THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERCESSION

 By Jemima Rayan

Intercession is standing in the gap for someone’s need. Intercession is ACTION. It is travailing or agonizing in prayer! Our Lord Jesus is the perfect example.  Our Lord Jesus offered up prayers and supplications with vehement cries and tears (Heb 5:7).  It is so easy to pray for our own selves and for our families. But God wants us to go beyond that. We can read all about intercession and still be in a position where you do not intercede. The word 'intercession' does not have anything to do with knowledge. Unless we take the time sacrificially, we will never be able to intercede.

What to intercede for?

Many do not know what to intercede for.  There was a time when I used to wonder what to pray for.  The Lord spoke to me through His word that we are called to pray for the Nations. God wants us to intercede for all people.  Every nation, every tongue, every tribe should come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  As God’s children, He wants to see us busy praying and interceding for everyone.  The modern day church has become so complacent in the area of prayer.  We do not see fasting and prayer appearing in our calendars anymore.

Is 56:7 says, “…My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.

Jesus said in Mt 21:13, “…My house shall be called a house of prayer.”

Who is an intercessor?

Intercessor is the unseen warrior who fights the battle in the background, on behalf of the people. The liberty that we enjoy as a Nation is the result of the shed blood of the soldiers of war. We cannot get back what the enemy has stolen without fight him.

Jesus said 'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted' (Matt 5:4). He is talking about the mourning of an intercessor. Weeping might endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning (Ps 30:5) The Psalmist is talking about the blessedness of answered prayer.

Need for intercessors:

There is always a desperate need for intercessors. God is looking for people who will go before God and reach out for His mercy and compassion. That will prevent His wrath and Judgment upon the people.

Ezekiel 22:30 says, “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found no one.”

No other passage in the scripture more accurately describes the work of an intercessor more accurately than the above one.  The intercessor always comes before God on behalf of others.

If you are wondering if you are one of those who have been called to intercede, then you probably are! Only an intercessor will know what that mourning and what that comfort is. He is calling you to lay down your life for others through prayer. Spend some time on your knees today! To pray through means to break through the barrier which has stopped the work of God in the lives of people.

Intercessors are warriors:

The intercessors are armed. God has given them His armor and the weapons are strong to the pulling down of strongholds. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Cor 10:3-6). We do not wrestle against flesh and blood (Eph 6:12,13). The word wrestling and weapons clearly describe a fight. This fight is called warfare and the intercessors are the ones who are in the place of a warrior.

God is counting on His people who will go for war. If you have noticed the soldiers who go for war, they have stepped out of their comfort zones. They just fix their eyes on the target and fight the battle. In the same way, the body of Christ should come out of the comfort zone to fight. We cannot afford to sleep in our cozy beds when the enemy is devising his wicked plans taking his toll. We need to destroy the evil plan in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Intercessors get revelation:

The Lord does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7) The Lord wants to trust us with His secrets. He speaks through prophetic visions, dreams and inward witness to see the dangers that are coming against the family, Church, City and Nation. The Bible declares... he sees the sword coming against the land and blows the trumpet to warn people (Eze 33:2-3). God gives the intercessor the ability to look into the future and take necessary action.

God is letting His people know everywhere about the things to come. The reason behind revealing His plans to His children is that they may pray. On one hand the prayer of an intercessor cancels the wicked plans of the enemy. On the other hand, it brings to pass all the good plans that God has in store. The prayer will stop the devil in his tracks. It unleashes the mercy of God on that situation. In my own life, I have seen what one prayer can do in the enemy's camp. It brings confusion in the enemy's camp!

Intercessors plead for God's mercy:

Abraham  pleaded with God not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18:23-33). Intercessors don't have a heart of hatred even for wicked people. They always plead for God's compassion.

Moses interceded when the children of Israel committed the great sin of idolatry. He prayed that God would forgive them; if not he asked God to blot him out of God's book (Ex 32:32). That is intercession!

Jeremiah prayed Oh! That my head were waters, And my eyes a fountain of tears, That I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! That is the love Jeremiah had for his people.

Do you have love for your people who are lost and perishing! Our God's heart goes out for the people who are lost in sin. Jonah did not have a heart to rejoice over the salvation of the people of Nineveh. God said, "Should I not pity Nineveh". Will you plead for the people who are dying in sin?

How to intercede?

Find out what are the Scripture portions that talk about that particular need.  We need to find out God’s will for that need before you start praying. Before interceding, get into the presence of the Lord.  Ask the Lord to fill you with His glory.  Then, take the word of God and pray.  Do not put your mouth to the problem but put your mouth to the Word of God that has the power to change the situation. Continue to do that till you see the change. Never lose heart. Luke 18:7 says, “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him though He bears long with them?”

May the Lord see a house of prayer in us in Jesus’ name. Amen.