And
He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore His
arm brought salvation unto Him; and His righteousness, it sustained Him
(Isaiah
59:16);
I
have set watchmen upon your walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold
their peace day nor night: you that make mention of the Lord,
keep not silence, (Isaiah 62:6);
Son
of man, I have made you a watchman unto the
house of Israel: therefore hear the word at My mouth, and give them warning
from Me (Ezekiel
3:17);
And
I sought for a man among them, that should make up the
hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not
destroy it: but I found none (Ezekiel 22:30);
But
if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not
the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any
person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I
require at the watchman’s hand (Ezekiel 33:6);
Likewise the
Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we
know not what we should pray for
as we ought: but the
Spirit itself makes intercession for us with
groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26);
I exhort therefore, that, first of all,
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks, be made for all men (1 Timothy 2:1);
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all
perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians
6:18);
Pray without
ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
PERSONAL
TESTIMONY
I
have been privileged and honored to be an intercessory prayer warrior since
1994, when Jesus baptized me in the Holy Spirit in the privacy of my home. Everything that I have learned about praying
“in the spirit” or in tongues, and spiritual warfare, has been taught by the
Holy Spirit while I have spent quality time in communion, allowing Him to pray
through me in our “secret place” and to impart insight, knowledge,
understanding and wisdom (Psalms 91:1).
Nearly all that I have learned in preparation for ministry has been learned
through experience and taught by the Holy Spirit—secrets, mysteries,
strategies, knowledge, insight, revelation and wisdom—that I could not have
learned in any seminary. I wouldn’t
trade my Holy Ghost education for anything!
Intercession
is an honorable and deeply satisfying and rewarding calling; however, few choose
to answer the call. Intercession is also
a much-needed, but neglected ministry. Why? Because so many people want to serve in high-profile
positions where they are seen, heard, exalted and rewarded openly. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, the Pharisees
and Sadduccees exemplified this mindset:
But
all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their
phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost
rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi (Matthew
23:5-7)
Many
true intercessors are positioned by God to lead believers in prayer, to participate
in a corporate prayer group, and to teach intercession. However, intercession is also accomplished in
solitude where no one sees, hears or rewards the individual intercessor, except
God, and “If God be for you, who can be against you?” (Romans 8:31):
But you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have
shut your door, pray to your Father which is in secret; and your
Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly (Matthew
6:6).
THE POWER OF
INTERCESSION
… The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man avails much (James 5:16b).
Intercession is POWERFUL!
Intercession
keeps SELF
off the throne because the intercessor surrenders and yields every part of his BODY, SOUL, HEART
and SPIRIT
to the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:16; 1 Corinthians 9:27).
PRAYER & FASTING, together, are
a POWERFUL
WEAPON against the enemy! Just as Jesus taught, some demon spirits will
not be cast out except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29). Some benefits of fasting are:
Assures success
in casting out demons (Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29)
Breaks every
yoke (Isaiah
58:6)
Chastens the SOUL
(Psalms
69:10)
Enhances
spiritual discernment and hearing (Acts 13:2)
Frees the
oppressed (Isaiah
58:6)
Humbles the SOUL
(Psalms
35:13
Lifts heavy
burdens (Isaiah
58:6)
Looses bands of
wickedness (Isaiah
58:6)
Weakens the FLESH (Psalms 109:24; Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:3)
INTERCESSION IS SO POWERFUL that God seeks
intercessors—believers who are willing to set aside time every day to intercede
on behalf of others, nations and world affairs! If you yearn for a deeper level of intimate fellowship
with the Holy Spirit and feel strongly that God is calling you to be an
intercessor, obey the call! Your life
will never be the same! God needs you
because prayer is essential for His Will to be accomplished on earth! Everything you need to see positive change in
circumstances and lives, and to fulfill your own purpose on earth, is available
to you through prayer. Prayer doesn’t
change God, but it does change you and the world around you!
THE VISION OF
INTERCESSION
Intercession is
the prayers offered for others as directed and energized by the Holy Spirit. When we stand between others and God, we are
interceding on their behalf in the Spirit.
The Word tells us that God looks for even one to “stand in the gap” (Ephesians
6:18; Jude 20; Ezekiel 22:30; Isaiah 59:16). The Word also says that those who intercede
for others will be blessed! (Job 42:10).
Many
intercessors pleaded for individuals, families, cities, and nations in The
Bible. For example, when God intended to
destroy a nation, Moses “stood before Him in the breach” (Psalms 106:23). Moses’ intercession on behalf of Israel
changed God’s mind! (Exodus 17:8-16; 32:9-14; 30-33; Numbers 14:11-25). This is why Christians must not stop praying
for the salvation, deliverance and healing of their brethren, loved ones, and
their nation! PRAYER WORKS, SO WORK IT!
