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Cultivating a Life of Prayer
Praying for Others - Intercession

Article VI

What is intercessory prayer?

The Greek noun for intercession is "enteuxus.” It primarily denotes a meeting, having a conversation, or petitions rendered on the behalf of others. [1] It is pleading to our Father God on behalf of the needs of others. It is the ability to help carry another’s burden in prayer. As you identify with the sins of those you are in praying for, you are asking God’s forgiveness and mercy on their behalf. Intercession then, in its simplest terms, is standing in the gap - praying for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another’s case. [2] This is a ministry that a ll believers have access at any time.

Intercession is praying for others

The ministry of intercession is one of the highest privileges of a believer. Intercession might be viewed as love on its knees in prayer for others. It is praying the will of God from heaven to earth. It is seeking the presence and audience of God in another's stead. It involves taking hold of God’s will and refusing to let go until His will comes to pass. Intercession can break us through into higher and deeper places with God, as revelation shows us where and how to move in the throne room of God. [3] Intercessory prayer is processing the plan of God, bringing the will and purpose of God to fulfillment – it is bringing God’s will down to earth.

Matt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Old Testament intercessors

It has always been necessary for righteous individuals to go before God to seek reconciliation with His fallen creation. This, being one of the earliest biblical forms of intercession, is shown in Genesis 18 where Abraham spoke to God on behalf of Sodom. His plea was compassionate and concerned with the well-being of others rather than with his own needs. Another good example of intercessory prayer is with Moses. As a righteous man, he successfully petitioned to God on behalf of the Hebrew people.

Throughout Bible times, men and women have changed the course of history through intercession. Now, in these crucial end times when God is winding up His plan for mankind, the challenge given to Ezekiel still stands:

Ezekiel 22:30 And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

We are commanded to pray for others

Far too often people get consumed with their own needs and forget about the command of God to pray for others. The Lord, however, instructs us to pray not only for our needs, but to reach out and pray for others. In His command to intercede for others, God exhorts us to pray first for others. We must take this as a direction from the Lord.

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men…

Intercession is a vital part of the prayer ministry. It creates a foundation that allows God to work in mighty ways in the lives of people and nations. Your intercessory prayers affect the lives of others throughout the world. It is God’s way of reaching the world.

Praying for our nation and leadership

God also commands us to pray for those in authority over us.

1 Tim 2:2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

In the time in which Paul wrote this above scripture, most countries had kings for leaders. Today’s equivalent in the United States would be our president. After him, it would his advisers, congress, and all national and local leaders. We need to pray for the armed forces, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel. We need to pray for all who are in authority. As elected or appointed officials, we have the responsibility to pray for them so that we may lead quiet and peaceable lives, godly and respectful in every way.

2 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

God wants us to pray for our nation. When a country is living in turmoil, nobody can lead a quiet and peaceable life. We need the kind of government where we are allowed to live peaceful lives under the rule of God. God tells us when we pray for our nation and those in authority over us, it is good and acceptable in His sight. Because of believer’s prayers, things can be changed.

1 Tim 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

Praying for other nations

It is God’s desire that everyone be saved and come to the knowledge of truth. While other countries outside of the United States have an influence in the spreading of the Gospel, “America is still the main country that is carrying the Gospel to the world.” [4] The world needs to be reached so that God’s desire that “all men be saved and come to the knowledge of truth” can be manifested.

1 Tim 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

There are millions of people who have never heard of the Gospel - the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. There are many third world countries within the 10/40 window of latitude and longitude where the Gospel has been forbidden. The leaders of these nations need their hearts softened to allow Christianity to enter into their countries. That can only be done through prayer.

 Christ is our intercessor

Christ's intercessory work for His believers did not cease when He left this earth and returned to heaven . Jesus is now our high priest who intercedes to the Father in heaven on our behalf. He sits in heaven next to the Father as our advocate, standing in the gap between God and man.

Heb 7:25 …He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.

Christ pleads on our behalf to the Father. Because we, as believers – as Christ’s body and representatives here on earth, we are an extension of Him. We then are urged to plead to the Father on others’ behalf. We all have the ministry of interceding for all people.

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Covering the globe in prayer

The prayer of intercession is designed to bring God’s will and purpose to pass. As we have a responsibility to pray God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we become the “gap fillers” between heaven and earth. Through this ministry, we can circle the entire world interceding for the multitudes who have no one else to "stand in the gap" for them. We can, therefore, cover the globe in prayer. The destiny of events in the world have been placed in the hands of praying men and women. [6]

The primary means by which God’s will is to be done in earth is through prayer. God can do nothing without it. God has a will for nations, their governments, businesses, churches, as well as the individual lives of people. He is interested in relationships of nations and all peoples alike. He cares about every detail for everyone. He cares and has a will for everything and He is leaning on His people to pray.

