What Is Intercessory Prayer? 

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by Fiverr Fiverr

Today we will be explaining what Intercessory prayer is.

What is Intercessory Prayer?

Intercessory prayer is a kind prayer that is done on behalf of another person. Intercession is the act of mediation or standing in a gap for someone through prayer. The power of Intercession can not be overemphasized. Christ played a major role in the Intercession. He stood up to the task of what could have caused a permanent separation between man and God. Even when he was bitterly beaten and was at the verge of death, Christ still interceded for the people saying Father Forgive Them Because They Know Not What They Are Doing (Luke 23:34).

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Intercessory prayer is powerful in the life of everyone. While prayer is a communication chain between man and God, not everyone can pray. Also, there are certain times in the life of even a believer that the courage to pray will be absent. The Intercession of others will be the saving strength at such moments. Such is the case of Apostle Peter. When Peter was thrown into the prison, the scripture recorded that he had given up. He accepted fate already. 

However, the church prayed fervently for him. God, moved by the prayers of the saint, sent an angel to rescue Peter. That is the power of Intercession. 

What is the importance of Intercessory Prayer? 

Intercessory prayer helps the weak, the strong and those that don’t even believe in the existence of God. God is always present in every situation of our lives, so it is right for us to say that He knows our heart desires even before we ask. 

Nevertheless, God always wants us to ask things through prayer. There are instances that God will not act unless we invite him into the situation. The Children of Israel were perfect examples. For years they languish in pain and torment. All the while God was just looking at them. Until the day the children of Israel remembered that their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob used to serve a God. 

They called unto God through prayers. Their Intercession to save the land of Israel led to the emergence of Moses as the deliverer. In most cases, God has shown to exude due respect to the Intercession of man. 

We can see from the story of Abraham. How God had sent the angel of destruction into the land of Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy it. The scripture recorded that Abraham intercede on behalf of the nation. Abraham’s intercession saved Lot and his family. 

Also, God showed His respect to Intercession when Christ came to the world to die for the sin of man. After the fall of man in the garden, man lost his place in the plan of God. And as each generation passes, man continues to wallow deep in the toxic of sin and damnation. The blood of the lamb was sufficient to clean the sin of man. 

Christ came, served as a mediator between man and God. And through his blood man was restored back to his creator. 

The importance of intercessory prayer can not be overemphasized. James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 

When we intercede for one another, we carry each other’s burden. When we burn in our secret place on behalf of another person, it shows how responsible and loving we are. Even God wants us to intercede for one another and even for our country. Psalm 122:6 Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. This means when we pray for other people, we pray for ourselves. 

Is Intercessory Prayer Necessary?

The scripture emphatically told us in the book of 1 Thessalonians 5:17 pray continually. We must not stop interceding.

One of the mistakes intercessors make is thinking intercession should only be done when things are not going right. We must not wait till things are awfully bad before we intercede. Even when things are going fine, we must still intercede for the people we love and care about. 

Also when things are bad for people. Our intercession could be our gift to that person. Of course the person might not have the slightest clue that we are making such sacrifices for them. But it is open to us and God. So we must endeavor to pray all the time. 

What Should I Do If Answers Don’t Come After Interceding? 

When you have prayed and still nothing is happening, that should not make you stop praying. You just keep praying until your prayers have been answered. 

Sometimes God just wants us to intercede further. The truth is, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah could have gotten another chance of repentance, if only Abraham had interceded further. 

So when you have interceded for someone and you are still not getting a result, intensify your prayers. 

Bible Verses For Intercessory Prayer

• • Psalm 85:7 Show us your mercy, O Lord, and give us your salvation. 
  • Psalm 20:9 Lord, save our rulers! Answer us in the day we call! 
  • Psalm 132:9 May your servants be clothed with righteousness. May your favored ones shout for joy. 
  • Psalm 28:9 Save your people, and bless the people that belong to you. Shepherd them, and carry them forever. 
  • Chronicles 20:15 Give us peace in our time, For there is no one who fights for us but you, O Lord.
  • Psalm 51:10 Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew an unwavering spirit within me.

Short Intercessory Prayer

• Father Lord, I stand in gap as an Intercessor for everyone who has been looking up to you for something, I ask that you answer them speedily today. I pray that the problem that is making them shed tears secretly, I ask that you turn it into a testimony openly in the name of Jesus Christ.
• Lord, I interceed over the Country, father, grant is the grace of a good leader. A leader that is a man or woman after your heart. We take the affairs of this away from the hands of people who are only concerned about themselves. Lord, let your power reign over this country. 
• Father, I intercede for every sick person, I ask that you will arise and save your people in the name of Jesus Christ.