The colorful words on the coffee cup caught my eye, and the Spirit prompted me to pray. It’s a gorgeous souvenir my husband brought home last year from his mission trip to Oaxaca, Mexico. I prayed for the sweet couple we know that are serving Jesus as missionaries there. Little did I know that the prayer the Spirit initiated was in preparation for the giant earthquake that rocked that exact location just days later. With this experience, the Lord reminded me of the importance of intercessory prayer.
My family had been talking about that trip a couple of days ago. Memories of my husband’s mission trip to Nepal after the devastating earthquake of 2015 had also recently popped up on my Facebook. I can see the clues the Holy Spirit was dropping as I look back on the past few days.
This is a perfect example of how the Holy Spirit prompts believers to intercede in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world. He knows the needs of every person on the planet and will let us know when we should pray. But we don’t always pick up His cues to pray or follow through on His urgings. I know I’m totally guilty of that.
Be Sensitive to the Spirit’s Leading
I have plenty of moments where I make the connections but don’t pray, or I miss the hints entirely. Sometimes I get it right though, and pray for that person or issue He lays on my heart.
When we walk in the flesh, we’re distracted, disgruntled, and devoid of fellowship with the Lord. The flesh makes us self-focused, me-monsters who can’t be concerned with the plight of others. (Galatians 5:19-21)
But when we walk in the Spirit, we have a clean heart, renewed mind, spiritual eyes, and ears, and are in tune with the will of God. That’s when we can clearly discern the direction of the Lord and intercede in prayer for others.
The real business of your life as a saved soul is intercessory prayer. ~ Oswald Chambers Share on X
The Importance of Intercessory Prayer
Prayer is simply talking with our Heavenly Father. In prayer, we commune and communicate with Him. We can do that audibly, or in our hearts and mind. Either way, God hears us and answers our prayers according to His will and in His perfect timing. Prayer is a vital part of our relationship with Him, and a healthy prayer life leads to a vibrant walk with Christ.
There are some things that hinder our prayers, like unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, and impure motives. That’s why it’s essential to repent of sin daily, hourly even, to maintain fellowship with Christ, and to stay in step with the Spirit of God.
Intercessory prayer is when we pray on behalf of others, as the Lord led me to pray for our missionary friends in Mexico. (They are safe and sound, praise the Lord!) The Holy Spirit brings things to our attention, sometimes very subtly, and moves us to pray for it.
Intercessory prayer is important because we are partnering with the Spirit of God to accomplish the will of God for the glory of God.
We may be the only ones praying for the person that the Lord laid on our hearts to intercede for.
Examples in Scripture of Intercessory Prayer
There are several examples of intercessory prayer warriors in the scriptures. A few of those are:
- Job– In Job 42:10, he intercedes on behalf of his friends, even though they were miserable comforters in his tribulations.
- Moses– He prayed intercessory prayers for the children of Israel too many times to count. They were always doing something foolish and provoking the Lord to wrath. Through his intercession, Moses was able to save the lives of many of his people. One example that truly shows the character of Moses was when God struck Miriam with leprosy for speaking out against Moses. Numbers 12:13.
- Samuel– The Israelites had sinned against the Lord and asked for a king when God was their king. God sent a thunderstorm on the wheat harvest to discipline them. The people asked Samuel to pray for them so they didn’t die. Samuel responds by saying it would be a sin against the Lord for him to cease to pray for them. 1Samuel 12:23.
In each of those examples, the men of God intercede for people who are downright rascals. People who had disrespected them, hurt them, and rebelled against them, but still, those godly men prayed for them. That shows the meekness and mercy of those intercessors.
Can You Intercede in Prayer for Your Enemies?
Are you willing to pray for those who have mistreated you? For that husband who broke your heart, the wayward child who despises your Christian values, that person at school or work who always puts you down, or the haters who judge you for the color of your skin?
We should be, because that’s what Jesus did, and that’s what He told us to do. Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27-31, Romans 12:14, 1Peter 3:9
Luke 23:34 KJV~ Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
Jesus is the Ultimate Intercessor
Isaiah 53:12 KJV~ Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Job, Moses, and Samuel each point us to the Lord Jesus Christ as the ultimate intercessor. They give us a glimpse of the nature of our merciful High Priest. No matter how far we stray, or how many mistakes we make, Jesus is faithful to be our advocate.
Believers can be confident in Christ’s love and compassionate care. He is on our side! Condemnation can’t touch us! If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31.
Romans 8:34 KJV~ Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
High Priestly Prayer of intercession
John 17 records Jesus’ final prayer before going to the cross. Sometimes referred to as His High Priestly prayer, Jesus intercedes on the behalf of His disciples, and those who would come to follow Him in the future. Take the time to lay your eyes on those scriptures today. It’s a beautiful example of intercessory prayer.
1 John 2:1 KJV~ My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
The Greek word for “advocate” in this scripture is “parakletos” which means comforter, helper, intercessor, and one who pleads the cause of another. It’s the same word used for the Comforter in John 14:16, 26; 15:26, and 16:7, referring to the Holy Spirit.
I love how the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work so fluidly together. It blows my mind that they include us in their ministry to the souls of this world.
Hebrews 7:25 KJV~ Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Bear the Burdens and Love Your Neighbor Through Intercession
Intercessory prayer is a fabulous way to bear the burdens of others and love your neighbor as yourself. Galatians 6:2.
The next time someone pops into your mind, I hope that you will take the time to bring that person before the throne of God. Ask Him for protection, provision, and the presence of God in their current situation. Pray for them whether you are estranged or united, strangers or friends.
You never know just how impactful that intercessory prayer will be.
When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy. ~ Corrie ten Boom Share on X
Posts Related to Intercessory Prayer:
11 Prayers for Unity in Your Marriage
3 Prayers for Someone With Chronic Pain
3 Reasons Prayer is Essential for Your Spiritual Growth
The Significance of Praying ‘Our Father’ in the Lord’s Prayer
How to Have a Sober Mind Daily
10 Qualities of a Good Steward
Pray With Confidence
Intercessory prayer is an important spiritual discipline for every Christian. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors. Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
When Your Prayer for Pain Relief Goes Unanswered
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
You also want to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
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