Intercession
Thank you for joining us today. We have a vital and exciting message for you. Pray that the Holy Spirit will fill you with revelation of the truth presented in today's post. We have been given an amazing gift and we are amazed at the love the Lord pours out on us, His children. In Christ, Eric
Prayer is a spiritual communication between man and God. In the Scriptures, we read about those who exemplified having a prayer life beginning in Genesis 4:26, which reads, "at that time people began to call upon the name of the Lord." Then, we have other examples in the Old Testament such as Abraham, Moses and David who frequently sought God through prayer.
All of us, believers and not-believers alike can find ourselves in situations, trials or difficulties where we need the prayer of believers. Prayer is our lifeline to our Creator, God.
There are many types of prayer we read about in the Scriptures. The first Scripture we will look at today is 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) which reads, "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Paul urges that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for 'all people.' As such, a believer's prayers display a love of neighbors which shows a heart posture that opposes prejudice and partisanship. We are to pray for kings and commoners alike.
A 'petition' is praying for a specific heart felt need. 'Prayers' are imploring God's aid in a particular matter. 'Intercession' is prayer that is more than a simple request but is a concentrated intervention. A prayer of thanksgiving is a prayer in which one expresses gratitude.
I believe it is important for us to take note that in the beginning of Paul's exhortation in Chapter 2, he uses the words, 'first' of all,. According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, 'first' means - firstly in importance. Verse 1 reveals that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving should be a top priority and made for all human beings, kings and all those in authority. I believe that 'all those in authority’ speaks of national or governmental leaders as well as those who are our spiritual leaders. Then we also see in verse 2 the reason we are encouraged to pray for all in authority..."so that, we may lead 'peaceful (undisturbed, quiet) lives in all godliness (a life marked by reverence, devotion and practical obedience) and holiness." Taking note of verses 3 and 4 also, Paul reveals that our prayers are good and pleasing in the sight of God, who desires that all men be saved. These verses reveal the importance of prayer in a believer's life also. Think about it, when we pray (in whatever form) it pleases the One Who created us!
In our post today, we are going to focus on 'intercession.' "Intercession refers to the act of intervening or mediating on behalf of another, particularly through prayer." (Bible Hub Topical Encyclopedia). Intercession is prayer where an individual or group seeks divine intervention and blessings for others. "Biblical intercession centers in waiting upon the Lord to learn what 'hits the mark' or is His will." (HELPS Word-studies). The Greek for intercession, enteuxis, carries the idea of drawing near for a face to face request." Intercession is never casual, it pictures one who enters into an "earnest, deliberate engagement with God on behalf of oneself or others." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). It is that time when we come before God wherein we believers wrestle for results.
We see added insight into the definition of 'intercession' in the American Heritage Dictionary - "Intercession is entreaty in favor of another, especially a prayer or petition to God in behalf of another." Then, in the Bible Hub Topical Lexicon, we read, "Intercession, entychano in the Greek, conveys a purposeful approach to a superior on behalf of another. It is an urgent appeal that carries the thought of access, advocacy, and prevailing representation. Whether voiced by prophets, the Holy Spirit (through believers), or the exalted Christ, it always describes speaking into the presence of authority with specific intent."
Thus far, we have seen that we are to intercede for all men, kings and for all in authority. We are also instructed to intercede for our nation. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV), "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land." As we see the turmoil throughout the nations of the world escalating, it is important that we understand completely what the Lord has revealed to us in this verse. The first condition we see comes with the words "if and then." The stipulation is that 'if' believers humble themselves, pray, seek His face and turn from their wicked ways, 'then' He will hear from heaven and He will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 'My people' refers to Israel, and the church, or believers (1 Peter 2: 9,10). 'Humble' means to bring low, have humility which is associated with repentance and submission to God's will.
