There is a place of service that everyone can fulfill. It’s a job that very few really take seriously, but God does. This is the place of service to which everyone who has spiritual life is called and everyone in any circumstance of life can fulfill regardless of who they are, where they are, or in what circumstances they find themselves. The call to intercession is a general call for all believers, but it takes discipline to take up the cross of inconvenience and redeeming the time to devote yourself to the ministry of intercession.
Intercession by definition is the act of praying or seeking God on behalf of others. Take note of the admonition to intercession for the entire church body from the apostle Paul:
1 Timothy 2:1–3 (ESV) — 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
Notice a few things about those verses that there is an instruction for intercession for all people, for those in authority, and for the purpose of living a peaceful, quiet, and godly life. Too many times we are given to criticism and complaining about those in authority as well as others which seem to be destroying the life we feel we should have and be living. Do you know that Jesus even instructed us to pray for our enemies?
Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV) — 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Go back to the passage in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 and take note of the last verse concerning giving ourselves to the ministry of intercession: It is good and pleasing in the sight of God. Why?
Romans 8:28–30 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
We are told that God is working all things together for our good and that includes our being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. You could rightly say that our taking up the ministry of intercession follows in line with our conforming to or being like Him. His work is continual intercession on our behalf.
Hebrews 7:24–25 (ESV) — 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Romans 8:34 (ESV) — 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Isaiah 53:12 (ESV) — 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.
How would you feel if you knew that the Lord Jesus Christ was in the next room praying for you? It would be great! Right? Well, He is before the throne of God the Father, on His right hand, where He is making intercession for you continually. If He is doing that on a continuing basis for you, wouldn’t it make sense that if we are conforming to be like Him, that we would devote at least some time to making intercession on behalf of others?
As the commercial says, “but wait there is more,” so there is even more reason to devote some time each day to making intercession for others, the work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14–17 (ESV) — 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:26–27 (ESV) — 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The Holy Spirit works within us in drawing us to the Lord Jesus Christ in salvation and in continually helping us to grow, enjoy assurance, and to teach us how to live in this world. You will notice that one of the ways He leads us is to pray and in prayer He gives us assurance. You’ll also notice that He intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Sometimes we are so burdened that we don’t even know how to express how we feel, but He does and He knows how to express our need to God the Father in accordance with the will of the Father. The point is this: The Holy Spirit intercedes for us so if we are following the lead of the Holy Spirit wouldn’t we then be people who intercede for others?
You don’t need a degree to be an intercessor, nor do you need any other qualification other than a willing spirit to discipline yourself to follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, the working of the Holy Spirit, and the direct command of scripture. That means anyone and everyone has to the potential to be an intercessor.
If you will take up this call you will find joy in serving the Lord Jesus Christ and others as you are promised His presence as you pray and as you care for others as you pray for them.
This is a call for all to be intercessors, which is really a call to take up arms as described in the armor of God.
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV) — 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Will you be an intercessor?
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
