THE PRAYER OF INTERCESSION
Intercede – means to act as go-between parties that are unfriendly.
By definition, this limits this type of prayer for people other than the pray-er. The prayer of intercession is a petition-type prayer.
Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”
Romans 8:34 “…who is at the right hand of God, who makes intercession for us.”
Hebrews 7:25 “Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by Him because he lives to make intercession for them.”
Isaiah 53:12 “…He has poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” The whole work of the Cross was intercession on our behalf, not just what Jesus says or does at the right hand of the Father.
Intercession does not nullify personal responsibility. Jeremiah 7:16 “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, so do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.”
Purpose for intercession – to pray God’s will into existence. To act as a priest on behalf of others who have not gotten God’s provision yet.
Examples: Moses -Exodus 32:7-14, Paul – Romans 9:1-3, 10:1, Jesus – Luke 23:34, and Stephen – Acts 7:60.
REMEMBER- generally speaking, our intercession works for others, but it is always based on the love and grace of God – along with what His foreknowledge has planned. He does not condemn anyone. John 3:17
PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
Tongues are a language of men or angels. 1 Cor.13:1
It is a language that one has not studied and does not know. The person has the God-given ability to speak it, but the Spirit supplies the words and their meaning.
It is an expression of God’s divine presence and ability – Acts 10:10-44-46
How they operate:
- Speaking is a learned ability.
- With the infilling of the Holy Spirit we are given this ability.
- His knowledge and ability is not limited to ours.
- The ability comes through the human spirit. – 1 Cor.2:12-14
- Working together – Spirit gives utterance – person does the speaking.