Giving Ourselves To Praying For Others
The work of the Christian Church is intercession, which involves asking for and receiving heavenly gifts to benefit someone else
At that day ye shall ask in My name - John 16:26
To intercede is to pray on behalf of another.
We act as a go-between, or an advocate for someone.
Here are two examples from Mark:
In chapter seven, we see the Savior in the region of Decapolis (v. 31). In the next verse, they brought Him [one who was deaf] and they implored Him to lay His hand on him.
In chapter eight, Jesus is in Bethsaida. In verse 22, they brought Him a man who could not see, and again the ESV records they implored Him to touch him.
These people implored—asked fervently, pleading, begged—for the Lord to do what only He could do. In both instances, Jesus responds to imploring—the asking, by healing them.
Imploring is intercession
We may also ask the Lord for others near us to hear and to see Him.
Other Examples Of Intercession
And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. - Numbers 12:13
And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. - Job 42:10
And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep. - Acts 7:60
I thank God, whom I serve from [my] forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; - 2 Timothy 1:3 KJV
Moses, Job, Stephan, and Paul all prayed to the Lord for other people.
So did Abraham. He stood before the Lord and asked the city be spared for the sake of even 50 righteous. He continued to stand and ask, if even 10 were there (see Genesis 18:20-33).
And this is the work of Jesus. On the cross He went between us and the Father, between our just punishment and merciful forgiveness: “Father, forgive them”
Jesus Christ carries on intercession for us in heaven; the Holy Ghost carries on intercession in us on earth; and we the saints have to carry on intercession for all men. - Oswald Chambers
The work of the Christian Church today is intercession
The power of the Church truly to bless rests on intercession—asking and receiving heavenly gifts to carry to men. - E. M. Bounds
All our works, our ministry doings are for the glory of God, and ought to begin and end with intercessory praying. Our calendars should contain times of prayer meetings. Our closets need fervent intercessors.
The work of intercession is the greatest work a Christian can do. Give yourself as a sacrifice to God for men, and the work will become your glory and your joy, too. - Andrew Murray
This kind of prayer is heartfelt, persistent, and deeply concerned with the spiritual welfare of others. It is not satisfied with superficial blessings but seeks the highest spiritual good for those being prayed for. This fervency in prayer is a sign of a warm, loving heart that is deeply in tune with God's desires.
Fervent intercession is marked by intensity and zeal, and love for those the Lord loves.
Our prayer must not be self-centered. It must arise not only because we feel our own need as a burden we must lay upon God, but also because we are so bound up in love for our fellow men that we feel their need as acutely as our own. To make intercession for men is the most powerful and practical way in which we can express our love for them. - John Calvin
We see this in Paul’s prayer life.
The fervor of his praying is a reflection of his own spiritual life. His deep communion with God fuels his passionate intercession for others, making his prayers powerful and effective. Paul’s intensity to pray for others is a model and a challenge for all Christians to examine the quality and depth of our own praying.
Like Epaphras, we might not all preach, teach or evangelize, but we can all intercede.
Until next time, grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ…
Thank you brother Todd - yes all very edifying particular for those just starting out as intercessors. Praying Abba Father will open the eyes & ears of many in these last days to intercede more as "the fervent effectual prayer of a righteous one avails much". - James 5:16 Amein!
I agree with this perception of prayer.
I've also seen another sort of prayer, not for others but for myself, when a situation arises that's complex and difficult and I don't quite know how to deal with it. I explain the matter to God, maybe expressing my fear or frustration, maybe asking for solutions. But even if no solution arises, I find myself with the wisdom I need. In a case, maybe, where my character needed some correction it got it. I find myself changing often, but the situation very rarely.