The Power of Intercession (Lesson 1)

24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 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. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

I. Prayer should be a priority.

a. Prayer is not an option.

b. Prayer is something that we need to have more of as each day goes by.

c. God desires us to commune with him.

i. One man once said that to be saved you needed to pray at least 3 hours in a day.

ii. I’m not advocating that we won’t be saved if we don’t pray a certain amount. Especially since I do not have any Scripture to back that claim up.

iii. What I do want to stress is that you won’t be saved if you don’t pray.

d. We have been discussing worship over the last several weeks, but I am telling you more than we need worship we need people who love to pray.

i. Door knocking, witnessing, worship, praise, fasting, and Bible Reading all have their place in our walk with God and are necessary pieces of it.

ii. However, we must understand that all those things mean absolutely nothing without prayer in our lives.

iii. God takes notice of those who are intercessors, He marks them and protects them!

Ezekiel 9:4–6 KJV 1900

4 And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. 5 And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: 6 Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house.

II. An intercessor is necessary!

a. Definition of intercede: to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences : MEDIATE

b. Abraham had such a relationship with God that God stopped by to discuss the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Genesis 18:20–21 KJV 1900

20 And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous; 21 I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

i. He was able to negotiate with God for the salvation of Lot’s family.

Genesis 18:23–24 KJV 1900

23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? 24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?

c. Moses also had such a relationship with God, that as God tried to destroy the children of Israel. Moses stood up and reminded God why it would be good to be merciful.

Exodus 32:9–14 KJV 1900

9 And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: 10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. 11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. 14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

d. I have come to help you understand that sometimes we end up deeper into a situation that began to transpire in our lives simply because we refused to turn to Him in prayer sooner rather than later!

i. James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much!

James 5:16–18 KJV 1900

16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

1. To have effectual fervent prayer we must be active or involved prayer! When we do we have much POWER!

2. Consider Elijah when he was facing tribulation, he prayed that it would not rain, and it didn’t. Then he prayed again asking for rain and God sent it. All at the prayer of one single man!

e. Prayer is where we find our strength and boost of faith!

i. When we are facing persecution, we have Him that we can turn to!

1. Consider what Jude said:

Jude 16–21 KJV 1900

16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 how that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

2. Peter was taken captive by King Herod and was intending to be killed by King Herod.

a. But the church decided to go to prayer and when they did Peter was delivered!

Acts 12:1–12 KJV 1900

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

b. Because the effectual fervent prayer of the church the man of God was set free from the bondage of the enemy!

3. When we spend time with God people notice that we have been spending time with the One Who gives us the power to overcome temptation!

Acts 4:13 KJV 1900

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

III. I am calling this church today to a place of prayer like you have never been to before!