Jms 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The necessity of prayer

If we don’t pray and intercede for others, the devil will have his way. As keepers of the earth, man must use the dominion, power, and authority that God has given him over this planet.

Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Through intercession, we stop Satan in his tracks so God’s purpose for man can come to pass.

God doesn’t change – circumstances change

It must be pointed out that prayer does not move God. He remains constant. That may seem like a dichotomy to what has previously been taught in this lesson; however, it is not. The truth is, God has already moved on our behalf. His plans and purposes are waiting in the spiritual realm to be manifested in the natural, or physical, on earth. According to Ephesians, God has already given us all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. We are already blessed - they are ours to receive.

Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

The Word tells us that there is no variation of change in God. Circumstances, however, can change. That is how we must pray.

Prayer for changing circumstances is the responsibility of believers in intercession. In praying for changing circumstances, we are then praying for God’s plans and purposes to be fulfilled on earth – in nations, government, people, and situations. They are waiting in the spiritual realm to be manifested on the earth. As we learn more of God plan and purposes, as listed in His Word, it becomes our faith in prayer that brings those things that have already been accomplished in the spiritual realm and prayed through until it manifests in the natural, or physical, realm. Refer to the last lesson on Faith in Prayer.

Pray for all men

God’s desire is that we pray for all men. In addition to praying for those in authority, we are commanded to pray for everyone. That includes our family – those we love, friends, neighbors, co-workers, acquaintances, and also those whom we may not like all that well or have never met. We are to pray for all men, meaning all mankind.

Interceding about the things God wants you to pray about

God desires that His people spend time with Him. To get away to be alone with Him must be a continuous conscience choice to break away from the busyness of the day to quiet yourself before the Lord.

The more you grow in the Lord and develop your prayer life, the more you will find yourself praying about the things God wants you to pray about. Just know that there will always be more needs around you than you could possibly manage in prayer. The question then is - how do you decide what is the most important? Very simple - you must be led by the Spirit.

Be led by the Spirit of God

As you are led by the Spirit of God, your prayers may not always be about those things that seem to your natural mind to be the most needed in prayer. You won’t always be praying about those urgent situations people say you should be focusing upon. As you are led by the Spirit of God, your prayers will be the link of the Holy Spirit within you to the throne room of God. It will be God in you speaking to God in heaven, using you as the instrument of His work.

Prayer always begins with God. It is a cycle that begins when He puts His thoughts and ways into your heart.

Isa 55:6-11 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD… So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

In order to bring things forth in the earth, God needs someone to lift them up to Him in prayer. He needs someone to ask Him. It is imperative that we are led by the Spirit of God. [7]

The Holy Spirit speaks to us in many different ways. In the natural, when you see someone, you see them with your eyes. The Holy Spirit can show you in prayer someone to pray for by giving you flashes, or cues, meaning you may see images or flash impressions of someone. When someone speaks to you, you hear them physically with your ears. In the same way, when the Holy Spirit speaks to you, you hear Him with the ears of your heart. The Holy Spirit can also give you impressions of a person or situation. However the Holy Spirit wants to reach you, He will, as long as you are open to be led Him.

Hearing and seeing in the spirit realm does not come through our own fleshly efforts. It comes in response to sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and our faith in God’s Word.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Jesus has told us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. What He speaks will come from the Father, and He will speak or show us what we need to know. What He shows us then are our cues in which to pray. He wants us to follow Him like little children, obeying what we see and hear in our hearts.

Mental praying, praying with our understanding, is limited to our knowledge - our own understanding. Although they may be sincere prayers, they may not always be effective. God has given us the Holy Spirit’s impartation because we do not know how and what to pray. Our human reasoning can go only so far.

Praying for others through the power of the Holy Spirit

For the balance of this lesson we will concentrate on praying for others through the power of the Holy Spirit within you. We will discuss praying with our understanding and praying in other tongues - as the Holy Spirit leads.

Check your heart

Every time you start to pray, check your heart. Look within to see where God is leading you. Remember, it is the Holy Spirit residing within you to give you what you need to know. You may not understand what the Holy Spirit is giving you, but you need to trust that He is leading you. It is important to note here that you are deepening your relationship with the Lord while looking within. You are not looking for manifestation, but focusing your attention on what God’s Word says. In that, your thoughts are on the promises of His Word.

