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Today's Devotional

But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One—1 John 2:1 (NIV).

We are used to read in the Bible of one intercessor, and of one advocacy. But the believer has two courts with which prayer has to do. In the court below, where prayer is offered, the Spirit is his intercessor. In the court above, where prayer is presented, Jesus is his intercessor. Then, what an honored, what a privileged man, is the praying man! On earth—the lower court—he has a counselor instructing him for what he should pray, and how he should order his suit. In heaven—the higher court—he has an advocate presenting to God each petition as it ascends, separating from it all that is ignorant, sinful, and weak, and pleading for its gracious acceptance, and asking for its full bestowment. Here, then, is our vast encouragement in prayer. The inditings of the Spirit—the intercessor of earth—are always in agreement with the mind of God. In prayer we need just such a divine counselor.

Is it temporal blessing that we crave? We need to be taught how to graduate our request to our necessity, and how to shape our necessity to our heavenly calling....And this is the limit, “Having food and clothing, let us be therewith content” [1 Timothy 6:8].... 

But with regard to spiritual blessings, our grant is illimitable, our requests may be boundless. “Ask what you will,” is the broad, unrestricted warrant....

With such an intercessor in the court on earth—so divine, so loving, and so sympathizing—and with such an intercessor in the court in heaven—so powerful, so eloquent, and so successful, “let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” [Hebrews 4:16].

About the author and the source

Octavius Winslow (1808–1878) was an ardent evangelical preacher who served in the United States and in Great Britain. In addition to many books that emphasized the life and work of Christ, he wrote morning and evening devotionals.