Intercessory Prayer
Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him..
Intercessory prayer is stepping up and praying for or on behalf of others. There are many examples throughout the Bible of individuals praying to God for people, circumstances and situations. In the Old Testament we see Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Jesus is our perfect example in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor. Now because of Jesus’s sacrifice, all Christians who pray have become intercessors because our prayers are offered to God through Christ. Because Jesus is interceding for us, we can now intercede in prayer asking God to grant their requests according to His will.
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Tim 2:5).
“Who is he that condemns? 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” (Rom 8:34).
In our opening scripture we see the state of Israel. Not only was the state of God’s people bad; but no one among them took the lead in getting it right. Where was the man who would lead the people in righteousness? He could not be found. Where was the intercessor who would plead God’s case to the people, and the people’s repentance to their God? The Chaldee renders it, ‘There was no man who could stand and pray for them.’ (Albert Barnes Commentary)
It truly is a sad state when everyone throws up their hands and gives up. Chapter 59 is one of the most powerful and revealing chapters in the Bible. He tells us in the opening scripture that God’s hand is not short and His ear is not deaf. Isaiah goes on to say in verse 19 “ when the enemy comes in like a flood God will raise a wall of protection.” If we look in the Book of Daniel Ch 9, we find the elements of true intercessory prayer. It is: a response to the Word (v. 2), pray with fervency (v. 3), self-sacrifice (v. (v. 4), confession (v.4-6), acknowledging God’s character (vv. 4, 7, 9, 15) and the goal is God’s glory (vv. 16-19).
Like Daniel, Christians are to come to God on behalf of others in a heartbroken and repentant attitude, recognizing their own unworthiness and with a sense of self-denial. Daniel does not say, “I have a right to demand this out of You, God, because I am one of your special, chosen intercessors.” He says, “I’m a sinner,” and, in effect, “I do not have a right to demand anything.”
True intercessory prayer seeks not only to know God’s will and see it fulfilled, but to see it fulfilled whether or not it benefits us and regardless of what it costs us. True intercessory prayer seeks God’s glory, not our own. The Bible shows that all Christians are called to be intercessors. We are called to intercede for one another. This is not a privilege limited to special anointed Christiana; this is the command to all. The prophet Samuel says not to intercede for others is sin.(1 Sam 12:23).
Rom 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.(27) And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
God calls all Christians to be intercessors. It is God’s desire that every believer be active in intercessory prayer. What a wonderful and exalted privilege we have in being able to come boldly before the throne of Almighty God with our prayers and requests!
Php 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
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