The Word of God is the fuel behind every effective prayer

“When your prayers are fueled by the Word of God and filled with the faith only it can generate, you can be certain you are praying according to God’s will.” [8]

You can train your heart to be constantly aware of the companionship of the Holy Spirit. You can develop yourself spiritually to the point where you interact with Him not just when you are reading your Bible or praying, or even when you go to church, but when you are eating a meal, getting dressed, driving to work, or anything else. As you meditate on the Word of God, you are actually fellowshipping with the Spirit of Truth. You are growing familiar with His voice.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Rom 7:6 …So now we serve not under [obedience to] the old code of written regulations, but [under obedience to the promptings] of the Spirit in newness [of life]. AMP

Cues? What are they?

As you mature in your development of good prayer habits, you begin to cultivating a consciousness of the Holy Spirit working in your life. You will become aware of gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit that comes to you, not only in your prayer times but throughout the day. Those promptings can be described as cues. They come only when needed; then instantly they are gone.

Cues can best be described like flash card reminders that are used by TV crews to help the person(s) behind the camera who are being taped.  Written words are instantaneously flashed in front of the person, hidden from the TV audience, of the words that need to be spoken.

The Holy Spirit works in the same manner as flash card cues. You can be busy about the normal things in your day when suddenly someone will flash across your mind. You then realize that you haven’t thought of that person in a very long time – maybe even years. That was a cue from the Holy Spirit. If you don’t realize that it was a cue from the Holy Spirit, you may pass it off as a short interlude to think about that person. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, had a definite purpose in giving you that cue - it was to pray for that person. God uses the power of prayer to change lives. You could actually save someone from harm or disaster, or even their life just by praying a simple prayer when you get a cue from the Holy Spirit. You could even save someone’s life. Many times we overlook such promptings to pray because we don’t realize how supernatural they are.

How do cues come?

Getting a cue from the Holy Spirit could come by an impression of a person’s face, circumstances, or a reminder of their name. If you are not sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, you may miss them. It must be remembered that as a believer, the Holy Spirit is living on the inside of you as a believer. He isn’t just laying dormant, but He is at work, doing what Jesus said He would be doing – leading, guiding, bringing you into truth, as well as bringing things to your remembrance, revealing and disclosing the things of God, and helping you to pray as you ought. [9]

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

God’s mouthpiece

Some people have gotten off into extremes thinking they must always labor and travail in order for God is to work powerfully in a situation. That is not always true. When the Apostle Paul wrote to the churches at Rome, Ephesus and Thessalonica, he said he “made mention” of them often in his prayers. This should be an example of what little effort it sometimes takes to become God’s mouthpiece for others on this earth.

Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers.

1 Thess 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

Other times, however, it may take more effort to “pray out” a situation. The interesting thing about prayer is that it is never the same.

God has given mankind dominion over the earth. He uses people to affect other people. Since God’s Words are containers of His power, His Words can only be spoken out by His people here on earth. They become His mouthpiece in prayer, and then His power can be released into other people’s lives. When you are praying according to the direction of the Holy Spirit, you are speaking God’s Word and His words make things happen.

When you don’t know how to pray

How do you pray for others when God's will is not clearly understood? That is why we have the Holy Spirit residing on the inside of us. Part of His function is to pray through God’s people. His prayers then become the perfect prayers to the Father God.

Not a lot is said in the Bible about praying in your known language as a form of praying in the Spirit; however, it is still a realm of prayer that takes a person a step beyond praying with his or her own understanding. It is possible to pray in the Spirit in your known language. When that happens, you are more conscious of God and spiritual things than you are of your natural surroundings. You are not in your natural dimension, but in a deeper dimension of prayer. You are conscientious of what you are saying, but totally tuned out to the things surrounding you. It is there where you can speak things out in prayer that would otherwise never have occurred to you. You are actually speaking under divine inspiration much like the inspiration that occurs in the gift of prophecy.

Praying in tongues

Praying in tongues through the power of the Holy Spirit unfolds God’s will and purpose.

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Holy Spirit also helps us in our weaknesses. The word “helps” in verse 26 of the above verse is a compound Greek word which means “joins in,” “to help,” “co-operate,” or “assist.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for God's will when we don’t even know what God's will is. This kind of intercession brings God's will and God’s purposes to pass. When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit and intercede with Him, He then leads us to intercede according to the will of God, and direct us to pray God's will into existence. We can not do this on our own - we need His help. We have to tune in and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish this. We can never pray this kind of prayer without the help of the Holy Spirit. [10]

Praying through until completion

When you are burdened to pray for someone or something under the Holy Spirit’s power within you, it is important that you pray through until the Holy Spirit has prayed through to completion. You will know when that happens when you receive that release to stop. At that point, you will sense a feeling of peace. You will then know that your prayers have truly been effective. Effective prayers are the ones that get results.

