Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory Prayer

Lakewood / Speaker: Pastor Jonathan / 9-7-2014

I. Timothy 2:1-6

Introduction

• John G. Lake said, "When you hear the children travail, know Jesus has one foot in the door."

• Doug Small reminds us that, “We are not a Church with a Prayer Ministry… We are a Praying Church”

I. What is Intercession?

"Intercession may be defined as holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's intervention." (Full Life Bible)

A. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another's case. When

you pray this way, you are interceding:

B. THE BIBLICAL BASIS OF INTERCESSION

1. The Biblical basis for the New Testament believer's ministry of intercessory

prayer is our calling as priests unto God.

a. The Word of God declares that we are a holy priesthood (I Peter 2:5),

b. A royal priesthood (I Peter 2:9), and

c. A kingdom of priests (Revelation 1:5).

II. Jesus was/is THE MODEL INTERCESSOR

A. God’s Word declares that God's purpose in sending Jesus was for Him to serve as an

intercessor:

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)

B. Jesus stands before God and between Him and sinful man, just as the Old

Testament priests did:

For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. (I Timothy 2:5)

...It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34)

Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)

III. HOW TO INTERCEDE

A. As intercessors following the Old Testament priestly function and the New Testament

pattern of Jesus, we stand before God and between a righteous God and sinful man.

1. In order to be effective standing "between" we must first stand "before" God to

develop the intimacy necessary to fulfill this role.

B. The Bible uses two words to describe this priestly ministry: "Holy" and "Royal."

1 Peter 2:9 – But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

1. Holiness (holy living) is required to stand before the Lord.

a. We are able to do it only on the basis of the righteousness of Christ not

our own righteousness.

b. It’s possible because of Calvary

2. Royalty is descriptive of kingly authority.

a. Members of the "royal family" have legitimate access to the throne

room (of God).

Hebrews 4:16 – Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

C. Sometimes this priestly intercession is done with understanding. This occurs when

you intercede for others in your own native language and you understand what you

are saying:

I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. For kings, and for all that are in authority... (I Timothy 2:1-2)

D. At other times, intercession is made by the Holy Spirit.

1. When this happens, the Holy Spirit speaks through you praying directly to God

according to the will of God:

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26)

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.

(I Corinthians 14:2)

IV. What to (Pray) for Others - Colossians 1:9-12

1. May they be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (v. 9).

2. May they walk in a manner worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ and please God in all respects (v. 10).

3. May they bear fruit in every good work (v. 10).

4. May they increasingly grow in the knowledge of the Lord (v. 10).

5. May they be strengthened with all power, according to God’s glorious might (v. 11).

6. May they express joyous gratitude to the Father for His grace (v. 12).

Call to Prayer