Brooding. This is an interesting word from my youth which is gaining new interest in me. As a young boy, I often heard my precious grandpa speak of his brooder hens. In that context, a hen will brood (sit) on her fertile eggs for about twenty-one days to bring life from within, only breaking for moments to eat and drink.
Also in my youth, I often became bored on Saturday mornings, and so I would sit quietly thinking of some exciting thing I could do. Mom would look at me caringly and ask, “What are you brooding over?”
Why am I rethinking this word? Whether realized or not, an effectual intercessor will brood (meditate, think on, speculate, evaluate) on situations, needs, problems, questions of life that need answers, burdens which become prayers, troubled thoughts seeking solutions.
Times of brooding prayer may even be filled with unspoken praise and unspoken questions and requests. This may actually be the times the Holy Spirit is most actively praying within you and for your brooded need. This may also be your most successful praying.
Brooding. It is a burden of the heart that will not release you night and day until resolution or release is met. The successful intercessor fervently seeks God using God’s direction; seeks God using God’s Word, and seeks God using quiet stillness of thought and prayer. This violent world needs brooding intercessors. Those not yet saved need brooding intercessors. Perhaps God awaits your brooding prayer.
Call it what you will; Pray On! The world needs praying believers. God needs effectual fervent praying children of the Kingdom!