Intercessors are
God’s watchmen on the wall and God never forgets the intercessor’s work and
labor (Ezekiel
33:6; Isaiah 62:6-7; Hebrews 6:10).
Everyone
has a constant, perpetual intercessor in the Person of Jesus Christ, who “ever lives
to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Intercession is the most rewarding and deeply
satisfying service that Christians can engage in as we link our weak, powerless
lives with Christ’s all-powerful life!
THE COST OF
INTERCESSION
Intercession is
a much-neglected service to the Lord. It
is certainly the most unpopular service because it has high costs. AN INTERCESSOR:
Primarily prays
in secret, not to be seen of men (Matthew 6:5-6);
Pays the price
of personal sacrifice, discipline, obedience, time, and fellowship, in order to
be used by the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:1);
Willingly and
sacrificially makes himself a target of Satan in order to “stand in the gap”
for others (Ezekiel
22:30). But,
do not fear because as long as you remain submitted to God and don’t give place
to the devil, God will protect you! (Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7);
Must persevere
in prayer, or “pray through” until he receives a release from the burden to
pray. (A release can be momentary to
provide the intercessor a chance to rest.)
God deals deeply
with the state of an intercessor’s HEART.
In
spite of the costs, intercession should become a way of life for every
Christian (Hebrews
7:25; Ezekiel 22:30-31; Isaiah 63:5; 64:7; 59:16; Nehemiah 1:4-6; Romans 8:27;
8:34).
THE REWARDS
OF INTERCESSION
God rewards
intercessors (Matthew
6:6; Hebrews 6:10; Jeremiah 31:16-17; Galatians 6:9). When an intercessor sacrifices energy and time
to intercede for others, God will make happen for him what he has made happen for
God through prayer! Rewards include, but
are not limited to: answered prayer, blessings, heightened discernment, dreams
and visions, favor, good health, insight, joy, miracles
when needed, open doors, inner peace, protection, provision,
revelation, strength, victories and wisdom!
God protects
intercessors (Matthew
4:6; Psalms 20:6; 28:8; 34:7; 105:15; Job 22:25);
Intercessors
produce results (Job
22:28; James 5:16);
Intercessors
have relationship and fellowship with God and The Word (Job 22:21:22);
Intercessors
intimately know other intercessors in the Spirit;
Intercessors
receive revelation knowledge, words, impressions, and visions from the Holy
Spirit during prayer. The Holy Spirit
will also warn them of danger via dreams.
THE BENEFITS
OF PRAYER
Brings us closer
to God (Isaiah
52:3; James 4:8);
Enables us to
live a holy life, free of sin (Isaiah 52:1);
Enables us to
live separate from unbelievers and the world, clean before the Lord (Isaiah 52:1);
Enables us to
live a life free of destruction (Isaiah 52:2);
Enables us to be
seated in the presence of God (Isaiah 52:2);
Enables us to
rule over the enemy (Isaiah 52:5);
Enables us to
know the Lord’s name, its power, and His voice (Isaiah 52:6);
Gives us power
to loose ourselves from bondage (Isaiah 52:2);
Releases us
completely from Satan’s power (Isaiah 52:4);
Strengthens
our “inner man” and our Christian walk (Isaiah 52:1; 1 Corinthians 14:4; Ephesians 3:16; 5:19;
Jude 20).
BIBLICAL
INTERCESSORS
Abraham (Genesis
18:23-32)
Abraham’s
Servant (Genesis
24:12-14)
Church of
Jerusalem (Acts
12:5)
Daniel (Daniel 9:3-19)
David (2 Samuel 7:18;
Psalms 25:22)
Elisha (2 Kings 4:33)
Epaphras (Colossians
4:12)
Ezekiel (Ezekiel 9:8)
Ezra (Ezra 9:6)
Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:1)
Hezekiah (2 Chronicles
30:18; 2 Kings 19:15)
Isaiah (2 Chronicles
32:20)
Jacob (Genesis 32:24)
Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:9;
John 17:1)
Moses (Exodus 8:12;
32:11-13)
Nehemiah (Nehemiah
1:4-11)
Paul (Colossians
1:9-12; Ephesians 3:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11)
Peter and John (Acts 8:15)
Philemon (Philemon 1:22)
Samuel (1 Samuel 7:5)
Solomon (1 Kings 3:6; 8:22-36)
Stephen (Acts 7:60)
PRAYERLESSNESS
IS SIN!
Moreover
as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the
good and the right way (1 Samuel 12:23);
Therefore
to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
Every believer has the opportunity and authority
to change the quality of his life, family, and world, but many neglect prayer! Tragically, many believers only turn to
prayer as a last, desperate resort, when it should be their first weapon of
defense and offense! Again, prayer
works, so work it!
