Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer - What is it?

Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another's case. One study Bible defines intercession as "holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention."

Intercessory Prayer - The Biblical Foundation

The Biblical basis for the New Testament believer's ministry of intercessory prayer is our calling as priests unto God. The Word of God declares that we are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:4), a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:8), and a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:5).

The background for understanding this calling to priestly intercession is found in the Old Testament example of the Levitical priesthood. The priest's responsibility was to stand before and between. He stood before God to minister to Him with sacrifices and offerings. The priests also stood between a righteous God and sinful man bringing them together at the place of the blood sacrifice.

Hebrews 7:11-19 explains the difference between the Old and New Testament ministries of the priest. The Old Testament Levitical priesthood was passed on from generation to generation through the descendants of the tribe of Levi. "The Melchizedek priesthood" spoken of in this passage, is the "new order" of spiritual priests of whom the Lord Jesus is the High Priest. It is passed on to us through His blood and our spiritual birth as new creatures in Christ.

Intercessory Prayer - Our Model Intercessor

Jesus Christ is our model for intercessory prayer. Jesus stands before God and between Him and sinful man, just as the Old Testament priests did: For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus brings sinful man and a righteous God together at the place of the blood sacrifice for sin. No longer is the blood of animals necessary as it was in the Old Testament. We can now approach God on the basis of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can approach God boldly without timidity (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jesus was an intercessor while He was here on earth. He prayed for those who were sick and possessed by demons. He prayed for His disciples. He even prayed for you and me when He interceded for all those who would believe on Him. Jesus continued His ministry of intercession after His death and resurrection when He returned to Heaven. He now serves as our intercessor in Heaven.

Intercessory Prayer - Effective Intercession

In intercessory prayer, we follow the Old Testament priestly function and the New Testament pattern of Jesus - standing before God and between a righteous God and sinful man. In order to be effective standing "between" we must first stand "before" God to develop the intimacy necessary to fulfill this role. Numbers 14 is one of the greatest accounts of intercessory prayer recorded in the Bible. Moses was able to stand between God and sinful man because he had stood "before" Him and had developed intimacy of communication. Numbers 12:8 records that God spoke with Moses as friend to friend and not through visions and dreams as He did with other prophets.

As New Testament believers, we no longer sacrifice animals as in Old Testament times. We stand before the Lord to offer up spiritual sacrifices of praise (Hebrews 13:15) and the sacrifice of our own lives (Romans 12:1). It is on the basis of this intimate relationship with God that we can then stand "between" Him and others, serving as an advocate and intercessor in their behalf.Peter uses two words to describe this priestly ministry: "Holy" and "royal." Holiness is required to stand before the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We are able to do this only on the basis of the righteousness of Christ, not our own righteousness. Royalty is descriptive of the kingly authority that is delegated to us as members of the "royal family," so to speak, with legitimate access to the throne room of God.

Blog: All About Prayer

Before Going to the Father, Jesus Intercedes for us: John 17

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone in all the earth. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life–to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do. And now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have told these men about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me. Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the words you gave me; and they accepted them and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. And all of them, since they are mine, belong to you; and you have given them back to me, so they are my glory! Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them–all those you have given me–so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I have kept them safe. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father–that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so that they may be one, as we are — I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one. Then the world will know that you sent me and will understand that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you’ve given me to be with me, so they can see my glory. You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you. I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them.”

Blog: Intercessory Prayer by Jesus Christ

Bits and Pieces from Prayer Blogs

PRAYER OF FORGIVENSS

Forgiving Others

Their marriage was in turmoil. The wife called to tell me about the trap she had set for her husband, and when he reacted, she had him arrested. They were divorced and his anger and unforgiveness turned to bitterness. This ex-husband who had a heart for God did not escape the presence of the Holy Spirit who convicted and convinced him of sin, righteousness and judgment. Two years later he decided to forgive his ex-wife and let go of the past. A sense of peace filled his soul as the unforgiveness and bitterness drained away. Although he has never remarried, he is always happy and always speaks of others with kindness. This man of great valor is able to talk with his ex-wife without malice or spite. Forgiving others is a decision, not a feeling. If you decided to forgive, but the feelings and thoughts persist ask the Holy Spirit to uncover the origin of your feelings/thoughts of unforgiveness. Just as God helped this ex-husband he will help you analyze and resolve your feelings/thoughts of unforgiveness until you are filled with Light.

PRAYER:

Father, I thank you for choosing me before the foundation of the world. I receive your Word that says that I am holy and without blame. As your dear beloved child, I clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. I bear with others and forgive whatever grievances I may have against them. I forgive as the Lord forgives me. Over all these virtues, I put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Amen

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:4 Colossians 3:12-15

The daily prayer is written by Germaine Copeland, author of the Prayers That Avail Much family book series.
©2011 Word Ministries, Inc

PRAYER OF FORGIVENESS

HEAVENLY FATHER - I receive from You my complete and utter forgiveness of every sin I have ever committed. I accept that the Blood of Jesus is enough to pay for them. I accept that I am made righteous in Your sight. I declare my intention to forgive others who have sinned against me, and to forgive myself for my sins against others.

I forgive my MOTHER - For the times she told me I was unwanted, a mistake, not what she expected. For not showing her love for me, punishing me too harshly, telling me that I was stupid, ugly, the worst of the children, and that I cost a lot of money. For deserting me.