Using the Hebrew meanings, we could read this verse in this way, "IF My Church brings themselves low, lives in humility, turns from their sin in repentance, submits to My will, acknowledges My sovereignty and seeks My presence, favor and intervention, THEN I promise to hear them, forgive their sin, restore them to right relationship with Myself and restore or heal their land physically and spiritually! Believers, intercede for your nation!
We are to intercede for workers to be sent by God to spread the gospel and make disciples. (Matthew 9:37,38). God is the Lord of the harvest. (spiritual harvest of souls). He has authority and control over the growth and gathering of believers.
As we stated earlier, intercession can be voiced by the Holy Spirit through believers. Believers have very emphatically been instructed to pray in the Spirit. Let's look at Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) "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" Our prayers should always be guided by the Holy Spirit and aligned with the Holy Spirit's will. We need to rely on the Holy Spirit for direction and empowerment. All prayer includes those prayers which would cover all aspects of our life and needs. Notice that we are to be vigilant to recognize "spiritual battles and the needs of others." (Bible Hub Study Bible). Then the phrase 'with all perseverance,' "is a call to steadfastness and endurance - even when answers are delayed or challenges arise," (Bible Hub Study Bible).
In the last days, scoffers who are without the Holy Spirit will follow their own ungodly passions and cause divisions. We are instructed to build ourselves up in our faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20). Each one of us must take an active role in nurturing our own spiritual life. Through reading the Bible and prayer, we build and maintain a strong spiritual foundation.
One way we 'pray in the Spirit' is through the gift of speaking in tongues. Paul taught that "One who speaks in a tongue (not a naturally acquired language) does not speak to men, but to God, no one (man) understands; he utters mysteries to God." (1 Corinthians 14:2).
When we pray in a tongue, our spirit prays to God. (in either intercession or worship). Paul also taught that if he prayed in a tongue, his spirit prays, but his mind (understanding) is unfruitful. (1 Corinthians 14:14). In verse 15, Paul asked, "what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind, I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind."
Romans 8:26 reveals that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. When we do not know how to pray, the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with wordless groans too deep for words. (Intercedes means: makes petition for; pleads; Intercession in the Greek, huperentugchano describes the Spirit's in-depth intercession on behalf of the saints. "The verb's intensified form underscores that His advocacy rises above and beyond ordinary petition." ( Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
You see, God hears more than we can say and by His Spirit insures that every hardship, heartbreak, struggle, encounter, circumstance and situation we face in our lives is covered by prayer that perfectly lines up with the heart and will of the Father - even when we find ourselves with no words. What an amazing gift!
"The Spirit does not replace believer-prayer; He perfects it. While human weakness stumbles, the Spirit prays infallibly in harmony with divine purpose. The verb underscores that these petitions rise from within the believer yet reach the throne undistorted." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon).
"When we find ourselves distraught and weak - that weakness in us invites and not hinders God's help for us. For every believer, the Holy Spirit hears every sigh, or cry, sees every tear and feels with us our heartbreak. Then He brings our need before the Father so that we are ministered to by His perfect will, desire and love." (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). What an amazing love!
The Word of God is absolute Truth, therefore, as a believer, we have absolute assurance that our God will respond to all of our distress. "Jesus intercedes at the Father's right hand for us and the Spirit intercedes within us. (Romans 8:34; Romans 6:27).
To recap, we have been instructed, as believers, in the Word of God to intercede or make intercession for all men, kings, all in authority, your nation, workers to be sent to spread the gospel and make disciples, and for our own spiritual life.
Added good news is that “Christ Jesus, who died, and more than that was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34 NIV ; Hebrews 7:25 NLT). Calvary accomplished atonement; the Resurrection installed a living Advocate. (1 John 2:1 NLT my insertion). Paul joins the past, present and future saving work in one verse.
Because Christ’s intercession is continuous, no accusation can stand. The pastoral outcome is assurance; persecution, distress or death cannot sever believers from the love of God in Christ. Romans 8:33-35”
I encourage us all as believers to intercede for all men, kings, all in authority, your nation, workers to be sent to bring in the harvest to make disciples and for yourself!