BIBLICAL
REASONS FOR INTERCESSION
By ministers for
their people (Ephesians
1:16; 3:14-19; Philippians 1:4)
Christ, our
example (Luke
22:32; 23:34; John 17:9-24)
For all in
authority (1
Timothy 2:2)
For all men (1 Timothy 2:1)
For all saints (Ephesians
6:18)
For children (Genesis 17:18;
Matthew 15:22; 19:13; Mark 10:13; Luke 18:15)
For enemies (Matthew 5:4;
Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60; Jeremiah 29:7)
For
fellow-countrymen (Romans 10:1)
For friends (Job 42:8)
For Jerusalem (Psalms 122:6)
For kings (1 Timothy 2:2)
For laborers to
be sent into His harvest fields (Matthew 9:38; Luke 10:2)
For masters (Genesis
24:12-14)
For ministers (2 Corinthians
1:11; Philippians 1:19)
For servants (Luke 7:2-3)
For the Church (Psalms 122:6;
Isaiah 62:6-7; John 17:20; Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:16; 3:14; Colossians 1:3)
For the sick (James 5:14,16)
For those who
despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28)
For those who
envy us (Numbers
12:13)
For those who
forsake us (2
Timothy 4:16)
For those who
murmur against God (Numbers 11:1-2; 14:13,19)
For those who
persecute you (Matthew
5:44)
THE SOUNDS OF
INTERCESSION
Likewise
the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for
as we ought: but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).
The sounds of
intercession and warfare are varied.
Since the Holy Spirit has different ways of flowing and manifesting
Himself through intercessors, they should not become alarmed when they hear
themselves making unusual sounds or utterances during intercession. For example:
Moaning
and Weeping—usually
indicates that God is grieved about something and He is sharing His heart with
the intercessor (Hebrews
5:7; Luke 22:44; Romans 8:26);
Groaning—Just as a woman
travails giving birth to a baby, intercessors also travail (Isaiah 66:7-9; Romans 8:26);
Rapid-fire,
Prolonged Chanting—usually
means that an intercessor is engaged in spiritual warfare, tearing down
strongholds and thwarting Satan’s plans before he has a chance to implement
them (2
Corinthians 10:4);
Release—from the burden
to pray indicates VICTORY and can
manifest in a number of different ways:
Clapping hands
Crying tears of joy
Joyful laughing (Philemon 1:20;
Romans 14:17)
Peace settles upon the
intercessor (Philippians
4:7)
Praising and Thanking Jesus
Shouting
Singing
HOW TO BECOME
& REMAIN AN INTERCESSOR
Desire to be an
intercessor for others (Job 22:27)
Determine that
you will live this life (2 Corinthians 6:17; James 4:4)
Discipline your
life to intercede (Matthew 14:23; Acts 10:9)
Worship God by
meditating on His character (Jeremiah 32:17,19; Micah 7:7)
Have faith to
hear the Will of God and to receive answers (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 4:20-23; 14:23; John
14:13-14; Mark 11:24; Ephesians 1:19)
Realize that you
must live in obedience to revealed light
Expect God to
reveal secrets (Amos
3:7)
Respect and
Honor the secrets that God reveals
Learn to pray by
praying continually (Acts 6:4)
Know the voice
of the Lord (John
10:3-4)
Ask
for the fear of the Lord and for hatred of evil and sin the way God hates them (Proverbs 8:13)
THE CHRISTIAN
& SPIRITUAL WARFARE
Prayer is
warfare and the Christian life is warfare (Matthew 11:12; 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We must learn to recognize Satan’s strengths
and weaknesses, as well as our own. If
we allow Satan footholds, he will defeat us because (1) we have no knowledge of him; (2)
unconfessed sin opens doors for attack, and (3) we have not made restitution for
sin (Hosea
4:6; 1 John 1:9).
Know
your enemy and don’t underestimate his strength and cunning (2 Corinthians
2:11; 4:4; Ephesians 6:11; 1 John 5:19; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; 1 Peter 5:8;
Revelation 12:10). Satan has
power in demonic ranks and in mankind.
Fortunately, his weaknesses are far greater than his strengths (1 John 4:4). After all, he is a fallen angel, doomed to
eternal destruction (Isaiah 14:12; Revelation 20:10). Christians are on the winning side! (Ephesians
1:19-23; Colossians 1:15-20; Philippians 2:5-11). However, there are conditions of Scripture
that must be met in our lives in order for victory to be assured—being free
from sin; making restitution; continually being filled with the Holy Spirit;
having a totally surrendered will; and, receiving power by faith. Satan had no power over Jesus Christ because
Jesus gave him no foothold of sin. We
should be able to say at all times in humility, truth and boldness that “the
prince of this world has nothing in me” (John 14:30).
