Seated with Christ

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6-7

In your mind’s eye, where is your place before God when you pray?  Do you see yourself coming to Him with cap in hand to beg?  When you pray, do you feel a little out of place in the divine throne room?  Perhaps you picture yourself at a distance from God-timid, shy, and imploring the Lord to do something.

There may be times when it’s appropriate to go to God as a beggar.  Times when you need to seriously mourn over some terrible transgression.  But even in those times of sorrow, God wants you to understand your glorious position in prayer.  For when you come before God to praise and intercede, it is your privilege and pleasure to join with Christ where He is seated at God’s right hand.  In that sacred spot even a beggar becomes a child of the king.

God has raised you up to be seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.  It’s a place not only of privilege but of serious responsibility, for as you pray, you do so alongside your Lord and from an exalted position.  You are a partner with Jesus Christ in spiritual warfare.  Because Christ lives to intercede, you live to intercede, as well.

When you pray, seated next to your Lord in the heavenlies, remember that your most feeble and faint prayer shakes the hearts of the people for whom you intercede.  It’s a privilege.  It’s a responsibility.