The Vision of Intercession

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, preĝoj, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” 1 Timothy 2:1

Intercession is defined as the prayers offered for others as directed and energized by the Holy Spirit. It is when we stand between others and God to plead on their behalf in the Spirit.

“Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:18

“But you, beloved, build yourselves up in your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit.” Jude 1:20

The Word tells us that God is looking for even one to “stand in the gap.”

In the Bible, there were many intercessors who pled for individuals, families, cities, and nations. When God intended to destroy a nation, Moses “stood before Him in the breach.”

“Therefore he said he would destroy them– had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” Psalm 106:23

Everyone has a constant, perpetual intercessor in the person of Christ, who “ever lives to make intercession for them.”

“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

Intercession is the most rewarding and deeply satisfying service that we can engage in as we link our weak, powerless lives with His all-powerful life. We must recognize that God will not work without intercession and there must be intercessors.

“And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord GOD.” Ezekiel 22:30-31

It is a much neglected service to the Lord.

“I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me.” Isaiah 63:5

“There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.” Isaiah 64:7

“He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him.” Isaiah 59:16

It is the most unpopular service because it has high costs: it is done primarily in secret as an individual; it involves a sacrifice of time and fellowship; and God deals deeply with the state of one’s heart. But intercession is to become a way of life for everyone of us.

How to become and remain an intercessor

  • Desire to become an intercessor for others
  • Determine you will live this life
  • Discipline your life to intercede. This is the area where the vision is usually lost because of the high costs involved. The rewards will far exceed the cost. Make the principles of intercession a part of your life.
  • Worship God by meditating on His character (Jeremia 32:17,19; Miĥa 7:7)
  • Have faith in your heart to hear the will of God and to receive answers (Hebreoj 11:6; romanoj 4:20-23; John 14:13-14; marko 11:24; Efesanoj 1:19)
  • Realize you must live in obedience to revealed light
  • Expect God to reveal secrets (Amos 3:7)
  • Learn to pray by praying. The more you pray, the more you will want to pray.
  • Know the voice of the Lord (John 10:3-4)
  • Ask for the fear of the Lord, for hatred of evil and sin the way God hates it (proverboj 8:13)

Automatic responsibilities in intercession

“For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” 1 Timothy 2:2

We are to pray for all leaders in all areas of authority. To have divinely appointed leaders, we must intercede for them. In civic, Christian, national or worldwide leadership, added responsibility brings the need for added intercessors. As we pray for the maximum move of God in the world, or in His Body, we are to pray for God’s leaders to be appointed.

Other areas include: immediate family, young converts that we have been instrumental in bringing to the Lord, neighbors and how to give them the message, the city and nation where God has put us (Jeremia 29:7, Jesaja 66:7-9), churches and missionaries from our churches, lost souls and those in greatest spiritual darkness and bondage, in love and faith with a forgiving spirit for those that have despitefully used us, for an enlarged vision and heart of God (1 kronikoj 4:10), the least evangelized nations and those ministering there.

The Christian and spiritual warfare

The Christian life is warfare.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.” 2 Korintanoj 10:3-4

We must learn to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of Satan, as well as our own in the Lord Jesus. The enemy gets away with as much as we let him, and he keeps us in defeat because:

  • we have no knowledge of the enemy
  • unconfessed sin makes a platform for attack
  • we have not made restitution for sin

Don’t minimize the strength of Satanic forces.

“In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” 2 Korintanoj 4:4

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

“Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.” John 12:31

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.” John 14:30

“Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” John 16:11

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Petro 5:8

He has power in demonic ranks and mankind itself. But his weaknesses are by far greater than his strengths. He is a fallen angel, doomed to eternal destruction.

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low!” Isaiah 14:12

“And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:10

“The scatterer has come up against you. Man the ramparts; watch the road; dress for battle; collect all your strength.” Nahum 2:1

We are on the winning side.

“And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:19-23

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, videblaj kaj nevideblaj, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities–all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:15-20

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-11

Being free from sin, making restitution, continually being filled with the Holy Spirit, having a totally surrendered will, and receiving power by faith are the conditions of Scripture that must be met in our lives for victory. Satan had no power over Christ because he had no foothold of sin.