I forgive my FATHER - For not showing his love for me, not giving me the support I needed at home and at school. For not being a friend to me, being too busy, not spending time with me. For harsh punishment. For working away from home and not being there when I needed him. For quarrelling with my mother, for divorcing her and deserting us. For abusing me - emotionally, physically, sexually. I release myself from the guilt and blame of it. I loose him into that forgiveness. Father God, I ask you to deal with him in your love and mercy.

I forgive my BROTHERS / SISTERS - Who competed for my parents' love and attention. Hurt me physically. Lied about me. Made life difficult for me.

I forgive my HUSBAND / WIFE - For lack of love. Not showing me affection. Taking me for granted. Not giving me time and attention. Lack of communication. Faults, failings, weaknesses that disturb me.

I forgive my CHILDREN - For lack of love and respect. Disobedience. Addiction. Sexual permissiveness. Backsliding.

I forgive my FAMILY - Grandparents. Aunts and uncles. In-laws. Grandchildren.

I forgive FRIENDS - Who have let me down. Lost contact with me. Were not there when I needed them. Borrowed money and didn't return it. Gossiped about me.

I forgive my NEIGHBOURS -For making my life difficult I forgive PEOPLE AT WORK -

Employers - who were unjust - made me redundant -didn't give me the job I wanted.

I forgive TEACHERS - Who were unjust. Who ridiculed me. Who said I was stupid, that I was a failure.

I forgive POLITICIANS / PEOPLE FROM RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS - Who pressurized me. Wanted money from me.

I forgive PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HURT ME IN ANY WAY - Doctors, nurses.

Lawyers, judges, policemen. Civil servants.

Lord, I especially ask that you would help me to forgive the one person in my life: Who hurt me the most. Who is the hardest to forgive. The one that I said I would never forgive.

HOLY SPIRIT SAID "HOPE DEFERRED"

The Holy Spirit spoke and said the words, "Hope Deferred" and I wasn't sure what they meant, so I tried to find scripture for it, which was Proverbs 13:12. I also prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring wisdom and revelation on the meaning of those words. I still wasn't quite sure what He was telling me so I searched for deeper studies on the topic. I found this post from Jehova.net and wanted to share the encouraging words with you. 

Hope deferred (put off or prolonged) is a weariness (a vexation to the mind, an affliction to the soul, a sickness of heart); but when what is desired (that which is prayed for) comes (the answer to prayer that comes - a longing fulfilled), it is a tree of life (a realized source of power, our Savior). Proverbs 13:12 Deferred hopes are unavoidable, in our current crisis and in life. We all must live with dreams that never quite materialize. We all have plans that never get off the ground. If we build our faith in God on the notion that if we serve Him the right way and know the right things to say, we will always get exactly what we want when we want it, our "faith" will not survive. Faith is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It is "he that endures to the end" that will be saved. Endurance is, among other things, about surviving deferred hopes.

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62:5,6

This character produces hope for your future, because you made it this far, & you will continue for I AM with you to teach you. Your hope in Me will never disappoint you. We have discovered our life's meaning -- we know that our lives have a purpose and lasting worth -- all because we have been learning for the last many years to deal with our deferred hopes. So yes, deferred hopes do make our hearts sick. But, over time, how we deal with those deferred hopes seem to have the power to make our souls well. "The word of the Lord tested Joseph until the day appointed for his vision (Joseph's dreams and hopes) to come to pass," the Psalm says. I wonder if Joseph experienced any nights of despair in that prison? Surely he must have! Somehow though, he learned how to make his despair temporary and his hopes permanent. That's how he finally came to fill the place that God had been preparing for him to fill all along. You can do the same. Here are four practical steps you can take every day to build a sure foundation of hope that will carry you through the storms of life: 

1. Submit yourself to God. God is the source of our hope. Come to Him in humility and He will restore you according to His plan to bless and prosper you (1 Peter 5:6-7). 

2. Strengthen your faith. Allow God's previously fulfilled promises to renew your hope. God has given us written record of countless ways He has provided hope for believers in centuries past. Look to these marvelous accounts for renewal (1 Chronicles 16:7-17) .  

3. Trust God's timing. Sometimes God answers our prayers and fulfills our hopes quickly. At other times, for His own divine reasons, He allows us to wait. Remember, it was through faith and patience that Abraham's hope was fulfilled. 

4. Thank God today. Though it's arduous to rejoice as we wait for hopes to be fulfilled, rejoicing enables God to perfect us in ways we are unable to see at the time. And this kind of hope, purified in the crucible of waiting, and sometimes suffering, "does not disappoint" (Romans 5:1-5). As You Pray Have you lost hope? 

You can regain lost hope, with Jesus' help. Right now, turn to the Author of all hope and rest in Him. Make the right sacrifice and trust in Him.... Contend with Him in prayer as Jacob did... God's covenant is for those that have faith in Him as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... and the Scripture says for a thousand generations thereafter..... Selah (think about it) Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life... Proverbs 4:23 

Pray this prayer: "Father, forgive me for not seeing You as You truly are. Please use Your Word to encourage me. Help me to hide it in my heart. Let Your Holy Spirit direct me moment-by-moment as I wait in the hope You have given me through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen." God's Word on Hope "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:29a). Scriptures for Study Hebrews 6:10-19, Romans 5:1-11 -- God's precious promise of hope Job 13:13-16 -- Hopes' perseverance through trials Psalm 33:13-22 -- Right and wrong objects of hope

Our Hope in God's support 2 Chr. 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD run to and for throughout the whole earth, to strongly support those whose hearts are loyal to Him ... Selah (think about it)

Psalm 25:1-11 -- Hope's source of strength

Jehova.net....."Lord of the Net"