Christ Calls Christians to Intercession

by Joy Lamb
Summer 1999

As Christians, we need to realize the importance of intercession. Our commitment to this task is vital to the healing of each other, our churches, our communities, our society and our world.

The literal meaning of intercession is "the lightning of God reaching the mark!" The Hebrew root of our word "intercession" is "pagah," which means "to strike the mark." It is a warfare term. So when we use the word "intercession" we are literally talking about warfare.

God is light. When He releases His light, lightning flashes and His glory is seen. Whatever is in view of His light is struck by it. "He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark" (Job 36:32).

God desires to strike the mark through His believers, who are the light of the world: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men ... " (Matthew 5: 14)

We need to hear the heart of our Father and release His light into our world through prayer. That is what the CHM intercessors are all about, and that is what every Christian intercessory group is doing — releasing God's light into the world so that it will strike the mark.

Furthermore, we have many examples of intercession in the Bible, beginning in the Old Testament. For example: "For the LORD will not cast away his people, for his great name's sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.. .far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you ... " (I Samuel 12:22–24). "The king said to the man of God, 'Entreat now the favor of the LORD your God, and pray for me, so that my hand may be restored to me.' So the man of God entreated the LORD; and the king's hand was restored to him, and became as it was before" (I Kings 13:6). " ... go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly ... " (Job 42:8).

In the book of Psalms, we are even told to pray specifically: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:6).

Perhaps Jesus is our perfect example of intercession. He is constantly interceding for us. If our desire is to become more like Him, let us recognize His model of prayer: " .. but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24–25).

Jesus even gives us the commandment to pray for our enemies: "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). " ... bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" (Luke 6:28).

And Paul often emphasized his need for others to intercede on his behalf: "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving. At the same time pray for us as well that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should" (Col. 4:3–4). "Beloved, pray for us" (I Thess. 5:25). "Finally, brothers and sisters, pray for us, so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you, and that we may be rescued from wicked and evil people; for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one" (II Thess. 3:1–3).

Paul also talked about how much he interceded for others: "To this end we always pray for you, asking that our God will make you worthy of his call and will fulfill by his power every good resolve and work of faith, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ" (II Thess. 1:11–12).

James, the brother of Christ and one of the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem, wrote his letter to Christians everywhere to help teach them the practice of Christianity. In it, he gives us a model of prayer: "Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest" ( James 5: 14–19).

In her prayer time recently, Joy Lamb was feeling a little discouraged, especially in light of recent events in the news, and she prayed, "Lord, oh Lord, hear my plea to hear You. Is my prayer too redundant? As I roll call all those for whom I pray, is it boring to your ears? Am I stuck in a rut, or am I right on? I only want to do what You want me to do."

And God answered: "Continue to do exactly as you are doing. It pleases me. Your prayers are jewels upon My altar. You are chosen, and your prayers to Me are chosen. Each time you lift a name, My Spirit listens. You, through your prayers, are preparing people's hearts for My home where I will dwell in them. My Word is the answer — always pray My Word! My Word is so simple, yet so powerful. Continue. Bless you this day, My precious child."

So be encouraged! And continue to pray diligently. Know that your prayers do not go unheard. God loves to hear them. And He does answer them.

Joy Lamb is the Director of Intercessory Prayer Ministry at CHM.