Basics of Intercessory Prayer

Copyright ©2003 by Gene Brooks  Home

One who stands between need and Need Meeter Ezekiel 13:5; 22:30

• COUNCILOR - Psalm 25:14; Genesis 18:17-19; Jeremiah 5:1;Amos 3:7; Hebrews 4:14-16
• A councilor is a member of an assembly of persons summoned or convened for consultation, deliberation, or advice. An advocate, an attorney, a lawyer.
• Psalm 25:14: Confide - Hebrew sode, "a session, company in deliberation resulting from friendship, intimacy, consultation, secret."
• KJV: Psa 25:14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. MSG: Psa 25:14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in. CEV: Psa 25:14 Our LORD, you are the friend of your worshipers, and you make an agreement with all of us. 1901 ASV: Psa 25:14 The friendship of Jehovah is with them that fear him; And he will show them his covenant.
• Charles Spurgeon Treasury of David: "Carnal minds cannot guess what is intended by it, and even believers cannot explain it in words, for it must be felt to be known. He who does not know the meaning of this verse, will never learn it from a commentary; let him look to the cross for the secret lies there. " - Keil & Delitzsch: "So here: He opens his mind without any reserve, speaks confidentially with those who fear Him"
• 2 Samuel 7:18: David sat before the Lord: Sit from Hebrew yawshab - "sit in quiet, judge, ambush." Used to mean: "to dwell, remain, settle, marry, tarry, keep a house." cf. 2 Samuel 12:20
• Proverbs 3:32; Matthew 13:11; John 7:17; 14:17, 21; 15:15; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 1:9, 18
• HOW NOISY IS THE THRONE ROOM?
• Illus. Fort Loudon, Tellico Blockhouse, sit in council



• WORSHIPER - Genesis 18:1-33 Abraham; Psalm 27:4; 84:10; Isaiah 56:7; Zechariah 8:21; Acts 16:25; 1 Peter 2:9; Luke 2:36-38
• ANNA: (from Hannah, means "grace") probably had an apartment on the Temple campus and ministered to younger women and those who needed guidance.
• Prophetic Worship and Intercession: Prophetic Worship -- hearing how the Lord desires you to worship Him and doing it. Prophetic Intercession - hearing what is on the Lord's heart and praying it. Listening prayer.
• Symbol of Worshiping Intercessor
• In the Presence: "She never left the Temple (Luke 2:37)
• Of Asher, a "lost tribe" (Luke 2:36) from Galilee area: "out of Galilee ariseth no prophet"? John 7:52; Matthew 21:11;
• Worshiped ("served" fr. , menial servant, cog: latrine), prayed, fasted (Luke 2:37)
• Full of Thanksgiving (Luke 2:38)
• Full of Evangelism (Luke 2:38)
• FORCE OF ANNA'S INTERCESSION: Worship (Luke 2:37)

• WATCHMAN - Ezekiel 33:1-6; Isaiah 62:6-7; 21:1-12; Luke 2:25-35
• SIMEON (means "One who hears and obeys") His son might have been Gamaliel (Acts 5:33-40)
• Simeon's blessing of the Lord "might have been a happy introduction of the priests into an acquaintance with the Saviour, if those watchmen had not been blind."(Matthew Henry)
• Symbol of a Watchman for the Nations - Shades of Isaiah 49:6 MORAVIANS
• Expecting the Promises of God (Luke 2:25); , paraklesis): "Consolation of Israel"
• Holy Spirit was upon him (Luke 2:25)
• Clean before God - holiness "righteous and devout" (Luke 2:25)
• Worshiper (Luke 2:29-32)
• In the Presence of God (Luke 2:25)
• Heard God speak (Luke 2:26)
• Submitted to the Spirit of God (Luke 2:27)
• Man familiar with prayer (Luke 2:29-32)
• Man familiar with Scripture (Luke 2:29-32) He alludes in his song to Isaiah 40:1, 5; 42:6; 49:6, 13; 51:4; 52:9, 10
• Man of prophetic gifting (Luke 2:34-35)
• FORCE OF SIMEON'S WORSHIP: Intercession for the Nations (Luke 2:32)



• PRIEST - Leviticus 6:8-13; 8:6-12, 23-24, 30; 10:1-3; Hebrews 5:1-10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Exodus 32:9-14



• SEER (Visionary) - Daniel 7:1, 15, 28; 8:27; 1 Samuel 9:9,115-16, 19

WHAT DOES AN INTERCESSOR DO?

