Practical Prayer Practices – Tip 5

Intercession – prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another.

Romans 8:26 likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

There are many books written on intercession and prayer. My shelves are filled with them. It seems that there is always something more to discover about prayer and praying for others.

Intercession seems to be a largely fading practice. Our prayers for others are led through request more than at any other time. There are numerous requests that come through social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Social Cross etc) where people respond with a ‘praying’ in the comment section. I sincerely hope that they are or at the very least that they did.

People tend to reach out to God, when there is no earthly help available. He is the last choice on their list when hope is impossible to find. God is so gracious that He responds. What a demonstration of love!

God does hear and supply so wonderfully. He also wants us to have a deeper form of prayer beyond just need driven, knee bent crying. He wants us to hear His mind on matters. He is calling us to search His heart, discovering what He desires.

The power of intercession is realized when our pursuit is more about Him than us!

True intercession puts our own needs aside. It is then that we begin to see that He has taken care of them anyway. We can be so selfish. We all have days when we desire to be fixed or have God ‘show up’ on our doorstep and just ‘tell us what to do’. But that is not intercession. That is a different kind of prayer. That is supplication. Let supplication have its place, but it is not to be mistaken for intercession.

Intercessory prayer for others is a calling each and every person can fulfill. As you move forward in hearing His heart, you find things out you never knew or considered before. Your heart will change. A softness and character will be formed in you as you pray.

Jesus is our living example of intercessory prayer. He prays with all kinds of prayers (Heb 5:7) continuing our behalf. John 17 tells us one of the things Jesus is praying is that we will be kept by His Word. Make a point of receiving those prayers. Stop and hear and pray ‘thank you for the prayers you make for me, let them have their perfect work in my life’.

When someone’s name comes to your mind, stop, intercede for them. Hear what the Holy Spirit is saying over them. Agree with it. Sometimes, you may not know the name or have an interpretation of what you have prayed (if you are praying in other tongues) but trust that you have been led and directed. Trust those prayers were heard and have a work. Trust that entreaty was made on someone’s behalf.

The most important part of intercession is faith in what you have prayed.

Stand on it. Believe it. Don’t over analyze it. And Continue!!

Hebrews 7:24 But this man, Jesus, because he continues ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.