HOW TO
PREPARE FOR BATTLE WITH SATAN
Take a heavenly
position seated with Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:4-7)
Be well-grounded
in, and exercise, the authority Jesus has given you (Luke 10:19)
Take a place of
protection and remain there (Psalms 91:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Proverbs 18:10;
Ephesians 6:10)
Put on the whole
armor of God. Our weapons are mighty—the
Name and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Power and Sword of the Holy
Spirit (Ephesians
6:11,13; 2 Corinthians 10:4). Fasting
and Praise and Worship are also spiritual weapons!
Take
a place of humility by recognizing your place in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians
8:9; Hebrews 5:5; James 4:10)
HOW TO BATTLE
SATAN
First and
foremost, submit to God so that when you resist Satan, he will flee from you (James 4:7; 1
Peter 5:8-9)
Bind the enemy (Matthew 12:29;
16:19)
Attack Satan by
using Scriptures as led and directed by the Holy Spirit. (See Matthew chapter 4 to
learn how Jesus used the Sword of the Spirit.)
Declare the
victory of Calvary, or the finished work of Christ (Colossians 2:15; 1 John 3:8)
Confess victory
through the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of Testimony (Revelation 12:11)
State your
authority in the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 10:19; 1 John 4:4)
On authority of
the Word of God, smash Satan’s stronghold and loose from bondage the person or
situation about which you are interceding (Matthew 16:19; 2 Corinthians 10:4)
Declare
verses of victory to give glory to God (Psalms 44:3-8; 108:13, etc.)
PRINCIPLES
FOR EFFECTIVE INTERCESSION
Allow the Holy
Spirit time to convict you of any unconfessed sin. Your heart must be clean and pure before God
before you begin to intercede (Psalms 66:18; 139:23; John 14:26)
Acknowledge that
you cannot pray without the direction and energy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26)
Ask God to
completely control you by His Spirit (Ephesians 5:18; Hebrews 11:6)
Write down
everything that you want to pray about, but allow the Holy Spirit freedom to
move on you to pray about matters that concern God. Allow the Holy Spirit to intercede for you as
the Father Wills (Proverbs 28:26; Isaiah 55:8; Romans 8:27)
Deal
aggressively with Satan! Come against
him in the all-powerful Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and with the Sword of the
Spirit (Matthew
16:23; James 4:7; Zechariah 3:2)
With boldness,
speak out what God gives you (Acts 4:29)
Praise Him in
faith for the remarkable prayer experience that you are going to have. God is remarkable and He will do something
consistent with His character (Philippians 4:6)
Wait in silent
expectation. In obedience and faith,
utter what God brings to your mind. Remember,
prayer is a two-way street, so do not move on to the next subject until you
have given God sufficient time to discharge all that He wants to say (John 10:27; 1
John 2:20)
Keep your Bible
with you should God want to give you direction or confirmation from the
Scriptures (Psalms
119:105)
When
God ceases to bring things to your mind for prayer, finish by praising and
thanking Him for what He has done (Romans 11:36; Hebrews 13:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:18;
Colossians 3:17)
THE WAYS OF
GOD IN INTERCESSION
Pray out loud
whenever possible. This helps keep your
mind from wandering.
Fast, with
prayers (Ezekiel
8:21,23; Nehemiah 9; 2 Chronicles 20:3; Daniel 9:3; Esther 4; Hannah in 1
Samuel 1)
Weep in the Holy
Spirit. Allow God to share His heart
with you (Hebrews
5:7; Luke 22:44; Romans 8:26)
Travail in
prayer (Isaiah
66:7-9)
Wrestle in
prayer (Isaiah
64:7; Ephesians 6:12; Genesis 32:24)
Persevere in
prayer (Luke
11:5-13; Ephesians 6:18)
Take no vacation
from prayer (Isaiah
62:6)
Study the
following great intercessors and their prayers, noting the recurring themes of
God’s character, work, people, burdens, responsibility, glory, and His promises. Also note common references to fasting; the
intercessor’s identification with the sins of the people; humbling, and
confession:
Daniel
(Daniel
9:3-21)
Nehemiah
(Nehemiah
1:4-11)
Ezra
(Ezra
9:4-15)
Moses (Numbers
14:11-20)
WARNING!
God knows that PRIDE is
the great weakness of the human HEART.
Speaking of what God has revealed and done in intercession may lead to
our committing this sin against God.
God
shares His secrets and burdens with those who are trustworthy to keep
them. There may come a time when He will
prompt us to share, but unless this happens, we should remain silent (Amos 3:7; Luke
2:19; 9:36)
AREAS OF
NEEDED INTERCESSION
America (or Your
Nation
Arts &
Entertainment
Business &
Commerce
Churches &
Missionaries
Education
Enemies of God
Governments
& Leaders
Home &
Family
Israel
Lost Souls
Media
New Converts
Persecuted
Saints
Unity in the
Body of Christ
Witnessing
Opportunities
Worldwide
Revival
Worldwide Spread
of the Gospel
Be Blessed!
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