• Intercession is the Holy Spirit's work and at His will: Jeremiah 15:1; Romans 8:26ff
• Reminds God of His promises- Exodus 32:9-14; Jeremiah 14:20-21
• Defeats Giants- 1 Samuel 17
• Works from place of Covenant- 2 Samuel 24:16-17
• Lays down life- John 15:16; Romans 9:1-4; Revelation 12:10-11
• Heart of evangelism- Romans 10:1; Ezekiel 32:17; Luke 2:28-32
• Protects others- Luke 22:31-32
• Lives holy life- Hebrews 7:25
• Exercises authority in prayer- John 20:23; Matthew 28:18-19
• In spiritual warfare- Romans 8:31-39
• Repents for corporate sin- Jeremiah 14:20-21; Daniel 9; Nehemiah 1, 9; Ezra 9
• Consistent- Daniel 6:10
• Word of God imparted- 1 Samuel 3:7, 9, 21; 15:22-23
• Translates prayer into action- 1 Samuel 16:1
• At times exhausted; works hard- Daniel 7:1, 15, 28; 8:27
• Hears God's heart for nations- Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 32:17
• Intervenes for change- Psalm 106:29-31

EFFECTS OF PRAYER

• Powerful - Matthew 26:53; Acts 4:31; 16:25-26
• Keeps you from falling into sin - Matthew 26:41
• Can do mighty things - Matthew 21:21-22
• Saves you - Jonah 2:1-2
• Holy Spirit speaks - Acts 13:2-3
• Reveals unsearchable things - Jeremiah 33:3
• What you pray about will be done - Matthew 18:19-20; John 14:13-14
• Makes you prosperous - Job 42:10; Matthew 7:11
• Favor with God, see God's face, shouts for joy, restores to righteousness - Job 33:26
• Takes away fear - Lamentations 3:57

WHEN TO PRAY

• Morning - Psalm 5:2-3; Psalm 88:13
• Evening, Night - Psalm 42:8; Matthew 14:23
• Every day, three times a day - Psalm 55:17; 88:19; Daniel 6:10
• Continually - Acts 1:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:17
• When someone asks you to pray for them - Romans 15:30; 1 Samuel 12:23; Jeremiah 42:4
• Before a big decision - Luke 6:12-13; Acts 1:24
• To discover God's will - James 1:5; Jeremiah 29:11

FOR WHOM TO INTERCEDE

• The government - 1 Timothy 2:1-2; Ezra 6:10; Jeremiah 29:7
• Your persecutors, terrorists - Matthew 5:44; Luke 23:33-34; Acts 7:60 (Remember Paul was a terrorist).
• Healing of those plagued by disease or sin - Disease: 1 Kings 13:6; Genesis 20:7; James 5:14-15; Acts 28:8; Sin: 1 Samuel 7:5; Deuteronomy 9:20
• Laborers to extend the Kingdom - Matthew 9:35-38
• Peace of Jerusalem - Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 33:20; Zechariah 9:10
• Other believers - Colossians 1:9-12; 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25; Romans 15:30. Examples: Epaphras - Colossians 4:12; Jesus - Luke 22:31-32

GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARD PRAYER

FOR THE BELIEVER

• Prayer pleases God - Proverbs 15:8
• Holy Spirit intercedes for us - Romans 8:26
• Prayer is incense to God - Revelation 5:10; 8:3-4
• The Lord is looking and listening out for our prayer - 2 Chronicles 7:15-16; 1 Peter 3:12

FOR THE UNBELIEVER

• The wicked wonder what is gained by prayer - Job 21:15
• Unbeliever's prayer is detestable - Proverbs 28:9
• God does not listen to unrepentant unbelievers - John 9:31; Isaiah 1:15-16; Zechariah 7:13

FOR THE BELIEVER OUT OF LINE WITH THE FATHER

• Sin drowns out prayer. Lamentations 3:8, 44; Psalm 66:16-20.
• Prayer and confession are linked. Those who pray infrequently probably do not want to humble themselves and ask forgiveness of sin in their lives. If you feel that your prayers are getting lost in a thick cloud, one of two things is happening. Either there is sin that needs confession or God has you in a time of isolation or testing for perseverance and faith.
• Clean out your body-temple of sin - Pray Psalm 51. Matthew 21:12-13; 1 Kings 8:30, 39.

