The Power of Hidden Intercessors

Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. —Philippians 2:4

When I was in my second year of seminary, I met a man named Frank Hart Smith—everyone called him “Pogo.” He was a writer, a leader, and an encourager of young people. I’ll never forget our first conversation. He asked about my journey, and I told him how I had resisted the call to preach. I said, “Lord, I’ll do music for You, but I don’t want to preach.”

He listened quietly, then said something that rocked me: “Curt, have you ever thought that because of your rebellion and resistance to the Spirit of God, He was about to pass you over… except that someone was praying for you? Maybe it was an elderly woman. Maybe it was a godly man. Because they were praying, God gave you another chance.”

That humbled me. I’ve never forgotten it. I believe in Heaven, I will meet those intercessors. I will look them in the eye and say, “Thank you for praying for me.”

Sometimes we think ministry is about being in the spotlight. But God does much of His work through those behind the scenes—those who pray in secret, cry out in the night, and carry a burden that no one else sees.

If you have received a second chance—or a third—it may not have been because of your own faithfulness. It may be because someone else carried you in prayer.

Are you carrying someone today? Keep going. And if you’re here because you were the burden, it’s time to thank God—and respond.