Positively inclined. Generally, we find ourselves positively inclined toward someone who is special to someone who is special to us. “Oh, you’re a friend of my friend so & so? Well, by all means, come on in! And now what can I do for you?”
I think this is at the root of Paul’s appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. “Philemon, I have a special place in my heart for Onesimus, and I know he did you wrong, but for my sake would you be willing to work things out with him?”
This feature of our humanity—being positively inclined toward someone who is special to someone who is special to us—may well be an aspect of our having been created in the image of God. I think I see an example of this in God toward Abraham.
Do you remember when Abraham was interceding for Lot? (Yes, that nephew Lot who had made a string of poor choices that had him thoroughly enmeshed in the culture and mores of Sodom on the day of her visitation.) Because of his nephew, Abraham had made that series of bold pleas that God would avert His destruction of the city: What if You find 50 righteous…? 45? 40? 30? 20? 10?
As you know, when the Lord visited Sodom there weren’t even 10 righteous. The city would be destroyed. But we read this as to why the Lord spared Lot and his family: “So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, He remembered Abraham, and He brought Lot out of the catastrophe.” (Gen. 19:29) Lot was special to Abraham. And Abraham was special to God. So God remembered Abraham and brought Lot out of the catastrophe.
And there you have it: a basis for intercession! You and I are special to God. And as such, He cares about the people who are special to us: not just nephews, but friends and relatives and associates of every lot (pun intended). So then, why should we not grow bold in our appeals to the Lord on their behalf? Be audacious and fearless. If our friend’s need moves us, doesn’t it stand to reason that it will move His heart also? He’s positively inclined!