HOW TO PRAY

• Pray with your spirit and your mind - 1 Corinthians 4:14-15
• Be alert, clear-minded, self-controlled - Ephesians 6:18; 1 Peter 4:17
• Stay in Scripture - John 15:7-8; Proverbs 28:9
• Be devoted to it - Colossians 4:12; Romans 12:12; Daniel 6:11
• Pray earnestly - James 5:17-18
• Be persistent - Luke 11:8-10; 18:1
• Be specific - Mark 10:51-52
• Ask in Jesus' Name with right motives - John 14:13-14; 16:23-24; James 4:2-3.
• Be humble - 2 Chronicles 33:12-13; Daniel 9:3; Hebrews 5:7
• Weep - Nehemiah 1:4
• Fast - Nehemiah 1:4; Luke 5:33-35; Matthew 6:16-18; Acts 13:2-3
• Don't babble on about nothing or get into mindless rote ritual - Matthew 6:7-8
• Talk to God - not yourself (nor preach to others) Luke 18:11-14
• Be considerate and respectful of people - 1 Peter 3:7; Mark 11:25
• Pray with joy - Philippians 1:4; John 16:24
• Praise, petition God by setting it before Him - 2 Kings 19:14-19, 35; Philippians 4:6-7
• Believe your request will be granted - Mark 11:22-24; James 1:6
• Doing something to demonstrate your faith is part of your prayer - Nehemiah 4:9

ATMOSPHERE OF PRAYER

• Stop all activity - Psalm 46:10
• Find a place of solitude - Acts 10:9; Matthew 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16
• If you cannot find a place of solitude, make one - 2 Kings 4:33; Acts 9:40; Matthew 6:6
• Nature's solitude aids in prayer - Acts 16:13; 21:5; Luke 6:12

POSITIONS OF PRAYER

• Be culturally sensitive. Men uncover their heads; women need not - 1 Corinthians 11:4
• Sit - Nehemiah 1:4; 2 Samuel 7:18
• Lift, spread hands to praise Him - 1 Kings 8:38; 2 Chronicles 6:13-14; Psalm 88:9; 134:2; 141:2; 1 Timothy 2:8
• Kneel to show obedience - Daniel 6:10; Acts 9:40; 20:36; 21:5
• Stand - 2 Chronicles 6:12 (Standing in the New Covenant signifies our resurrection from the dead.)
• Clap, shout to God for joy - Psalm 47:1
• If it makes your brother uncomfortable to lift hands or kneel do you do it? Matthew 6:5; Romans 14:19-15:2

WHY DO WE . . .

• say "Amen"? 1 Corinthians 14:16; Nehemiah 8:6
• pray in Jesus' Name? John 14:13-14
• close our eyes? Do we have to? Galatians 5:1

HOW TO IDENTIFY A PERSON OF PRAYER

1. People of prayer find their outlet in prayer when faced with an obstacle, irritation, or need (1 Samuel 1:6-7, 16).
2. People of prayer find themselves under burdens that others don't always totally understand (1 Samuel 1:8).
3. People of prayer do their work in an atmosphere of worship (1 Samuel 1:9; Genesis 18).
1. Hannah stood up, foreshadowing of intercession in power of resurrection
4. People of prayer discover God's priorities and adjust themselves to them (1 Samuel 1:10-11)
1. Nazirite vow: Numbers 6:1-21 (Replacement for Samson?)
2. Was Hannah bargaining with God? "Before we are ready to receive many of God's blessings, we must commit them to Him. Surrender purifies and protects us from potential harm of God's gifts" - Larry Richards; DL Moody said that when something stands between you and Jesus' Lordship in your life, He will require it of you. If you give it up to Him, He will take it, but will give it back to you in a redeemed form, in it's proper place, better than anything you could imagine. John 12:4-8
5. People of prayer are sometimes misunderstood by the religious establishment (1 Samuel 1:12-13).
6. People of prayer have an uncanny way of finding favor (1 Samuel 1:5, 17-19).
7. People of prayer acknowledge God's answers to prayer (1 Samuel 1:19-20).
1. Hannah named her son "heard of God" - Samuel
8. People of prayer live a life of dedication to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:21-28).
1. They dedicate everything to Him.

