What is it ?
Merriam - Webster defines it this way
Main Entry: in·ter·ces·sion
Pronunciation: \ˌin-tər-'se-shən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intercession-, intercessio, from intercedere
Date: 15th century
1 : the act of interceding2 : prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
Intercession is not just praying for someone else's needs. It is praying believing that God would step in and intervene on the behalf of some specific other person or circumstance.
Main Entry: in·ter·ces·sion
Pronunciation: \ˌin-tər-'se-shən\
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin intercession-, intercessio, from intercedere
Date: 15th century
1 : the act of interceding2 : prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another
Intercession is not just praying for someone else's needs. It is praying believing that God would step in and intervene on the behalf of some specific other person or circumstance.
It is trusting and believing that God will act, even if it's not in the manner or timing we seek. God wants us to ask, even urgently. It is casting our limitations before God's power.
INTERCESSION IN THE BIBLE- Old Testament
Abraham interceded for his neighbors in Sodom.
Moses interceded for the Hebrew people.
Habakkuk asks God to act against injustice
Isaiah prayed with King Hezekiah to save Israel from destruction at the hand of the Assyrians.
Nehemiah petitioned God regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem
Abraham interceded for his neighbors in Sodom.
Moses interceded for the Hebrew people.
Habakkuk asks God to act against injustice
Isaiah prayed with King Hezekiah to save Israel from destruction at the hand of the Assyrians.
Nehemiah petitioned God regarding the rebuilding of Jerusalem
INTERCESSION IN THE BIBLE- New Testament
Jesus was the most excellent example of an intercessor. He interceded in prayer that for His followers.
Stephen interceded on behalf of those that martyred him .
Apostle Paul prayed continually for the early church
Epaphras wrestled in prayer for the Church in Colossae .
Contrary to some teaching I recently have heard, indicating that it was almost offensive to God for us to “labor” or “travail” in prayer. The old timers and the early church understood "laboring" in prayer. What has happened to us. We want a faith-filled, drive-thru, answer by the time I get to the window prayer life.
The early church was a praying church :
They prayed for travel mercies.
They prayed that people might come to Christ through their witness
They prayed for healing and health .
They prayed for wisdom
They prayed spiritual growth
They prayed. They prayed for others and not just themselves.
They prayed for their political leaders , even the ones that wanted to kill them.
Lord Jesus, that we would find a place of prayer. That we would in our private time with God be yielding to His Spirit .
The Spirit leads us to pray . When we allow the love of God to move upon our heart and spirit we just may find our prayer time becoming a time of intercession.
Asking God to strengthen, heal, save, protect, or bless someone other than ourselves.
Bearing each other's burden's
The more times we come before God in surrender in prayer the more we become “seasoned ” in prayer. God still hears, and answers.
Hugs & Prayers, GG
7 comments:
Grammy, what a good word! Amazing things begin to happen when we pray for others and not ourselves. Thank you for this much needed reminder to pray for others!
GG...what a beautiful post...and amen!
When we learn to put our own needs aside and pray for others needs first, the Lord intercedes on our behalf and blesses us abundantly.
Thanks for such a wonderful reminder to always put the needs of others first in our prayer life.
Hugs
God is always, always faithful and answers prayers. We were reminded of that today!
I pray. I believe He will answer but in His way, in His time.
Thank you for this lovely post and the continued prayers for my husband's job.
As an intercessor who is sometimes waken during the night to stand in the gap - I appreciate this beautifully written blog!!!
Thank you.
Very well spoken, my sister and friend. (((hugs)))
You know ladies, It is of great comfort for me to know that others may be taking my needs before God. And for my sisters that are praying for me and my family. You know what it means to me personally.
In our own private time with the Lord, if we are sensitive to God’s voice through the Spirit, and if the love of God is in our hearts, we will care about the needs of other’s and our love for them will take us before the throne of God.
You know we are never really praying alone, the Holy Spirit is always right there with us. Encouraging us to petition God to strengthen, heal, defend, change, or bless them. He often wakes me too , in the wee hours of the watch to prayer.
another Thanks GG...this post was the missing puzzle piece in my own intentions and intercessions with the Lord. It reminded me that it's more about how we pray and less about what we pray...and the quiet we must create in our prayer time to hear His responses, no matter how hard the lesson may be.
Hugs and God bless.
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