Prayer Lab 4--Intercession

prayer requests:

Jamison, doing well

Susan, brother Philip in hospital

Ruth, son heart attack difficulty

Pat Grimm, praise

Debra, Bradley health

Nan, jerry Haley fell Peggy

Does prayer change things? That’s where I want to start because the answer to this question is exceedingly important for the believer. If we do not believe that prayer changes anything, that whatever happens will happen, then we are fatalists without hope of change. If we believe that our prayers are the determining factor in change in the world, then we misunderstand the sovereignty of God and run the risk of seeing ourselves as those with power to change.

I ask that question related to intercessory prayer because intercessory prayer is grounded with the hope that our prayers might be effective to make change through God in this world.

James 5:16 “16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” We looked at that verse last week, but we also see here that the prayers of a righteous person have great power! So there is something effective about our prayers.

Intercession is standing in the gap between God and others, advocating on their behalf toward God. When we intercede we take the needs, the burdens, the petitions of others and we bring them to God.

What are some instances of intercession in scripture? Think of Genesis 19 in which Abraham intercedes on behalf of Sodom. Does his intercession affect change? It seems as though God is willing to change, but that outcome was the same. What of Exodus 32 when the Israelites make for themselves a golden calf, God is ready to destroy the people, but Moses stands in the cap, mediates between Israel and God. And God, seemingly changes His mind. But if you were here when we studied that together, what did we see in that passage? It seemed more likely a test of Moses’ heart and leadership than an opportunity for God to change His mind.

This is why intercessory prayer matters because it moves us beyond self-focus and moves us into alignment with God’s will and God’s heart for other people!

Of course we know that Jesus is our ultimate intercessory. Hebrews 7:25 “25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

Romans 8:34 “34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.”

Jesus’ ongoing ministry even now is intercession on our behalf as a mediator!

And the Holy Spirit aides us in our intercession for others. Romans 8:26–27 “26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

What are the characteristics we see in scripture of intercessory prayer?

Boldness with humility! This is the model of Abraham and Moses.

Persistence! This is the model we see in the parables of Jesus, the parable of the persistent widow, right.

We see prayers that show a concern for nations and whole peoples. Not merely individuals.

And in the apostle Paul we have great examples of distinctly Christian intercession.

I’m going to give you all today’s handouts and I want you to go the side with the two passages.

Ephesians 3:14-21, this is a great example of Paul’s intercessory prayer. Someone read it and I want you to observe, what is Paul praying for for others?

OBSERVATIONS: focuses on spiritual needs over material needs (though, I will say here, that James talks about prayers for healing with intercession, there’s no reason we can’t do both). He prayers for their spiritual strength and for their relationship with God.

I would also say this: Paul is praying that Gospel of Jesus, the good news of our salvation would more fully come to bear on someone’s life.

Now look at Colossians 1:9-14

Observations: I see a constancy in Paul’s prayers, we have not ceased!

Intercession then is an ongoing discipline. I admit, this is hard!

And who does Paul pray for? He prays for churches, for individuals, for his enemies, even for his persecutors. He tells us to pray for governing authorities.

Some guidelines for us:

Intercessory prayer changes us, it’s a means by which God grows our hearts for others. It’s hard to be praying for someone regularly and continue on hating them!

It’s also difficult to intercede for people we don’t know. Though, of course, this is possible. But intercession should also come out of relationship. Paul had relationships with the churches he prayed for. But he was also sensitive to their needs. He heard from them and prayed for specific needs.

And we don’t know the will of God. We pray intercessory prayer with humility!

VI. Common Obstacles to Intercession (3 minutes)

A. Self-Centeredness

Our natural tendency is to focus on our own needs

Intercession requires intentional shift outward

B. Lack of Faith

Doubting that our prayers actually make a difference

Remember: God seeks intercessors and responds to them

C. Busyness

Intercession feels less urgent than other activities

Schedule it like any other important commitment

D. Discouragement

Not seeing immediate results

Remember that spiritual growth often happens slowly and invisibly

A couple of other guidelines:

Pray in concentric circles

Trust the spirit to fill in the gaps, bring them in your heart to God.

Practical Tools:

Keep an intercession list or journal

Set aside specific times for intercession

Pray through Paul's prayers for others

Join with others in intercessory prayer groups

Practice together.