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In Biblical terms, intercession involves someone faithfully and continually pleading-particularly to God-for the need of another person (or group of people). The prayer is for the lord to take action in their situation. Daniel's prayer in ch. 9 is an intercessory prayer, in which he identifies with his fellow Jews. He confesses their sin and plead with God to forgive and restore Jerusalem and the entire nation. The Bible also records the intercession of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, as well as that of many godly men and women throughout both the old and new testaments.

Daniel 9:3

So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes.

The Intercession Of Christ And The Holy Spirit

(1) During His earthly ministry, Jesus prayed for those who were spiritually lost (i.e., who did not have a personal relationship with God and were not following his purposes) because they are the one He came "to seek and to save" (Luke 19:10). He was brokenhearted and in tears as he entered the rebellious city of Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). He prayed for His disciples both individually and as a group. He even prayed for his enemies while he hung dying on the cross.

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. - Luke 23:34

(2) The ministry of Christ at present is to intercede for us to His Father, i.e., God (Romans :34;Hebrew 7:25). John calls Jesus the" one who speaks to the Father in our defense" (1John 2:1). Christ's intercession is necessary to our salvation and our ongoing relationship with God (Isaiah 53:12). Without God's grace, mercy and help that are made available through the constant prayers of Jesus Christ, our relationship with God would fail. We would fall away from Him and once again becomes slaves to sin

(3) The Holy Spirit is also involved in intercession. Paul states, "We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express" (Romans 8:26). The Holy Spirit-through the human spirit of those who know Christ intercedes "in accordance with God's will" (Romans 8:27). That is to say, the Holy Spirit communicates with the Father in perfect unity with God's purposes. Thus, Jesus intercedes for the believers from heaven, the Spirit intercedes within the believer on earth.

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The Intercession Of The Believer

The Bible often refers to the intercessory prayers of God's people and records numerous examples of remarkable, powerful prayers.
(1) In the old testaments, kings, prophets and priests led the way in intercessory prayers for the nation of God's people. Outstanding examples of old testaments intercessions include Abraham's prayers for Ishmael and for Sodom and Gomorrah, David's prayer for a son, and Job's prayer for his children. In Moses's life we see the supreme old testaments example of the power of intercessory prayer. There were times when he pleaded with God for the very lives and future of God's chosen people. For example, after the Isrealites rebelled against the lord and refused to go into Canaan,耠God told Moses that He would destroy them and start a greater nation through Moses (Numbers 14:1-12). Moses then took the matter to the lord in prayer and pleaded for the people (Numbers 14:13-19). At the conclusion of Moses' prayer God said, "I have forgiven them as you asked" (Numbers 14:20). Other powerful old testament intercessors include Elijah, Daniel and Nehemiah.

(2) the new testaments also gives many examples of intercessory prayers. The Gospels (the four scriptural accounts of Jesus' life: Matthew, mark, Luke, John) record how parents and others interceded with Jesus for their loved ones. Parents pleaded to Jesus to heal their sick children (Mark 5:22-43; John 4:47-53); a group of mothers asked Jesus to bless their children (Mark 10:13); a man pleaded for his servant to be healed (Matthew 8:6-13); and the mother of James and John interceded with Jesus regarding her sons (Matthew 20:20-21).

(3) The new testament churches frequently interceded on behalf of various individuals. For example, the church in Jerusalem gathered to pray for Peter's release from prison (Act 12:5, 12). The church in Antioch pray for the success of the ministry of Barnabas and Paul (Act 13:3). James specifically instruct leaders in the church to pray for the sick (James 5:14) and for all Christians to "pray for each other" (James 5:15; Hebrews 13:18-19). Paul goes one step further and asked that praters be offered for everyone (1Timothy 2:1-3).

(4) The Apostle Paul deserves special mention. In many of his letters, he tells of his own prayers for various churches or individuals. occasionally, he records his prayers in the letters (e.g., Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:14-19), At the same time, Paul frequently ask churches to pray for him, knowing that only through their prayers would his ministry have its fullest effect (Romans 15:30-32; 2Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18-20).

Purposes Of Intercessory Prayers

In the numerous intercessory prayers in the Bible, many of God's faithful people pleaded with him to withhold His judgement (Genesis 18:23-32; Numbers 14:13-19), to restore His people (Nehemiah 1; Daniel 1), to rescue individuals from danger (Act 12:5, 12; Romans 15:31) and to bless His people (Numbers 6:24-26; 1Kings 18:41-45). Intercessors also prayed for the Holy Spirit's power to come (Act 8:15-17) and for people to be healed. People in the old testaments and new testaments offered prayers to God for the forgiveness of sin and for people in authority to lead well. They also prayed for the spiritual growth of believers, for effective pastors, for effective mission works, for the spiritual salvation of others and for people to praise God. Anything that the Holy Spirit or the Bible reveals as God's will-His desires, plans and purposes-becomes the timely focus for intercessory prayers. one unfailing principle that God always honors is the power of continued, enduring prayer and faith.

Always pray for someone everyday and as you do so, you are praying for yourself.
Thanks for reading and remain blessed.
Shalom.

[NIV Study Edition Bible]

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