IS THERE A GIFT OF INTERCESSION?

1. Intercession Holy Spirit's work and at His will: Isaiah 53:12; Jeremiah 15:1; Romans 8:26-27, 34; Hebrews 7:25

1. Capital I Intercessor? No, everyone is called to be like Jesus who is an intercessor. While there are people who feel called to a ministry of prayer in the Body of Christ, there is no such thing as a spiritual gift of intercession. Most intercessors confuse a gift of intercession with gifts of prophecy and mercy.
2. Nevertheless, church growth experts tell us that 2-3% of the Body of Christ consider a ministry of intercession as their primary calling in life. Intercession is a ministry, not a spiritual gift.
3. Intercessor Gift Profile: I have found two types of intercessors in general.
1. Mercy/Giving/Encouragement/Helps
2. Discernment/Prophecy/Exhortation

PRAYERWALKING

Steve Hawthorne: Praying on site with insight. Praying in the places where you want to see the answers.

Genesis 13:17-18; Joshua 1:2-3, 5-6; Romans 8:4-5; Ephesians 6:15

Luke 10:1-2, 5, 9, 17, 21: First pray, then proclaim.

• Be inconspicuous in your prayerwalking
• Arrow prayers.
• Ask God to show you how He sees the community. This is called listening prayer.
• Pray prayers of blessing.
• Speak to the Lord only - not demonic forces.

CRUCIAL ISSUES:

• Does God need intercessors?
• In this order: Isaiah 42:22; 49:8-9;10:14; Ezekiel 13:4-5; 22:30-31; Jeremiah 5:1; 7:16; 15:1; Hebrews 5:4
• Danger in Intercession: Worldly Sorrow, Godly Sorrow
• 2 Corinthians 7:10; Jeremiah 14:17-22
• Interaction between law enforcement and intercessors in a city/region:
• Isaiah 28:6

CORPORATE ISSUES

FOR GOD'S PEOPLE TO GRASP GOD'S VISION

Blackaby, Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership lists six ways vision is generated:

I. Vision is generated by:

1- Duplicating the success of others - ie., wholesale copying of other models, methodologies; e.g., Willow Creek, Saddleback - WORLDLY

2- Vanity - "try the impossible" to make it so big eeveryone will want to be on board; e.g., Jim Bakker - WORLDLY

3- Need-based - see a need and respond without knowing for sure it is God's assignment for us; e.g. homeless in Atlanta - WORLDLY

4- Resource-driven - doing something because the resource it there to do it; e.g., grant to work with children or Jesus Video distribution - WORLDLY

5- Leader generated - leader gets the vision and sells it to the people - WORLDLY

6- Revelation - vision, promise from God - SPIRITUAL

Numbers 11:24-30 - Hearing God together (corporately)

II. Process of Hearing God together results in

A. Getting the world out of us - prayer.

B. Receiving the revelational vision - prayer.

C. Learning to listen to God - prayer.

D. Ownership of the vision - prayer experienced together.

III. How to Hear God together

1. TIME WAITING in LISTENING prayer. Listening to others' prayers to see what is the flow of the Holy Spirit.
2. Scriptures in prayer most important. Pray a passage of Scripture.
3. Courtesy to others.
4. Short arrow prayers. We all see/hear in part. When we join our parts, the great mosaic message comes together.
5. Rehearsing where we have been, what God has said.
6. Prayers of blessing.

This means we must break wrong prayer habits (Matthew 6:5-8)

1- Prayer is not for spectacle, flowery words, show, preaching in your prayers (v. 5)

2- Realigning our treasury - room (v.6) tameion - treasure room, where treasure kept. Where is your treasure kept? (Matthew 6:33)

3- No mindless, rote ritual, same old thing. e.g., sick list praying. Say what is necessary, but be in an attitude of listening. Isaiah 65:24.

IV. What are the Requirements for Service? Exodus 35:20-29

Building the House of God (Tabernacle)

1- Willing (v. 21, 26, 29)

2- Your heart moves you (internal motivation) (v. 21)

3- Have skill (and you can always acquire skill) (v. 26)

4- Men and women alike are welcome (v. 22, 26, 29)

TRADITIONS: HEALTHY OR UNHEALTHY?

