THE INTERCESSOR’S DUTY
Written by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije Misigaro Joel, April 6, 2023
Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
INTRODUCTION
The intercessor has to pray on behalf of others and bridge the gap between them and God. They act as mediators, standing in the gap for those who cannot or do not know how to pray for themselves. The intercessor must stand in the gap and pray for others, bringing their needs before God. For this job, you need to care about other people and be willing to give up time and energy for them. Is to act as a mediator between God and man, praying on behalf of others and seeking divine intervention in their lives.
People often think of them as spiritual warriors who pray and fast a lot to make breakthroughs and miracles happen. They act as a go-between and ask God for mercy and grace on behalf of people who can't do it on their own. This verse from the Bible emphasizes the importance of prayer in the life of a Christian.
It tells Christians to pray not only for themselves but also for other people and to keep doing it over and over again. and should always be in touch with God through prayer, no matter what is going on. It also emphasizes the importance of interceding for fellow believers and their needs.
Prayer is seen as a way to strengthen one's relationship with God and to seek guidance and comfort during difficult times. It is also seen as a way to show thanks for the good things that have happened and to ask for forgiveness for wrongdoings. Moreover, prayer is not limited to a specific time or place, as believers can pray anywhere and at any time. It is considered a powerful tool for connecting with God and strengthening one's faith.
Prayer can also be a way to show thanks for all the good things that have happened. It is seen as a way to strengthen one's relationship with God and deepen their faith.
1. SEEKING GOD'S MERCY
This is also a very important part of prayer because people believe that God is kind and forgiving to those who ask for forgiveness. Additionally, prayer is often practiced in community settings such as church services or small groups, where believers come together to support and uplift one another through prayer.
Seeking God's mercy means more than just asking for forgiveness. It also means submitting to God's will and asking for help on how to live a good life. People believe that seeking God's mercy is the way to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace.
2 Samuel 11:1–4 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. 2 One evening, David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof, he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “Isn't this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite?” 4 Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her."
Psalm 51:1 "When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, he said, "Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion, blot out my transgressions." "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."
The person praying should be honest and humble, admitting their flaws and weaknesses and thanking God for their blessings. Additionally, seeking forgiveness from those who have been wronged and making amends can also be a way of seeking God's mercy.
People believe that getting God's forgiveness also means making up for any wrongs and trying to live in a way that is in line with what God teaches. By doing so, one can find solace in the knowledge that they are living a life that is pleasing to God.
Who in the Bible sought God's mercy There are many examples in the Bible of people who sought God's mercy, including King David, who asked for forgiveness after committing adultery and murder. Another example is the story of the prodigal son, who returned to his father seeking forgiveness after squandering his inheritance.
2. THE GAP
What creates this gap between man and God? Human flaws and limitations make it challenging for us to fully comprehend and communicate with the divine, which widens the gap between man and God. Seeking God's mercy is a way to bridge this gap and bring us closer to a state of spiritual wholeness.
According to popular belief, human sinfulness and imperfection, which separate them from divine perfection and holiness, are what cause this gap between man and God. Seeking God's mercy is therefore seen as a way to bridge this gap and restore the relationship between man and God.
What are the examples of those who were asked to stand in the gap In the Bible, are there prophets such as Moses and Ezekiel? They were told to "stand in the gap" for their people, to pray for them, and to ask God to have mercy on them.
Deuteronomy 5:5 “While I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord, for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain, He said:” Ezekiel 22:30
The prophet says, on behalf of God, “I looked for anyone to repair the wall and stand in the gap for me on behalf of the land, so I wouldn't have to destroy it."
In the same way, Christians believe that when Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for sin, he prayed for all people. In different traditions, religious leaders or spiritual guides are also thought to play this role by helping their followers access God's grace through prayer, repentance, and good works. Many people view asking for God's forgiveness as a spiritual practice that helps them become more humble and grateful. How does intercessory prayer bridge the chasm that exists between God and fallen humanity? It's by admitting defeat and asking God to intervene on humanity's behalf in the face of overwhelming odds.
Intercessory prayer is offered when people realize they are spiritually distant from God and turn to God for help. This gesture of submissiveness and surrender can help one feel more attuned to God and more grounded in reality.
3. AGAIN, AND AGAIN
What does it mean for the intercessor to pray again and again? Praying repeatedly as an intercessor means persistently seeking God's mercy and intervention on behalf of others, even when there is no immediate answer or change in the situation. It shows faith and trust in God's power to transform and restore. James 5:17-19 In-Context The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. "17 Elijah was a human being, just as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
Elijah had to pray again and again, which means stopping from praying would do subtle things, and God cannot react or answer if one is not praying.
(Vs. 18) shows that if anyone turns away from the truth, someone should bring him back, and this is why intercessory prayer plays an important role, as it is given out with faith and passion.
People turn to prayer, confession, and acts of repentance as a means of seeking God's mercy and forgiveness for their sins. By doing so, they hope to find peace and spiritual renewal in their lives.
Intercessory prayer is important for bringing others back to the truth and seeking God's mercy and forgiveness for oneself. People can find spiritual renewal and peace of mind through prayer, confession, and acts of repentance.
CONCLUSION
The intercessor must pray on behalf of others and bridge the gap between them and God. They act as a bridge between God and people by praying for others and asking God to change their lives. Prayer is seen as a way to strengthen one's relationship with God and to seek guidance and comfort during difficult times. It is also seen as a way to show thanks for the good things that have happened and to ask for forgiveness for wrongdoings.
Prayer is often practiced in community settings, such as church services or small groups, to support and uplift one another through prayer.
The Bible is full of examples of people who sought God's mercy, including King David and the prodigal Son. The gap between man and God is widening due to human flaws and limitations, making it difficult for us to fully comprehend and communicate with the divine.
People believe that seeking God's mercy is the way to spiritual enlightenment and inner peace. People should be honest and humble, admitting their flaws and weaknesses and thanking God for their blessings. Seeking God's mercy is seen as a way to bridge the gap between man and God, with prophets such as Moses and Ezekiel being examples. Intercessory prayer is a spiritual practice that helps people become more humble and grateful.
It is offered when a person realizes they are spiritually distant from God and turns to him for help. Praying again and again as an intercessor means persistently seeking God's mercy and intervention on behalf of others, even when there is no immediate answer or change in the situation.
James 5:17–19 states that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Intercessory prayer is important for bringing others back to the truth and for seeking God's mercy and forgiveness for oneself.
It is given out with faith and passion and is believed to bring about powerful changes in both the person praying and the people they are praying for. It is important to pray with sincerity and from the heart rather than just reciting words without meaning.
