Intercessors are often hidden by God. We are the sideliners, the cheerleaders, rarely front and center. You can find us behind the scenes somewhere, praying in secret. It can be so rewarding, but there are times we must come out of hiding. Beloved, this is the time! The harvest is ripe. People need the Lord — but how will they come to him if we stay quiet?

Pray for your fellow intercessor.

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For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (Romans 10:13–15 NLT).

Toward the end of 2022, my pastor uttered something that has since been on my mind daily: “It’s time to stop praying for revival, and be the revival.”

Before you misunderstand, he wasn’t saying we should stop praying. Prayer is and will always be a vital ministry. His heart’s plea was for more. There’s always time for prayer, but the opportunity for action, not so much. Those moments must be seized.

Preacher and evangelist Leonard Ravenhill, who often wrote about prayer and revival, once said: “Maybe you are the key to revival in your church.” Revivalist and Salvation Army founder William Booth said: “I’m not waiting for a move of God; I am a move of God.”

God gave us everything we would need to go and make disciples. You are more than able, because the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in you (see Romans 8:11).

We have His Holy Spirit, Who helps and teaches us (see John 14:26). We have been given authority (see Luke 10:19). We have been given spiritual weapons (see Ephesians 6:11–18; Revelation 12:11; Hebrews 4:12). We have also been given spiritual gifts, and it is those gifts that make room for us and that open doors for us to share Christ with those around us.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully (Romans 12:4–8 NIV).

Prayer is the easy part for most of us. Everyone can pray or has a general understanding about praying. It’s when the time comes to walk out those prayers that people can get hesitant.

We are all blessed with a spiritual gift from God. Many feel, however, that what they’ve got to offer is too small. But the smallest act of love can produce a harvest if you walk in obedience.

A recent IFA article about that very thing shares the story of one small act of kindness that blessed someone.

Many are reluctant to use their gifts due to feelings of inadequacy. Some feel that they aren’t as important as those who operate in “full-time ministry.” The fivefold ministry offices are ordained by God Himself; this is not for all believers. But that doesn’t make you less important. The Church can’t do what it does without you.

While only some are called to this office or that (see Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Corinthians 12:28), all believers are called to serve.

Jesus modeled serving throughout His ministry, declaring, as we read in Matthew 20:28, that He came not to be served, but to serve others. His compassion led him to pray for the sick. He touched the untouchable, and He loved the unlovable. He fed the hungry. He welcomed the outcasts. What was the result of Jesus’ serving others? He demonstrated the gospel He preached, thus causing many to believe His message.

People often pray for God to do something about what they see, and they stop there. I wonder how often God is waiting for us to do something about it. After all, we aren’t called to be the hands and feet of Jesus to do nothing. It’s time to stop passing the buck and just step up.

You are uniquely gifted to serve because this scripture tells us that God has graced each one of us. They’re His gifts, not ours. It’s not about us, and it never was. It’s about serving others and bringing glory to God.

If someone is in desperate need financially, a prophetic word will bless them, but if they were to be blessed monetarily, that will probably mean more to them in the moment. A person who is in despair would greatly benefit from someone who has the gift to encourage. And someone who has the gift of mercy is as important as someone who can teach. One who can help is just as important as one who can lead. We all are beneficial and powerful when we serve in love.

You may not be called to the nations, but you are called to the people around you. You are called to serve your family. You are called to your workplace. You are called to your neighbors. These are people that only you can reach. You can be a missionary, right where you are. Don’t bury your talents in the ground.

When you serve in your God-given gift, you are presented with an opportunity to share Jesus. You also become the answer to someone’s prayer. 

There’s much to be done. Pray and ask the Lord what He would have you do. Listen for His prompting, and then obey. Serve someone today. Share the wonderful things that God has done for you. Use what God has given you, and bless somebody. Be the revival!

Father, thank You for Your kindness to me. You made me. You see me. You know me. You know everything I’ve ever done, and still You chose me. You still love me and call me Yours. I could never repay You for what You’ve done. All I can say is, thank You, Lord. I love You, Lord. Thank You for saving me, for loving me, for filling me with Your Holy Spirit, and for gifting me so that I can share Your message with others.

Here I am, Lord — send me. I surrender all of myself to You. I open my mouth so that You may fill it. Let me speak Your word in and out of season, and let me be ready to answer anyone who wants to know why I have hope, as it says in 1 Peter 3:15. Use my hands to heal the sick, according to Your word in Mark 16:18, and also to feed the hungry or to bless those who are in any other sort of need. Anoint my feet to go where You send me. You have said in Isaiah 52 and in Romans 10:15: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news.” Enable me to preach the good news. Touch my eyes to see people the way You see them. Give me a heart that is moved with compassion for the lost.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What gift has God graced you with? Share your thoughts and prayers here.

IFA contributing writer Gloria Robles is a passionate intercessor with a prophetic voice for today. For more from Gloria, go to Spotify or Anchor and listen to her podcast, Something To Share. Photo Credit: adrianna geo on Unsplash.