What is Intercessory Prayer?

[Lively Stone]

Question: "What is intercessory prayer?"

Answer: Quite simply, intercessory prayer is the act of praying on behalf of others. The role of mediator in prayer was prevalent in the Old Testament, in the cases of Abraham, Moses, David, Samuel, Hezekiah, Elijah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Christ is pictured in the New Testament as the ultimate intercessor, and because of this, all Christian prayer becomes intercession since it is offered to God through and by Christ. Jesus closed the gap between us and God when He died on the cross. Because of Jesus' mediation, we can now intercede in prayer on behalf of other Christians or for the lost, asking God to grant their requests according to His will. "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus

[larry2]

Hebrews 4:16  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
 
Here all in the body of Christ are invited to come directly to God for help. We need but ask in Jesus' name; our intercessor.

Romans 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Now this is the first hint that there could be a problem with a certain one needing prayer, but not knowing how to approach God, or having too little faith to do so. We can be quite effectual as the righteous man, or woman with the prayer that availeth much.
 
1 Thessalonians 5:25  Brethren, pray for us.

Psalms 122:6  Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. 

To me the two above requests are for our good to be in harmony with God by praying for them. God does not need our prayer to accomplish that which He plans for them.

[Lively Stone]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

[fish153]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

[Lively Stone]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

There is a quality of God that makes me awestruck always when I am reminded of it, and that is how He literally limits Himself to working through His people. If we don't obey Holy Spirit's prompts to pray or intercede, it won't get done---at least by us. God will move on from the resistant vessel and urge another He trusts to obey.

Oh, to be considered trustworthy by Dad!


More manna to you, fishy!

[JMT]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

Yes...and on the EXTREEM PRIVELEGE to pray part... ::blushing::you are so right!  Its why I feel SO utterly convicted when I say to someone, "all we can do is pray" as if it is a passive, hands tied, last ditch effort kind of thing to be doing!
God's word tells us the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much, and that is POWER!   

[fish153]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

Yes...and on the EXTREEM PRIVELEGE to pray part... ::blushing::you are so right!  Its why I feel SO utterly convicted when I say to someone, "all we can do is pray" as if it is a passive, hands tied, last ditch effort kind of thing to be doing!
God's word tells us the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much, and that is POWER!    

I heard this story (not sure if it is entirely true or not) that a big church in Texas decided to have a prayer meeting out by a receding lake, as there had been no rain for quite some time. They were there to ask God to provide the much needed rain they needed for their crops. Apparently over a thousand people showed up, professing power in prayer,  but only one little girl out of that huge crowd brought an umbrella with her.  

[Lively Stone]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

Yes...and on the EXTREEM PRIVELEGE to pray part... ::blushing::you are so right!  Its why I feel SO utterly convicted when I say to someone, "all we can do is pray" as if it is a passive, hands tied, last ditch effort kind of thing to be doing!
God's word tells us the effective prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much, and that is POWER!    

I heard this story (not sure if it is entirely true or not) that a big church in Texas decided to have a prayer meeting out by a receding lake, as there had been no rain for quite some time. They were there to ask God to provide the much needed rain they needed for their crops. Apparently over a thousand people showed up, professing power in prayer,  but only one little girl out of that huge crowd brought an umbrella with her.  

I don't know whether to rejoice or lament! That little girl's faith showed them all up!

[p.rehbein]

It is by prayer that God will move in a life, often.

James 4:2b
Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it.

I have to admit that as a Christian one of things that has always been hard to totally understand is prayer.  God can most certainly do anything he wants----Jesus said "The Father knows what you need before you ask Him".

But God has ordained prayer as taking a major part in the way he works.  He has graciously included us in His plans and in many cases does not work until someone prays.  He asks us to pray, and then responds to the very prayer He has inspired within us.  And it is an EXTREME PRIVELEGE to pray.  We forget that sometimes---but it is so true.

This verse from Ezekiel is often quoted when speaking of Intercessory prayer:

"And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none" (Ezek 22:30)

thanks Fish when I first read the OP earlier today, this was the Scripture that leapt into my poor, tired mushy gray matter......

We should ALL strive to be standing in the gap!