Intercessor is kind of a big word that I just skipped on by not thinking I would ever need to know about it. I thought it was something only a few folks were “called” to do.
But then a dear friend of mine who moved far away with his wife to be close to their kids and granddaughter shared something with me that brought me around to check further into this subject.
His wife’s dementia has been increasing and he is struggling. He shared that he reached out to their pastor’s wife who, when she prays for them, sends him the text of the prayer. Great idea, by the way.
What she shared with him was so comforting that he sent it along to me. I thought about how many times I have been asked to pray for someone in need – or have learned of their need and decided to pray for them.
And here came that word, from my favorite devotional book by Henry Blackaby, intercessor. He says God is looking for intercessors. Blackaby defined them as people who have hearts in tune with God’s heart. And he brought me up short when he said “you do not volunteer to be an intercessor. God enlists you.”
Back to checking other sources, I found that intercessory prayer is sometimes called “standing in the gap” or essentially lifting up the needs and concerns of others to God. It is an expression of agape, or selfless, love.
We can look to Jesus to see this working – he prayed for his followers during His life on earth and he continues to petition before the Father on our behalf. Check the scripture. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us”. Romans 8:34
So what is the difference between ordinary prayer and intercessory prayer? I have heard people use the words “prayer” and “intercession” interchangeably. And they have lots in common, according to one source. But they described it this way: prayer, simply put, is talking to God and it grows our understanding and strengthens our relationship with Him. But intercession happens when we reach beyond ourselves and our needs, feel a burden for someone else, and we bring that to the Lord, stand on their behalf and seek His Will for their lives.
Scripture clearly shows the power of intercessory prayer – righteous people turned to the Lord on behalf of people, cities, and even whole nations:
- In Genesis 18, Abraham heard about the Lord’s plan to destroy the city of Sodom, and immediately lifted up a heartfelt petition for any believers there.
- Moses faced the anger of God against the Israelites because of their lack of faith and boldly asked for the Lord’s mercy.
- The prophet Samuel dealt with both a king and a people who had strayed from God. But he stayed faithful to pray for them, hoping for their repentance.
- The apostle Paul often asked for prayers from the churches he planted and visited and shared how effective it was in his ministry. Philippians 1:19, Ephesians 6:19-20
- One of my favorites was the Lord’s direction to Job (Job 42:8) “My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.”
So, let’s face it, we are all intercessors at times. If you are like me, I at times struggle with how best to pray for someone who has either requested it or has come to my attention as one who needs prayer.
So let’s get to the practical help I found. Both in my friend’s shared prayer and from Blackaby.
First, Blackaby suggests we follow scripture, particularly Paul who asked on behalf of Timothy the following: “To Timothy, my true son in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.” 1 Timothy 1:2
As Blackaby points out, Paul often asked for specific gifts from God for those He cared about (think about our own families and friends), but note how Blackaby explains his request for “grace, mercy and peace”.
Grace – unearned gift from the Father, bestowed on His children. His grace provided salvation though we deserved destruction (Ephesians 2:8). His grace brings us good things every day. (1 Timothy 1:14)
Mercy – God withholding the punishment we deserve because of our sinfulness – and He is long-suffering in that he delays our just punishment in order for us to have every opportunity to repent and receive His gift of salvation. (2 Peter 3:9)
Peace – the state of mind and heart we experience when we are confident of God’s grace and mercy toward us. And when we know God’s grace will sustain us, even in our most difficult crises. (Philemon 4:7) God assures us that even when we fail miserably in our commitments to Him, He will show mercy upon us and this gives us peace.
I love Blackaby’s summary statement (and will keep it in mind as I am called to pray for others): “There could be no better request than asking the Lord to give them an abundance of His grace, His mercy, and His peace.”
Back to my friend. He asked the pastor’s wife what she prayed for her own mom who had dementia for many years. Her reply could be fashioned to fit any situation (just as the above summary): “Peace of mind. Philemon 4:6-7. That she would not be anxious and that God will guard her heart and mind with His peace….also claim Romans 8:35-39. Nothing – not the deterioration of her mind and memory – can separate her from Jesus. She has the Spirit alive and well in her. I pray that she know deep down His presence with her.”
Hope these great prayer suggestions are as helpful to you as they were to me. I won’t flinch at that word “intercessor” again, or think it doesn’t apply to me, but I will be more confident in how I can respond.
