Intercessory Prayer
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· 10 viewsChrist is our intercessor. He is also our example. Christ prayed a lot. He also spent a lot of time in intercessory pray. Today we investigate the intercessory prayers of Christ.
Notes
Transcript
This is end
10 days of prayer.
Also Communion.
What similarity does
sacrifice of Christ
prayer have?
Christ died for us.
WE deserved to die
He intervened
to save us.
We call that intercession.
A lady once took her children to a restaurant. Her six-year-old son asked if he could say grace. As he bowed his head he said, “God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!”
Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, a woman remarked, “That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”
Hearing this, the boy burst into tears and asked asked his mother, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”
As she held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table. He winked at the boy and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”
“Really?” the boy asked.
“Cross my heart,” the man replied.
Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”
The mother bought her kids ice cream at the end of the meal. Her son stared at his for a moment, and then did something unusual. He picked up his ice cream and walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.”
Intercession...
Interestingly,
there is a type of prayer
called intercessory prayer.
It is interesting that
we call it that.
Paul, in his letter
to Timothy says:
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
There is one mediator.
Christ is the One.
Yet, he shares privilege
to intercede
by intercessory prayer!
The act of engaging
in intercessory prayer
is mimicking Christ.
because he is
The Great Intercessor.
In this action,
Christ is sharing
His ministry with us.
In fact,
let’s take a quick look
at Christ prayers
for others.
Children
Children
In Matt 19
Jesus prays for
the children:
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.
Jesus is praying for
interceding for
a blessing for Children.
Praying for Enemies
Praying for Enemies
During sermon on mount
Jesus instructs about
type of intercessory prayer:
But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Of all intercession
Jesus speaks of
praying for enemies.
What better way
to make friends
out of enemies.
Last Supper
Last Supper
During the final hours
Christ had with
His disciples He
spent much
in prayer
talking about prayer.
Jesus prayed for
all of His disciples
the 12
and us.
What was most
on His heart
to pray for us?
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,
Among Christ’s
most important
intercessory prayers
for His disciples.
PRAYER FOR HOLY SPIRIT...
Jesus knew
trials just ahead.
persecution
mission work
Division.
Greatest need
for them
and us:
HOLY SPIRIT.
In same discussion
Jesus begins to pray.
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you,
...
Most of Chap 17
long prayer of Jesus
for disciples
(and us).
I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
Jesus is praying
for His 12.
He prays that
the Father may
preserve
protect
sanctify
the 11.
But not only them:
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
Jesus is
praying for us:
that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Primarily prays
for unity in
the body of believers.
He goes on:
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
Secondly,
He prays that
we may see
Christ’s glory.
I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Lastly He prays
that the love of God
my fill us.
When We Intercede
When We Intercede
When we think about
those things that
Jesus prayed for
His disciples on
that final evening
before crucifixion
we learn what
we need to intercede about
most importantly.
Christ prayed for:
Infilling of Holy Spirit
Preserve and Protect
Unity
May See Christ In a New Way
Love of God In Their Heart
Christ did not pray for:
Physical Health
Long Life
Financial Well-being
Job Opportunities
Clothing, Gas, Food, Housing
What College to Attend
Who to Marry
Why do I feel
90% of intercessory prayer
for wrong topics:
Temporal Well-being...
If we can learn
to pray like Jesus
we will pray
(intercede)
less and less for temporal
more and more for spiritual.
The story is told about two wives who were doing their laundry in a laundry mat. They were both mending their husband’s pants.
One wife said, “My husband is so miserable. Nothing goes right at work, and he can’t find anything good on television. Our home is a place of despair. When we go to church, the song leader is terrible and the pastor is an idiot.
The other wife said “My husband is so excited.” He can’t wait to go to church. He loves the sermons. We laugh all the time and enjoy our family.
It got very quiet in the laundry room as the women continued sewing the pants. One was patching the seat of the pants, and the other was patching the knees.
Source: Unknown
Let me give
another example of
prayers of Jesus.
During same discussion
in the upper room
during 1st Communion.
Peter was bragging about
how He would
do anything for Jesus.
Jesus was trying
to explain how
he would fail
But it would not
be end of relationship.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Once again,
Jesus did not
pray for temporal well-being.
Jesus is praying
not just that Peter would
not fall that night...
Because Jesus knew he would.
Jesus is praying
that he not fall eternally!
Christ is praying
for his eternal life!
The new army recruit was given guard duty at 2 a.m. He did his best for a while, but at about 4 a.m. he went to sleep. He awakened to find the officer of the day standing before him. Remembering the heavy penalty for being asleep on guard duty, this smart young man kept his head bowed for another moment then looked upward and said, “A-a-a-men!”
Source: Unknown
When they leave upper room.
They go to the Garden
for......
you guessed it...
more prayer!!!
When they arrive,
Jesus makes a request
of disciples:
And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
Jesus’ request was simple.
Don’t sleep.
Stay up and pray.
Pray for Jesus.
Pray for themselves.
Of course,
we remember the story.
They fail to stay awake.
They don’t pray.
They DO enter
into temptation.
Now I know that,
none of you ever struggle with
giving in to temptation...
(joking of course)...
Jesus is clear,
prayer is one of the keys
that empowers us to stand.
Max and Cristen
The story is told about an old farm couple who were driving along in their pickup when the wife said, “We never sit all snuggled up in the truck like we used to.” The husband looked at her and said, “I haven't moved.”
Christ’s ministry
was bathed in prayer.
On last day,
focused much on prayer.
Jesus
prayed for them
prayed for us
instructed them to pray.
taught them about need for prayer.
Nonetheless,
day ended with
Jesus praying more.
Disciples sleeping
- not praying.
Christ is looking for
disciples that will
seek prayer.
intercessory prayer.
If we will be like Christ.
We will pray more
Intercede more.
Focus on spiritual intercession.
What various hindrances we meet
In coming to a mercy seat!
Yet who that knows the worth of prayer,
But wishes to be often there?
Prayer makes the darken’d cloud withdraw,
Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw,
Gives exercise to faith and love,
Brings every blessing from above.
Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;
Prayer makes the Christian’s armour bright;
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.
While Moses stood with arms spread wide,
Success was found on Israel’s side;
But when through weariness they fail’d,
That moment Amalek prevail’d.
Have you no words? Ah, think again,
Words flow apace when you complain,
And fill your fellow-creature’s ear
With the sad tale of all your care.
Were half the breath thus vainly spent
To Heaven in supplication sent,
Your cheerful song would oftener be,
“Hear what the Lord has done for me. ”
—William Cowper
Appeal
Appeal
Communion
time to think about
Christ as our intercessor.
Beautiful theme
fills the soul.
As we are filled
we want to be like Him.
We can become
an intercessor
through prayer!
I challenge
each of us
study Christ’s intercession
then mimic it
through prayer.
