Isaiah 63:5,
Isaiah 59:16 and
Ezekiel 22:30 speak of an intercessor or a person to stand in the gap or make up the hedge.
Just what is an intercessor? Some times we have made it too mysterious or spiritual. Years ago we would refer to them as "prayer warriors."
Intercession is defined as
Intreaty in favor of another, mediation in a dispute
Latin “inter (between) + “cedere” (to go)
An intercessor is someone who stands between or goes between two others.
So, in the simplest definition, an intercessor is someone who prays for someone else.
If you have ever prayed for someone you have interceded for them or you have been an intercessor.
There are three chapters (all interestingly enough are the ninth chapter in their respective books) in the Bible that show a person praying for others.
These are
Daniel chapter 9 where Daniel prays for his people. This was in 539 BC
Ezra chapter 9 where he prays for his people. This was around 458 BC
Nehemiah chapter 9 where he prays for his people. This was around 445 BC
In each case they are considered “Identifcational Intercession” because they used the terms “we” and “us” as they identified with the needs and condition of the people they prayed for.
Another case of intercession is in Genesis chapter 18 where Abraham prays for or intercedes for his family members who are in Sodom.
Genesis 19:29 says that God heard Abram’s prayer and spared Lot and his daughters.
And still another case is in Exodus chapters 32, 33, and 34 where God determined to destroy the nation of Israel after they had failed Him big time and Moses interceded and God granted mercy.
Psalm 106:23 said that God would have destroyed them if Moses had not interceded or stood in the gap.
We all have family members that we intercede for. As members of a local church we have leaders and members who need our intercessory prayers. Some of us have ministers and ministries that we support and pray for on a regular basis. And, of course we need to pray for the leaders of our country according to
1 Timothy 2:1-4. As you spend time alone with the Lord interceding for others, you will find that He brings people and situations to your mind to pray for. God will actually share his desires or prayer requests with you and give you things to pray for.
In
Romans 15:30 and
Ephesians 6:18-20 the Apostle Paul asked the members of the church in Rome and in Ephesus to pray for him or to intercede for him.
Also, in some of his epistles as he greets those to whom he writes, he reminds them that he is praying for them.
Romans 15:30 in the New King James Version says: "Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,"
In The Living Bible that is translated as: "Will you be my prayer partners? For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and because of your love for me --given to you by the Holy Spirit-- pray much with me for my work."
Let's partner with the Holy Spirit and pray for (intercede for) one another.
This is an old poem I thought I’d pass on.
Jim Ellis
MAKE ME AN INTERCESSOR
One who can pray;
One of the Lord's Remembrancers';
By night as well as day.
Make me an intercessor,
Through whom the spirit can plead
For the sin and sorrow on each side
Of this world in darkness and need.
In spirit-touch with Thee,
And, given the Heavenly vision,
Pray through to victory.
Make me an intercessor
Teach me how to prevail;
To stand my ground and still pray on,
Though powers of Hell assail.
Make me an intercessor.
'Till pleading at Thy Throne,
The sins and sorrows of other lives
Become my very own.
Make an intercessor,
Sharing Thy death and Life;
claiming in prayer for others
His victory in the strife.
Make me an intercessor,
Such as Thou dost require,
Who will understand and enter
Into Thy heart's desires.
Make me an intercessor,
Willing for deeper death;
Emptied, broken, then made anew,
And filled with Living Breath.
Make me an intercessor.
Reveal this mighty thing'
The wondrous possibility
Of praying back my King.
Make me an intercessor,
Hidden - unknown - apart;
Lightly esteemed by those around,
But making glad Thine Heart.
I would be an intercessor!
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