As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you.

1 Samuel 12:23

1. What are the most common reasons you intercede for others? (e.g., ill health, financial needs, marital problems)

Intercession in the Old Testament

2. To intercede means to plead on behalf of someone. What words does Ezk. 22:30–31 use to describe this intercessory role?

3. The Old Testament contains several examples of "pleaders" who stood in the gap between God and His people. For each passage below, identify the intercessor, identify those being prayed for, describe the circumstances leading to the prayer, summarize the content of the prayer, and describe God's response.

4. What similarities do you observe in the circumstances surrounding each of the above prayers?

5. Do you commonly find yourself interceding for people because of their sin? If not, why do you think such prayer is rare today?

6. Why do you think it might have been more common in Old Testament times?

Intercession in the New Testament

7. According to Ro. 8:26–27, who is interceding regularly for us?

8. What makes the Spirit's intercession especially effective?

9. Romans 8:34 describes someone else who intercedes for us. Who is it?

10. According to Heb. 4:15, what is one reason Jesus is a uniquely effective intercessor for us?

11. In the following descriptions of Jesus' intercession, match the passage with the object of His intercession.

Is. 53:12      a weak believer

Lk. 22:32     the church

Lk. 23:34     sinners

Jn. 17:9        enemies

12. Jesus' prayer in John 17 is a beautiful example of intercessory prayer for believers. List Jesus' prayer requests for His disciples and other believers.

13. Imagine Jesus praying these things specifically for you. Which of these requests are most meaningful to you in light of your present circumstances? Why?

Preparation for Prayer

14. Read Eph. 6:10–18. According to vv. 10–11, how should we prepare for prayer?

15. Why is such preparation necessary (v. 12)?

16. Describe in your own words what it means to put on the whole armor of God.

17. Once we've put on the armor of God, what are we to do (v. 18)?

18. Second Chronicles 20 describes another way to prepare for "battle." Before even engaging the enemy, what did Jehoshaphat and his people do (vv. 18–22)?

19. Why do you think it is important that praise and worship precede the battle of intercession?

Putting It into Practice

20. If his letters are any indication, the Apostle Paul was a committed intercessor for the early church. List his prayer requests for his fellow believers in the following prayers.

Eph. 3:14–19

Col. 1:9–12

2 Thess. 1:11–12

21. What are some other things we can pray for people?

Mt. 6:13

Eph. 1:17–19

Eph. 6:19–20

Phil. 1:9–11

Phil. 4:19

Col. 4:3–4

2 Thess. 2:16–17

2 Tim. 1:7

Jas. 5:13–16

22. Do these prayer requests differ from the way you usually pray for people? If so, how?

23. In the following chart, list the names of people you feel a burden to pray for, by category.

24. Now review the prayer requests from questions 12, 20, and 21. On your chart, beside each person's name, place the reference of the verse you want to pray for him or her.

25. Complete the following sentence: To make time to pray for the people on my chart, I will

26. What is one way you would like to change or strengthen the way you pray for others?