As Christians, we are called to intercede for others. I call it part of our DNA as believers in Christ. We are not just to pray for ourselves and our loved one; we are to “always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18) That means we are also to pray for the lost, the sick, the hurting, the poor, the bereaved, the foreigner, the imprisoned and those in authority, both spiritually and worldly.
The word, intercession, is derived from the Hebrew word paga and the Greek word entugchano, is intervening, mediating, pleading, advocating for another. Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as intervening on behalf of another person; acting as a mediator in a dispute; or pleading with someone to help settle differences.
We are helped in our intercession by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, is called our Advocate in John 14:26; he was sent by Jesus. He helps us in our weaknesses, for we don’t always know how to pray. According to Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans.
There are many references in the Bible of people interceding for God’s mercy, salvation, guidance, blessings, healing and intervention on behalf of others. While Moses was on the mountain with God, the Israelites made a golden calf and began to dance and worship the calf made by the hands of Aaron. Moses said to God in Exodus 32:31-32,
”Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the books you have written.”
So, God told Moses, to go lead the people “to the place I spoke of and my angel will go before you.” The Lord eventually punished the people with a plague for their worship of the golden calf.
Jesus, himself, our intercessor—Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; Isa 53:12
Nehemiah, an exile in Babylon, cried out to God in Nehemiah 1 on behalf of the Israelites in Jerusalem. The walls and gates of the remnant had been breached and the people were in danger. Nehemiah prayed:
“Lord, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open to hear the prayer your servant is praying before you day and night for your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
”Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.’
”They are your servants and your people, whom you redeemed by your great strength and your mighty hand. Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.
In Nehemiah 2:8, God answered Nehemiah’s prayer and he was granted permission by the king to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls.
Jesus is, of course, is our great intercessor. He interceded for his murderers on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”(Luke 23:35) he is now making intercession for us at the right hand of Father God. (Hebrews 7:25)
Spiritual References:
Isaiah 59:15-16 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him
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