Contents
1.
What it is
2.
The Jericho Example
3.
Different Burdens
4.
Helps for Potential Intercessors
5.
Opposition & Dangers for Intercessors
In 1 Tim 2:1 Paul spoke of “intercessions” as one
of the forms or intensities of prayer. In this Part we will consider
some introductory thoughts on intercession, prayer that is both
passionate and persistent
1.
What it is
In Ezek 22:30 God said He looked for a man to stand before
Him in the gap on behalf of the land. It is a picture of someone who,
like Moses in Ex 32:11-14 stood in front of God and pleaded on behalf
of sinful Israel.
Intercession is more than simple prayer, it is urgently
and persistently standing before God on behalf of others.
Discussions ensue whether it is a gift or not, but without doubt there
are those whose hearts are more strongly driven in prayer to urgently
and persistently pray through on issues.
It is said that, comparing intercessors against others,
intercessors:
-
pray
longer
-
pray
with more intensity and enjoy prayer more
-
receive
more personal satisfaction from their praying
-
see
more frequent and dramatic answers to their prayers
-
are
acutely aware of hearing quite clearly from God.
2.
The Jericho Example
The illustration of the destruction of Jericho in Josh
6 is a powerful teaching tool when considering the process of intercession.
1.
Joshua is instructed to take Jericho v.2
2.
For six days Joshua encircles Jericho. We can now speculate:
Thus the intercessor senses a call to pray, starts to pray, realises
implications of the task, its impossibility and the need for God to
move, and a growing realisation that this IS what
a)
God wants to happen and then what
b)
God will do!
The intercessor aims to pray into a place of faith where they KNOW the
will of God and come to a place of faith to claim it.
3.
Different Burdens
Within our church context it is likely that different people will be
at different places with the Lord with regard to prayer. Some may not
be praying at all, some may be praying weakly or sporadically, while
some may be moving towards or be in a place of strong regular, urgent
and persistent prayer. These latter ones may perhaps be referred to
as intercessors, but even they come in different shades. They may have
different burdens to pray, perhaps for:
- the
local church leadership & needs within the local church
- the
state of the nation or particular nations
- or
even a combination of these.
It is helpful in encouraging the growth of intercession
to recognise that we are all different, are at different places in our
calling to prayer and have different burdens from God. Resting in but
seeking to develop your own particular calling is essential (see Rom
12:3-6)
4.
Helps for Potential Intercessors
4.1
To recognise your calling
- experiment
with intercession
- over
a long period, try as much as you can
- try
as many different ways to pray
- check
your feelings
- see
if you have a growing desire to pray
- check
your effectiveness
- are
you getting divine help to pray on and on
- are
your prayers being answered over a period
- let
others (esp.leaders) encourage you
4.2
Personal Determination
- Rom
12:6 It is God's gifting but we determine how we will use it
- 1
Pet 4:10 encourages us to use it “faithfully” i.e. go on using it
- Read
books, listen to tapes etc. to stimulate your faith
- Find
others who are like minded to pray with
4.3
The Holy Spirit
- Jn
7:37-39 we go to God when we are thirsty (for prayer?)
- It
shows the Spirit will flow like a stream
- 2
Kings 4:3-6 example of woman - as long as she poured it came
- Rom
8:26 He teaches us how to pray
- Eph
6:18 tells us to pray in line with the Spirit's leading
- He
knows the root of the problem AND the answer
4.4
Holding to the truth
In
the face of every difficult situation remember Jesus is Lord!
- He
upholds this world (Heb 1:3)
- He
is reigning over all things (1 Cor 15:25)
- He
is your head (let Him direct you) (Eph 1:22, 4:15)
- All
gifts come from Him (1 Cor 12:7-)
- All
my abilities come from Him
- I
am limited and constantly need His grace
- Even
when I fail He seeks to restore (1 Jn 2:1)
5.
Opposition & Dangers for Intercessors
5.1
Opposition
- Doubt,
that comes from the enemy. Resist him (Jas 4:7)
- Weariness,
for battling is weary (Heb 12:3 & Mt 11:28-30)
- Temptation
to stop, a strategy of the enemy. Don't give up!
5.2
Dangers
The main danger that an intercessor (or anyone else who
feels they are moving strongly in the purposes of God) faces is that
of a wrong attitude towards others. The following are specific things
to avoid:
Elitism
- I'm
special because of my calling
- Pride!
- Looks
down on others
Judgmentalism
- Sees
failures & weaknesses in others
-
Doesn't handle
that properly
-
James
& John syndrome (Lk 9:54)
-
Lacks grace
and mercy
5.3
Overcoming
We can overcome these if we allow the following to
prevail in our lives:
Servanthood
- We
are merely servants of God
- We
are also to be servants of the body
Humility
- In
knowing our own failures & weaknesses
- Knowing
we are only saved by God's grace
Perseverance
- We
continue to serve until HE says stop
- Receiving
His grace again and again to continue
If
you want to ask anything further about these things, contact Tony Thomas:
tony.thomas@rochfordcc.co.uk
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