Tradition itself is neither good nor bad. Some traditions are healthy; some are unhealthy. How do we properly discern a tradition's health?

Jesus on tradition: Matthew 15:1-20; Mark 7:1-23

paradosis -- things "handed down," This is the wway we've always done it.

Jesus is not against tradition but participated in traditions (John 7:37). In Matthew 15/Mark 7, the Pharisees, out of their deep respect for the Scriptures had developed halaka, or interpretation to build a "hedge" around the Torah. It seems commendable, but the approach was dangerous because it led to legalistic attitudes which distorted the Law's intent.

Alfred Edersheim, Life & Times: "So this was all which these Pharisees and Scribes could see in the miracle of Christ's feeding of the Multitude - that it had not been done according to the Law! Most strange as it may seem, yet in the past history of the Church, and, perhaps, sometimes also in the present, this has been the only thing which some men have seen in the miraculous working of the Christ!"

Jesus pointed out two flaws in the Pharisees' approach: (1) Tradition had taken on authority of Scripture itself. Some of these "commandments of men" had substituted and contradicted Scripture. (2) Focus on what people do for God, not God's grace toward us. As a result, their hearts had become cold. It was only external religion, not vital, growing relationship. Jesus quoted Isaiah, saying that such traditional worship was "in vain" (maten - literally "purposeless" Matthew 15:9; Mark 7:7).

Jesus then turns His attention to the crowd. Larry Richards: "How often in church history have spiritual leaders been out of touch with God and revival been a lay movement!"

Key - Control of others. Colossians 22:8, 20; Galatians 4:9; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

If a tradition frees a people to see and celebrate God's works and promises, then it is healthy (e.g., Thanksgiving, Christmas, Resurrection Sunday, family reunions, Lent, dinner on grounds, homecoming, baptism, baby dedication, tail-gating, annual fishing trip) (teaching = tradition 1 Corinthians 11:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6).

If the tradition is used to control others or promote something other than righteousness, then it is unhealthy (Micah 6:16). Defensive denominationalism, Doctrinal obsessions, Legalism, conservatism, Reliance on church tradition to cause false security (e.g., "I have been confirmed." "I am a Baptist." "I was baptized as a child," etc), Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Science, Eastern Religions, Mormons, Freemasonry, Controlling leadership, Various controlling traditions in regard to corporate handling of money.

Three Crucial Areas of Cooperation in a Church Family

LAND ISSUES

DEFILEMENT: How Defilement takes place in a community or a person

1. IDOLATRY - Exodus 20; 34:5-14; Deuteronomy 12:2-3; Judges 2:1-3; 1 Kings 14:15ff; 15:11-15; 2 Kings 17:9-13; 23:3ff; Jeremiah 7:21-26, 30 (Witchcraft); 16:18 (Illustration: Sandersville, GA)

1. IMMORALITY - Leviticus 18, especially :22-25, 28, 30; Jeremiah 2; 3:1-10; 7:6

1. SHEDDING OF INNOCENT BLOOD - Genesis 4:8-12; Numbers 35:33-36; Psalm 79:1-3 (Martyrs); Isaiah 59:2-3; Jeremiah 7:6; Habakkuk 2:12; Jeremiah 22:17

1. BROKEN COVENANT - Isaiah 24:4-6; (See also bribes/covenant - Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 16:19; Psalm 26:10); Cursing the house of God - Psalm 74:7 (Illustration: Treaty of Sycamore Shoals, Dragging Canoe, Little Carpenter, Daniel Boone, William Henderson, "dark & bloody ground"). Cursing the House of God, Psalm 74:7

1. INJUSTICE or Oppression - Amos 1; Proverbs 23:11<

Healing the Land

1. Wounds on the land from defilement: Genesis 4:8-12
2. Confession 1 John 1:9 (Illustration: Statement of Apology to Kansas)
3. Repentance: 1 Chronicles 7:14
4. Forgiveness: (Illustration: Salkehatchie River, Rivers Bridge Battlefield, Ehrhardt, SC)
5. Speaking to the land: Ezekiel 36:1ff; Job:12:8 (Illustration: Fern Noble (Cree Nation): "Blood of Abel, in the Name of Jesus we command you to stop crying out for justice because justice has been served in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Blood of Jesus has covered this sin. Land, you be healed in the Name of Jesus."


When intercessor sides against the people: Jeremiah 18:19-23