Intercessory Prayer
What is Intercessory Prayer?
Intercessory prayer is praying on behalf of other people. The Bible defines it as "holy, believing, persevering prayer" whereby someone prays to God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention." The Biblical basis for this is that we are a holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:5), a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and a kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:5).
Jesus Christ is our model for intercessory prayer. For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). It is Christ who died, rose from the grave and is seated at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus brings sinful man and a righteous God together at the place of the blood sacrifice for sin. No longer is the blood of animals necessary as it was in the Old Testament. We can now approach God on the basis of the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross of Calvary for the remission of sins. Because of the blood of Jesus, we can approach God boldly without timidity (Hebrews 4:14-16).
Jesus was an intercessor while He was here on earth. He prayed for those who were sick and possessed by demons. He prayed for His disciples. He even prayed for you and me when He interceded for all those who would believe on Him. Jesus continued His ministry of intercession after His death and resurrection when He returned to Heaven. He now serves as our intercessor in Heaven.
Sometimes intercessory prayer is referred to as "standing in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30) Because the Lord God did not find anyone to "stand in the gap," to intercede for the land, He was requited to pour out the judgment due its disobedience.
Why we believe in the power of prayer:
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or more come together in my name, there I am with them." - Matthew 18:19-20
When do we pray?
Friday evenings, we come together to not only pray for our pastors and those in spiritual leadership (2 Cor 1:11; 1 Thess 5:25; Heb 13:17), but for specific individuals and situations that are affecting lives both local and globally.