HINTS ON INTERCESSION - part two
HINT #7:- INTERCEDE WITH OTHERS
There are instances in the scriptures where we see people coming together to pray, resulting in powerful manifestations of God on the earth. Jesus wanted the trio of Peter, James and John to stand with him in Prayer. When we intercede with others in prayer, the force of Unity in heaven is released to cause things to happen on the earth. This is not to remove from the vitality of private prayer, but you must not be unaware of the great riches there is in interceding for others.
As earlier stated, the force of unity is released when we pray and intercede together. The scripture reveals a principle of unity which states that: one would chase a thousand and two would chase ten thousand! God’s multiplier effect is released upon us as we intercede with others.
The church in Jerusalem joined together to commit to praying for the deliverance of Peter from the imprisonment of Herod. It was recorded that prayer was made for him fervently by the church to God. God responded by sending an angel to effect his getaway. Time and again, we see Paul requesting that the churches he relates with pray for him. He knows the importance of the church coming together to pray for him. The effect is tremendous. No wonder Paul did mighty things in his life time.
Jesus promised that if two of us shall agree together as touching anything, it shall be done. That should stir up faith in us as we pray the prayer of intercession with others. Don’t shy away from joining others to intercede. Move away from being selfish, move into the compassion of Jesus and let him use you in a group for the purpose of intercessory prayer. Beware of the spirit of isolationism which deceives that it is best to do things alone always.
Every church must cultivate the habit of praying intercessory prayer. The effect is awesome in the realm of the Spirit. When we pray together, the same force that binds the Trinity is released among us.
To intercede together, everyone in the group must be of one mind towards one another. In other words, we are not just praying together for show but our hearts are knitted together as one and the intercession is done in harmony – exactly as God wants it to be. He wants us to agree on earth and he will act accordingly.
HINT #8:- INTERCEED UNTIL ANSWERS COME
God wants us to intercede until there is the assurance that all the forces aligned against the fulfillment of our prayer of intercession have been dealt with. Again we see an example in the case of the church putting up a prayer effort on behalf of Peter. They did not put a time limit on their praying but they prayed until the answer came.
Elijah is a prime example of the principle of praying until something happens (PUSH). We were told that he prayed concerning seeing changes in the nation of Israel, seeking to see them turn from being Idol worshippers to serve the only true God. As recorded in the book of James, the intercessory prayer work of Elijah was potent. He prayed until he saw clouds beginning to form in the sky, signaling the end of the three-year drought in the land of Israel.
Prayer of intercession cannot be done in half measure. You need to put some vigour into it. Don’t be discouraged because of seemingly lack of immediate result. Your words are being heard by God. The seeming lack of immediate answer is a test to know what depth of conviction you are bringing to bear on the task of praying. Don’t give up; God is on your side. Pray the prayer of intercession until you see the change you are looking for in your family, in your church and in your nation. God is faithful; he would honour and reward your labour of love in the place of prayer.
HINT #9:- INTERCEED FOR REGIONS
This level of intercession focuses on people located in specific geographical locations. It could be a street, a town, a county, a city, a country, a continent, subcontinent or continent as God would direct you. People involved in mass evangelism of a necessity must intercede for the region of their concern so that people may be turned from the kingdom of darkness to Christ’s kingdom of light. The enemy blinds people until serious prayer effort is directed towards releasing God’s light and loosen Satan’s hold on the people.
Prophet Samuel spoke of himself as being committed to praying for Israel. In the same vain, since God wants to shine the light of his truth on whole regions, make yourself available for this noble task of intercession.
Apostle Paul exclaimed that his sincere desire and prayer for Israel is that they might be saved – what is your own passion? We saw Abraham taking on the task of standing before God to intercede for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah – how can you follow his example? Allow God to help you focus on interceding for your street, your town or your country today. God will reward and bless you as you do so.
HINT #10:- INTERCEED BY STANDING AGAINST SATAN.
Prayer is important - even Satan knows this. Our prayers of intercession serve to thwart Satan’s agenda on the earth. If you sense any machination of the enemy against someone, it is your responsibility to take on the whole amour of God and wrestle off the enemy. Paul informed us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood i.e. ordinary humans, but we wrestle against a demonic hierarchy of wickedness. In the same breath, he informed us that we should pray at all times in the Spirit. This implies that it is in the place of prayer that we wrestle demonic beings which are located in the spirit world.
Be alive in the spirit in the place of intercessory prayer and frustrate the devices of the enemy.
HINT #11:- INTERCEED FOR LONG.
How long should intercessory prayer take? One hour, two hours…? Great intercessors have been trained to intercede for long duration of time. God wants to do great things on this earth. The longer we pray, the greater opportunity God has to move in the life of others according to our request. God has put man on the earth, and through prayer he has designed that he would act on it: since he uses our prayers as the raw material for doing stuffs on the earth. Respond to the burden of God’s Spirit, as he makes demands on you to tarry long in the place of intercessory prayer.
HINT #12:- INTERCEED FOR LEADERS.
We have leaders in different spheres of life. They are in positions of authority and influence. The scriptures in the writing of Paul commanded that we should pray for kings and all who are in authority. If they do the will of God, it would lead to us living a life of tranquility – a quite life in all godliness and dignity. Therefore, if we pray for leaders, we are indirectly praying for ourselves. Leaders carry a greater burden than the rest of the general populace. Moses knew this too well, that was why he needed the help of Aaron and Hur to help lift his weary hands up during one of the battles of Israel. (Lifting up the hands was directly linked to victory on the battle field.) This is what leaders need us to do for them – to lift up there hands spiritually in the place of the prayer of intercession. Intercede for political leaders, church leaders, family leaders, e.t.c.; they need your prayer of intercession.