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.” John 14:30

We should be able to say at all times in humility, truth, and boldness that “the prince of this world has nothing in me.”

Preparation to battle with the enemy

  • Take the heavenly position seated with Christ (Efesanoj 2:4-7)
  • Realize and take authority (Luko 10:19)
  • Take place of protection (2 Tesalonikanoj 3:3; proverboj 18:10; Efesanoj 6:10)
  • Put on the whole armour of God which is for praying. (Efesanoj 6:13-17) Weapons are: the name of the Lord Jesus and His blood, the power for the Spirit, the sword of the Spirit [the Word of God] )
  • Take place of humility by recognizing your place in Christ

The ways of God in intercession

  • Pray out loud when possible. It helps to keep the mind from wandering.
  • Fast, with prayers (Ezra 8:21,23; Nehemiah 9; 2 kronikoj 20:3; Daniel 9:3; Esther 4; Hannah in 1 Samuel 1)
  • Weep in the Holy Spirit – Allow God to share His heart with you, melting you by the Holy Spirit in the fear of the Lord. (Hebreoj 5:7; Luko 22:44; romanoj 8:26)
  • Travail in prayer (Jesaja 66:7-9)
  • Wrestle in prayer (Jesaja 64:7)
  • Persevere in prayer (Luko 11:5-13)
  • Take no vacation from prayer (Jesaja 62:6)

Study these great intercessors and their prayers, noting the recurring themes of God’s character, His work, His people, His burdens, His responsibility, His glory and His promises; also not common references to fasting, the intercessor’s identification with the sins of the people, humbling and confession:

  • Daniel (Daniel 9:3-21)
  • Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:4-11)
  • Ezra (Ezra 9:4-15)
  • Moses (Nombroj 14:11-20)

A Warning

God knows the great weakness of the human heart towards pride, and if we speak of what God has revealed and on in intercession, it may lead to our committing this sin against God.

God shares His secrets and burdens with those who are able to keep them. There may come a time when He will definately prompt us to share but unless this happens, we should remain silent.

“And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.” Luke 9:36

“But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

How to do battle

  • Resist Satan (James 4:7; 1 Petro 5:8-9)
  • Bind the enemy (Matthew 12:29; 16:19)
  • Attack the sword of Spirit using appropriate scriptures as led and directed by the Holy Spirit (see Matthew 4 for how Jesus used the sword of the Spirit)
  • Declare the victory of Calvary – the finished work of Christ (Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8)
  • Confess victory through the Blood of the Lamb and word of testimony (Apokalipso 12:11)
  • State your authority in the Lord Jesus (Luko 10:19; 1 John 4:4)
  • On authority of the Word of God, smash the enemy’s stronghold and loose from bondage the person or situation for whom you are interceding
  • Declare verses of victory to give glory to God (Psalmo 44:3-8; 108:13; etc.)

Principles for effective intercession

Make sure that you heart is clean before God by having given the Holy Spirit time to convict, should there be any unconfessed sin. (Psalmo 66:18; 139:2-3)

Acknowledge that you cannot really pray without the direction and energy of the Holy Spirit (romanoj 8:26)

Ask God to utterly control you by His Spirit (Efesanoj 5:18; Hebreoj 11:6)

Die to your own imaginations, desires, and burdens for what you feel you should pray (proverboj 28:26; Jesaja 55:8; 2 Korintanoj 10:5)

Deal aggressively with the enemy. Come against him in the all-powerful Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the “Sword of the Spirit” – the Word of God (James 4:7; Zehxarja 3:2)

Ask for the fear of the Lord to speak out what He gives you, then be afraid to keep silent.

Praise Him now in faith for the remarkable prayer experience you are going to have. He is a remarkable God and will do something consistent with His character.

Wait in silent expectancy. Then, in obedience and faith, utter what God brings to your mind (John 10:27). Be sure not to move onto the next subject until you have given God sufficient time to discharge all he wants to say to you.

Always have your Bible with you should God want to give you direction or confirmation from it (Psalmo 119:105)

When God ceases to bring things to your mind for prayer, finish by praising and thanking Him for what He has done (romanoj 11:36)