Intercessor

Entering Into God’s Presence Knowing God Through His Nature & Character

To Study and Ponder

• *  An intercessor is one who stands in the gap, mediating between parties, speaking to God on behalf of the people (see priest) and speaking to the people on behalf of God (see prophet). The Greek words used for intercede/ intercession mean to meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation; to pray, entreat; make intercession for anyone’ (Online Bible) In English it describes intervening on behalf of another or saying a prayer on behalf of another (Online Dictionary)

• *  Both the Spirit and Jesus are described as intercessors: Romans 8:26-28,33-34. The priest Eli raises a crucial issue, “If someone sins against another person, God can mediate for the guilty party. But if someone sins against the LORD, who can intercede?” (1Sa 2:25). Job presents his need, “I need someone to mediate between God and me” (Job 16:21). Job describes a universal need. Who can meet that need? The answer is found in Heb 7:24-25: “But because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf” (see also Heb 8:6; 9:14-15; 12:24).

• *  The work of an intercessor moves the hand of God to do that which he could not justly do without the agency of that intercession. Eze 22:30-31 describes a tragedy that happened when there was no intercessor. God wanted to show mercy, but had to execute judgement because no one was willing to stand in the gap in intercessory prayer. God said, “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. So now I will pour out my fury on them, consuming them with the fire of my anger. I will heap on their heads the full penalty for all their sins. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!”

• *  John 17 is a record of Jesus’ intercession for his followers on earth, and for “all who will ever believe in me through their message” v.20. He interceded for us! He asks for protection v11,15, that they be filled with joy, v.13, that they will be made holy by the truth v.17, for the oneness that he and the Father have v.21, that they will be ‘in’ the Father and son so the world will believe v.21, that they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. v.23, that they be with him and see the glory God had given him, v.24.

• *  Romans 8:34 gives an awesome picture of Jesus interceding for us right now. “Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading [interceding] for us”

• *  The Holy Spirit also intercedes, helping us pray. Paul writes: And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.Ro.8:26-27 Wecanhaveaconcernforaparticularsituationandfindourselvesprayingwith freedom and fluency that are beyond our normal speaking abilities, sometimes with tears and actual groanings. The Holy Spirit is interceding through us, giving us the heart of Jesus. A person may also start to pray with Holy Spirit insight for a situation that they have little knowledge about.

• *  Note that God’s mediating/intercessory roles not only deal with restoring vertical relationships between God and humans, but also horizontal relationships between human beings. These horizontal reconciliations include not only those between individuals but also between nations. “The LORD will mediate between nations and will settle international disputes. They will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer fight against nation, nor train for war anymore” Isaiah 2:4. (see also Mic 4:3).

• *  Because God is an intercessor, we are called to a lifestyle of intercession too.

  • -  I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. (1Ti 2:1-6).

  • -  Moses intercedes for Israel averting their destruction Ex.32:9-14, Numbers 11:1-2

  • -  We read of how God was appalled to find there was no one to intercede Is.59:16

  • -  We are to pray as Elijah did James 5:17-18 (1Kings 18:36-38, 44-45)

  • -  Daniel interceded for his people with fasting & repentance Da.9:1-5 (God’s answer v.20-23)

  • -  Acts 4:24-31 gives an example of the early church interceding together

• *  In the New Testament, there is constant encouragement to pray! The Holy Spirit shares God’s heart with us, but we need to start praying! Things don’t happen because we don’t pray! Our lives should be infused with the Holy Spirit, his power, his presence, his leading in prayer so God’s purposes can be brought to birth on earth.

  • -  ... what shall I do? I will pray in the spirit, and I will also pray in words I understand;1Corinthians 14:15a

  • -  Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Eph.6:18 (NIV)

  • -  ... build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jude 20

    Meditation/Memory:
    LowerGrades: ...heisable,onceandforever,tosavethosewhocometoGodthroughhim.He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:25 (NLT)

    The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.

    James 5:16b (NLT)

    Middle Grades: ... because Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. Hebrews 7:24-25 (NLT)

    Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. Ephesians 6:18 (NLT)

    Upper Grades: Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:34 (NLT)

    And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)

    High School: I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. 1Timothy 2:1-6a (NLT)