The Bible is filled with powerful examples of intercessory prayer. These stories inspire us to boldly approach the throne of God and lift up the needs of our loved ones, our communities, and our world. Before we look at those examples, let’s define intercessory prayer and describe ways we can be intercessors ourselves.
What is Intercessory Prayer?
Through prayer, we commune and communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is a vital part of our relationship with God, and a healthy prayer life leads to a vibrant walk with Christ.
Intercessory prayer is when we pray on behalf of others. Anytime we stand in the gap between someone and God, praying for His perfect will to be done in their lives, we exercise intercessory prayer.
For example, praying for prodigal children to repent and return to God; the lost to come to salvation; addicts to be delivered from strongholds; victims of abuse to be extracted from the situation and protected from their perpetrators; and the horrors of human trafficking to cease.
With all the evil in the world today, the list of things to lift to the Lord in fervent prayer is endless!
Intercession is pleading with God in brokenness and humility for divine intervention in situations where the circumstances seem insurmountable.
Let’s look at some examples of intercessory prayer in the Bible…
10 Examples of Intercessory Prayer in the Bible
Prayer is powerful! Instead of just worrying, weeping, or wringing our hands in times of trouble, our first response should be to beseech the Lord God Almighty for divine intervention. Here are ten people in the Bible who took that responsibility seriously and practiced intercession:
- Job – He continually interceded on behalf of his children- Job 1:5, and then for his friends- Job 42:10.
- Abraham – In a lengthy “if… then” conversation, Abraham asks for the righteous souls to be spared in Sodom- Genesis 18:23-32.
- Moses – One of the most famous intercessors in Scripture is Moses, who pleaded repeatedly with God to spare the Israelites after they had sinned. Despite their rebellion, Moses stood in the gap, asking God to have mercy. His fervent prayers demonstrate the incredible power of an intercessor. For instance- Exodus 32:11-13, 31-32; and for Miriam in Numbers 12:13.
- Solomon – In possibly the longest prayer in the Bible, at the dedication of the temple, King Solomon intercedes for the children of Israel- 1 Kings 8:22-53.
- Hezekiah – At the threat of invasion by Sennacherib, Hezekiah beseeches the Lord to save Israel from her fierce enemy- 2 Kings 19:14-19.
- Nehemiah – Upon hearing the news of affliction and destruction in his homeland, Nehemiah prayed for God’s help- Nehemiah 1:3-11.
- Esther – Another inspiring example is Esther, who risked her life to approach King Ahasuerus and advocate for her people. Through her courage and her petitions to God, an entire nation was saved from destruction. Esther’s story reminds us that we all have the potential to make a difference.
- Daniel – He prayed for forgiveness and mercy for God’s chosen people- Daniel 9:3-19.
- Elisha – 2 Kings 6:17 “Lord open his eyes that he may see…” were the words of intercession he spoke to the Lord for his servant, who was shaking in his sandals at the sight of Syrian soldiers surrounding the city they were in. For the full story, read 2 Kings 6:8-23. Countless times I’ve prayed that same simple prayer!
- Jesus – Jesus is the ultimate mediator between God and men. He is at the right hand of the Father, continually making intercessions for His beloved Bride, the Church. 1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 7:25
John 17 records the powerful High Priestly prayer of our Savior. Another instance of intercessory prayer is when He is in agony on the cross, crying, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”- Luke 23:34.
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.
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The Heart of the Intercessor
These examples of intercessory prayer in the Bible show that a certain heart attitude is required to intercede for someone else. Each intercessor experienced brokenness over the circumstances they saw someone else enduring. They had humility, holiness, and a heart for others.
We can follow their lead and urgently and desperately cry out to God on behalf of the hurting, helpless, and those who need healing.
Sometimes there are just no words. For instance, when I hear of the statistics and stories of victims of human trafficking. The magnitude of the horrors and the extent of evil they endure daily breaks my heart. I don’t even know where to begin praying for the people forced to live like that. The insidious nature of it all and the sheer immensity of the issue are simply overwhelming.
Praise God for the intercession of the Spirit! When we’re at a loss for words, the Spirit takes over and pleads for us according to the will of God.
Romans 8:26-27 KJV – 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.
How to Become an Intercessor
If intercessory prayer is new to you, begin with confessing your sins and getting a clean heart. Then make your requests known to God, with a grateful heart for His goodness and grace. (Phil. 4:6)
Close your eyes and imagine who you are praying for. Hear the cries of their heart. Envision the pain and suffering. Feel the weight of their struggle in your heart.
Put yourself in their shoes as you earnestly pray for these people. Pray with faith, believing that God is well able to do exceedingly, abundantly, more than we ask or imagine. (Eph. 3:20-21)
James 5:15-16 KJV – And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
A Simple Prayer of Intercession
There are no specific words to an intercessory prayer. It is simply communicating with the Father on behalf of someone else. Your intercession may sound something like this:
Heavenly Father, with broken hearts and outstretched hands, we lift these hurting souls up to your throne of grace. We plead for help and hope in their time of desperate need. Have mercy on them, Lord. Send provision for their physical needs and preachers of the gospel for their spiritual needs. Deliver them from evil and draw them to your precious Son and the hope found in Him alone. In the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, our King, we pray. Amen.
Intercede for Someone Today
From Abraham pleading for the people of Sodom, to Moses entreating the Lord to spare the Israelites, we see how impactful intercessory prayer can be. These examples of intercessory prayer teach us to see the needs of others and do something about them.
Which intercession do you relate to the most? Is it Job interceding on behalf of his children? Or does the story of Hezekiah petitioning the Lord for intervention against the enemy connect with your heart? Maybe it’s the way Elisha prayed for the spiritual sight of his servant that resonates with you.
Every intercessor stands in the gap for someone else, brings them to the throne of grace, and begs God to act on their behalf. Instead of ignoring the problems people face, we have the privilege of participating in their deliverance, through intercessory prayer.
Let us look to the intercessors in the scriptures for the pattern to follow. May we have the same heart to hear the hurts, feel the pain, see the needs, and voice the concerns to the only One who can truly affect change in this broken world.
Posts Related to Intercessory Prayer:
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The Significance of Praying ‘Our Father’ in the Lord’s Prayer
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63 Insightful Bible Verses About Grace
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