Your desires in faith

Lastly, look at the prayer of faith as found in Mark 11:22-24

And Jesus, answering, saith unto them, Have faith in God.... or the God kind of faith - faith in God's ability to accomplish His best for you...

Mark 11:22-24 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Center in on the word “desire.” God is not worried about your desires being wrong when He says “whatever things ye desire.” He is not concerned that your desires are going to be ungodly or that you will desire something that isn't in line with His Word. God stated that the initial premise is you must have “faith in God." The God-kind of faith means that the believing you are doing in your heart - those things which have become your standards of truth – line up with God's Word. If they don’t and your heart is right, the Holy Spirit would give you that check-mark in your spirit. Desire is God-given, and it is a motivator for you to pursue the things that you hold to be true. A desire is only ungodly when the truth that you hold is ungodly.

If you believe those things that God has set before you is supported by His Word, then your desires are automatically going to motivate you to actions that will conform to that standard of truth. You must trust your desires, as long as your motive is love and patience, supported by the Word of God. (Refer to the last lesson on Faith in Prayer.)

When you have gone through the process that will produce the God-kind of faith, what you have prayed will happen and you will have the promises of God manifested in your life.

  • Faith is reading and hearing the Word of God
  • Faith is meditating on the Word of God
  • Faith is confessing the Word of God
  • Faith is action - obedience to the Word of God

The results will be whatever things you desire when you pray, believe and you will have them.

Mark 11:24 What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

A few of its weapons have been given out in this lesson; it is not, however, inclusive. The important thing for believers to know is that God is looking for are those who are willing to persevere in prayer. As the Holy Spirit directs, you can do wonders in prayer. There is no end to the power given to believers when they persevere in prayer

John 14:14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

Christians have the most awesome privilege that any human being can ever experience - getting to intimately know their Creator - the Creator of the universe. Through that intimacy, believers can live a lifetime of a growing personal relationship with God and grow to fulfill their ultimate call and purpose on earth.

Through prayer, a believer has the privilege of coming to the throne room of God to stand in His presence. As believers in Jesus Christ, we can come to Him in adoration and worship, thanking Him for what He has given us, resting in His presence, beseeching for our needs, or interceding for others.

Some things to do in prayer

  • Worship and praise God
  • Rest in the presence of God
  • Enjoy the presence of God
  • Fellowship with God - get to know Him
  • Ask for needs
  • Intercede for others
  • Listen to God
  • Seek direction with God
  • Discover truth with God
  • Discover you call in life with God - your greatest potential

As sons and daughters of the most High God, we have the privilege of calling Him our Heavenly Father. His desire is to commune with His children, both individually and corporately, through His Son Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit that resides within our human spirit.

Fellowshipping with the Father is the very heart of a prayer life

The sad fact is that very few believers understand or choose to develop that fellowship with their Creator; thus, they miss out on answered prayer and how to be led by the Spirit. They also miss out on the greatest relationship that they can experience, as well as fall short of their greatest potential.

Our journey in God

Our journey in God must be one of knowing how to commune with our heavenly Father. The fear in many believers is making a mistake or fear of being led by the wrong spirit. As Christians, we must know that God has spoken to man through His Word and the voice of the Holy Spirit Who will never lead a believer apart from God’s Word. Balance what you hear from God with the Scriptures and you will never go wrong.

It is suggested that your prayer time consist of at 15 minutes each day in praise, worship, and thanksgiving. The balance of the 15 minutes will be done in intercessory prayer – praying for others. Keep in mind what you have learned in this article, and apply it to your prayers. After that, pray as the Spirit leads.

Have a wonderful time in prayer!

End Notes

[1] http://www.bible.com/answers/aprayer.html
[2] Hagin, Kenneth E. The Interceding Christian. Kenneth Hagin Ministries. Tulsa, OK 1982.
[3] http://throughtheveil.net/prayer_and_intercession.html
[4] Hagin, Kenneth E. The Interceding Christian. Kenneth Hagin Ministries. Tulsa, OK 1982.
[5] www.teachinghearts.org/dre00maps.html
[6] The New Unger's Bible Dictionary. Originally published by Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. Copyright (c) 1988
[7] Hammond, Lynne. The Master is Calling. Mac Hammond Ministries. Minneapolis, MN. 1995.
[8] Hammond, Lynne. The Master is Calling. Mac Hammond Ministries. Minneapolis, MN. 1995.
[9] Hammond, Lynne. The Master is Calling. Mac Hammond Ministries. Minneapolis, MN. 1995
[10] http://www.biblestudynotes.org/forums/index.php?act=ST&f=6&t=353

Last modified: Thursday, 17 January 2008, 06:52 AM