Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer (Theme 8611)

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8.

It’s a new year, and I am all the more determined to see God’s house become a House of Prayer, that we might SEE the power of God through the power of prayer.

Praying for others

Believers should pray, not only for their own needs, but for those of others. Scripture provides many examples of intercession and commends it as pleasing to God.

Believers must value others

Philippians 2:1-8

I’ve preached on Philippians 2 before, but it was in regards to God becoming man, but the true teaching is about man becoming like Christ

Looking first at what Christ was like, 2:6-8:

· Equal to God

· Of no reputation

· Became a servant

· Humbles Himself to die for others, being equal to God

How should we respond to that? By having the same mind as Christ –

· Becoming servants, not because we are equal to God but rather because we are called to be like Christ.

· Philippians 2:1-5

o And, not esteeming ourselves better than someone else.

One of the ways we can be like Christ and be servants all at the same time is by praying for others. Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1 “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”

Examples of praying for others

· Moses prays for the Israelites

o Dt 9:18-19For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure, wherewith the LORD was wroth against you to destroy you. But the LORD hearkened unto me at that time also.

· Samuel prays for Israel

o 1Sa 7:5 And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

§ That was for deliverance from the Philistines.

· Job prays for his friends

o Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends:

· Certainly, we understand that there are many other examples in the Bible

Jesus Christ intercedes for believers

· Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

· Hebrews 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.

o Christ, the ultimate intercessor.

The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers

· Romans 8:26-27 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.

The patriarch interceded, Jesus intercedes, the Holy Spirit intercedes, what do you suppose we ought to be doing?

As Christians, we ought to intercede for one another:

1. Christians are to pray for their enemies

· Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for themwhich despitefully use you, and persecute you;

· See also Lk 6:28; 23:34; Ac 7:60

2. Christians are to pray for one another

· Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

· See also 1Th 5:25; Phm 22; Heb 13:18-19; Jas 5:14-16; 1Jn 5:16

3. Christians are to pray for rulers

· 1Titus 2:1-2 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

4. Examples of pleas made to Jesus Christ on behalf of others

· Matthew8:5-13 – the centurion pleading for his servant

o Lk 7:1-10

· Matthew15:21-28 – A lady pleading for her daughter

o Mk 7:24-30

· Matthew17:14-20 – A father pleading for his son

o Mk 9:14-29 / Lk 9:37-42

5. Examples of notable prayers of intercession

· 2 Kings 19:14-19 Hezekiah for deliverance;

· Ezra 8:21-23 Ezra for a safe journey;

· Daniel 9:1-19 Daniel for Jerusalem;

· John 17:6-26 Jesus Christ for his disciples

I understand that many of you are already interceding for someone – some of you may be interceding for several people – WONDERFUL! Let this message be a reminder to continue on, faithfully praying.

For the rest of you, let this message be the catalyst that drives you to your knees for the cause of someone other than yourself. (Nothing wrong with praying for yourself. In fact, there are times when you need to be the focus of your prayers.) There should also be a time of intercession on someone’s behalf.

As a Church body, WE are called to intercede for this church, the people, and the community.

Let’s strive – through prayer – to see 2022 become a year of salvations for the lost in our families and communities.

I’ll close with the words of Spurgeon: (from January 2)

“Continue in prayer.”

—Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to remark how large a portion of Sacred Writ is occupied with the subject of prayer, either in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises. We scarcely open the Bible before we read, “Then began men to call upon the name of the Lord;” and just as we are about to close the volume, the “Amen” of an earnest supplication meets our ear.

Instances are plentiful. Here we find a wrestling Jacob—there a Daniel who prayed three times a day—and a David who with all his heart called upon his God. On the mountain we see Elias; in the dungeon Paul and Silas. We have multitudes of commands, and myriads of promises. What does this teach us, but the sacred importance and necessity of prayer?

We may be certain that whatever God has made prominent in his Word, he intended to be conspicuous in our lives. If he has said much about prayer, it is because he knows we have much need of it. So deep are our necessities, that until we are in heaven we must not cease to pray.

Dost thou want nothing? Then, I fear thou dost not know thy poverty.

Hast thou no mercy to ask of God? Then, may the Lord’s mercy show thee thy misery!

A prayerless soul is a Christless soul. Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the [funeral] requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus. It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honour of a Christian.

If thou be a child of God, thou wilt seek thy Father’s face, and live in thy Father’s love.

Pray that this year thou mayst be holy, humble, zealous, and patient; have closer communion with Christ, and enter oftener into the banqueting-house of his love. Pray that thou mayst be an example and a blessing unto others, and that thou mayst live more to the glory of thy Master. The motto for this year must be, “Continue in prayer.” To which I would add – Be An Intercessor!

Spurgeon, C. H. (1896). Morning and evening: Daily readings. London: Passmore & Alabaster.