I read "Reese Howells Intercessor" many years ago and this portion of the book in chapter 12 ("What Is An Intercessor?") really stood out to me and has intrigued me over the years, and I think about it frequently. I just thought I post it for discussion and get your thoughts.
Also, I highly recommend the book. Great teaching and testimonies of intercession. I can attach a pdf of the book if anybody is interested.
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Mr. Howells would often speak of "the gained position of intercession", and the truth" of it is obvious on many occasions in his life. It is a fact of experience. The price is paid, the obedience is fulfilled, the inner wrestlings and groanings take their full course, and then "the word of the Lord comes". The weak channel is clothed with authority by the Holy Ghost and can speak the word of deliverance. "Greater works" are done. Not only this, but a new position in grace is gained and maintained, although, even then, that grace can only be appropriated and applied in each instance under the direct guidance of the Spirit. Mr. Howells used to speak of it, in Mr. Muller's phrases, as entering "the grace of faith", in contrast to receiving "the gifts of faith". What he meant was that, when we pray in a normal way, we may hope that God of His goodness will give us the thing. If He does, we rejoice; it is His gift to us; but we have no power or authority to say that we can always get that same answer at any time. Such are the gifts of faith. But when an intercessor has gained the place of intercession in a certain realm, then he has entered into "the grace of faith"; along that special line the measureless sea of God's grace is open to him. That is the gained place of intercession.
Mr. Howells referred to George Muller's experience. Mr. Muller had never gained a place of intercession over sickness, but on one occasion God raised up a sick person for whom he had prayed. On another occasion, he prayed for another sick person, but there was no healing. Mr. Muller, however, said that this was not a failure in prayer, because he had never gained a place of intercession over sickness, and therefore the answer to the first prayer was merely "a gift of faith", which would not necessarily be repeated. On the other hand, he had gained a place of intercession for the orphans. He was always ready to be the first sufferer on their behalf; if there was enough food for all except one, he would be the one to go without; and in this realm of supply, God held him responsible to see that the needs were always met, for the doors of God's Treasury had been permanently opened to him, and he could take as much as he needed.
Pastor Blumhardt of Germany, on the other hand, was a man who had gained a place of intercession for the sick. In his first struggles with evil spirits, it took him more than eighteen months of prayer and fasting, before he gained the final victory. Complaints were lodged against him of neglecting his work as a minister and devoting himself to the healing of the sick, but he said the Lord had given the parable of the friend at midnight and the three loaves, and, though unworthy, he was going on knocking. He prayed through, and God did open. Not only were hundreds blessed, but he raised a standard for the church. After the final victory he gained such ease of access to the Throne that often, when letters came asking for prayer for sick people, after just looking up for a single moment, he could find God's will as to whether they were to be healed or not. The sufferings of others became so painful to him that he was pleading for them as if for himself. That was intercession.
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Originally Posted by Bookman
