This week Israel celebrates Memorial Day and Independence Day. There will be solemn ceremonies to remember those who fought in the epic battles that helped gain this country her sovereignty and statehood. Then there will be barbeques and picnics to celebrate the liberty and blessings that Israel now enjoys. While many will honor those in active military service, I would like to propose another focus for memorial today.
This morning I read about the priestly garments that Moses was instructed to make for Aaron and his sons. I saw something interesting in Exodus 28:9-12,29,
“Then you shall take two onyx stones and engrave on them the names of the sons of Israel…And you shall put the two stones on the shoulders of the ephod as memorial stones for the sons of Israel. So Aaron shall bear their names before the LORD on his two shoulders as a memorial…So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place, as a memorial before the LORD continually.”
Aaron bore the names of his brethren on his shoulders and over his heart as a memorial for both him and the LORD. As their high priest, he was to remember that he was bringing the spiritual needs of his people before the LORD’s mercy seat. But also, the LORD was remembering the covenant and the promises He had made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob each time He saw the names of the sons of Israel come before Him. The Lord is also calling us to “bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). We should remember to continually bring the names of our family, friends and fellow believers before God’s mercy seat in prayer.
Is there someone you have been praying for, even for a long time? Don’t give up! Continually bring their name before God’s throne. Indeed, Jesus has made the example for us. He prays for us to the Father. In John 17:9,20 Jesus said, “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours…I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word…”
You might say, “I’m just not good at praying; I don’t know how to pray well.” It’s okay. Just say what you can, just speak their names to God. For,
“likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit it, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)
Don’t just pray a generic prayer…pray for people! Continually lift their names as a memorial before the Lord. Keep their names over your heart and on your shoulders daily. And don’t stop there. Remember the names of those around you who are lost. The Lord loves to be reminded that He came to seek and save those who are lost. Believe for the salvation of all Israel! Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May you be empowered and emboldened in your prayers for your brethren and lost souls today and every day!