Intercession for the Defenseless

 

We had quite an adventure in the backyard this week. I was letting our cat Shadow out the back door one morning when I noticed a bird walking around in the yard. I assumed the bird would fly away when Shadow came out but it just kept walking and eventually huddled up pitifully against the back fence. I ran outside and picked Shadow up before he got to the bird and carried him unhappily back inside. I got online to get some idea of what to do. Meanwhile, the bird walked across the yard, hopped up on to one of the patio chairs and stared at me through the patio door. I went outside and was able to get beak-to-nose without the little bird flinching. I came back inside and was still looking for an answer when an adult blue jay came and fed the bird on the chair. Mystery solved – it was a fledgling blue jay! It takes them a few days to learn how to fly. I watched it make some tentative horizontal flights from one chair to another. Eventually, it was able to make its way out of the yard, hopefully to safety.

 

I felt responsible for the fledgling because it was so defenseless and in danger, even though I had no real connection to it.  It made me think about all the defenseless people who need our support. Our first thought goes to the unborn, who are the ultimate example of defenselessness. We should continue our prayers and our work on their behalf. I started to think about all the other people in our world who have limited or no defenses. The aged and infirm, especially those having to care for themselves with limited resources; The mentally ill, who suffer with illnesses not easily seen but just as disabling; The homeless, many of whom are in peril for their very lives each day; People trying to break free from drugs or other problems who want to come back to God, as they are under Satan’s most severe attacks.

 

We are called to “Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked”  (Ps 82:3-4). Many of us are already caring for others who are in need. Let’s remember in our daily intercessory prayers all those who are defenseless and have no one to care for them or pray for them. Pray that their needs might be met and that they will know the love and care of God today.