her widowhood. Isaiah encourages Israel with the promise that her widowhood is only for a short moment, and that she will be called "married" once again. God speaks through Hosea that the people of God will once again call Him "my Husband," and not "my master."

"FATIGUING AND DEPRESSING"

This widow-woman model of intercession -- need-based, horizontally focused, emotionally distraught, and based in an emotional perception that God is fundamentally distant and uninterested- is fatiguing and depressing in a long-term application. It is not sustainable over the long term, certainly not for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I believe with all my heart that God is giving us a different model of approach. I would say a new model, but it has always been in place, at least since the days of Esther, for it is her example that I want to hold up as the Biblical model of Bridal intercession.

THE KING'S GLORY

The story is well-known: the King, who is a snapshot of God in the story, is lavish and generous. He has put away his first wife because she refuses to come and display her beauty. This is not a thing about impurity in the King, asking her to do something illegitimate. The King's glory is enhanced by the beauty of the bride, and when she refuses this place, she dishonors the King. He desires a Bride in whom he can exhibit his own glory, whose surpassing beauty and humility will enhance his own glory. This is truly a picture of God s heart for us as His people. As the candidates for the Queenly position come forth, Esther comes with great wisdom. Knowing that she is allowed to bring before the King anything she believes will win his heart, she exercises this wisdom by asking the King's man, Hegai, what would be pleasing to the King. As she clothes herself in the garments of righteousness, the wedding garments, the King is captured by her beauty, and she is made his Bride.

FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

There comes a point at which she has a desperate need. Her life, and the lives of her people are threatened, and she realizes that she has come to this place of authority for this very situation "for such a time as this." But her approach to the situation is not to storm the Throne-room to rant at the King, nor is it to go out in her own authority and confront the enemy. Rather, she clothes herself in the garments the King likes, and with fear and trembling, for he is the King, she presents herself humbly and regally, the Bride before the Bridegroom.

Of course, he welcomes her, and extends his scepter toward her, the very symbol of his authority. As she touches it, he asks what she requires, and her answer is absolutely profound. She does not go to the matter of her need, but asks if he, together with the enemy Haman, will come to a Banquet of Wine she has prepared in his honor.

This is a picture of worship and romantic adoration, since the ceremony of the Banquet of Wine is rooted in the betrothal customs of the Middle Eastern culture. When the King comes to the dinner, she simply ministers to him in all the lavishness of her love for him, dialing up all his romantic inclinations in the honor that he deserves.

AT THE KING'S INSISTENCE

Midway through the dinner, he asks what he can do for her, and she simply asks him to come again the next evening for another feast of romantic worship. It is only in the midst of this second worship time, and at the King's insistence, that Esther mentions the plot against her and her people, engineered by the very man who has observed their romance first-hand.

It sounds amazingly like Psalm 23:5 "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."

The King is outraged, for it is his Bride that is being threatened. When he discovers who is behind it, he deals with his enemy, and gives the people the authority to resist. Esther never talks to Haman one time, she doesn't rebuke him, she doesn't worry about him. She is absolutely focused on the beauty and power of the King, knowing it is fully in his power to deal with the enemy.

INTERCESSION THE LORD IS OFFERING US

This, in my mind, is the kind of intercession the Lord is offering us today-- intercessory worship that is captured by the beauty and power of the King, knowing that as worship ascends before Him, He will invite our requests, and in that context, the Lord of Hosts arises, and prepares to make war upon His enemies (see Isaiah 42:10-13).

The anguished petition of the widow-woman is no longer necessary. We have a Husband, and He is the King of the Universe, and is madly in love with us. Even the travail that happens is not from the perspective of getting Him to do something , but the joyful birth pangs that bring forth the results of fruitful relationship between a King and His Bride. The warfare that emerges is rooted in worship and in joyful participation with the personal agenda of a King whose heart burns with love for his Bride.

May the Lord bless and encourage your hearts in this. May His beauty capture you, and may you know the joy of ministering before Him in this way.

Gary Wiens Burning Heart Ministries, Inc. www.burningheartministries.com Gary's email: gwiens@ihopkc.com