Last week I wrote about how all of us have a call and all of us have been gifted by God for the sake of others. These gifts, or charisms are different from natural talents because natural talents can be used for our own benefit or for purposes that do not have God’s redeeming work at the center. Charisms can only be used to channel God’s love and provision for the world. This week I’ll begin to describe some individual charisms.
The charism of intercessory prayer empowers the intense, sustained prayer of a Christian for others as the means by which God’s love and deliverance reaches those in need.
Prayer is a necessary exercise for all disciples and does not require a special gift. But those who have been given the charism of Intercessory Prayer often see remarkable answers to their prayers on behalf of others. Christians with this charism are energized and excited to pray for others, and have the sense that God is using their prayers to change lives and situations. They don’t assume they know what God wants in any given situation; they try to “listen” to God for guidance on how to pray. They are able to spend significant time in prayer without tiring, but also can sense when they have done what God has called them to do and are finished. People frequently seek them out to ask for their prayers and report back that things changed for the better after asking for prayers.
If this describes you, you will be eager to volunteer to be on the prayer wall team. The Cathedral offers an online prayer wall so petitioners can request prayers for special intentions. The Prayer Wall Team members volunteer to keep these requests in their daily prayers. If you are interested in being on the team, please email Haley at hbentel@cathedral.dio.org or call 217-522-3342.
Vicki Compton is the Coordinator of Faith Formation and Mission at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield, Illinois.
