Intercession Intercession Study
We use the word Intercessions in the Anglican Church for the prayers that we use in our services. This usually means that we pray for the Church, the Nation, the world, the sick and anything else that is on own hearts. We often use a set form of words with which we feel comfortable, this has the advantage that we don't omit any of the prayers that we have come to expect. However I see these prayers as petition, we are asking God for the things that we believe are necessary. These prayers have been beautifully written but many of us have come to depend on this form of words. If we are willing to move into extempore prayer, we can still use the regular pattern, the prayer begins to change and we enjoy a greater freedom. To intercede is to stand in the "gap" praying for others or for events. Two Old Testament scriptures help us look at the role of an intercessor.
"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none ". (Ezek 22:30 (NIV)
He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. (Isa 59:16 (NIV))
However when we come to the New Testament we find that Jesus is "The Intercessor" but we are told to become like Him, in fact to be part of Him, one with Him. This excites me for it applies to us all, we are all called to Intercession, it is not a special form of prayer for a privileged few. Some may be more "gifted" than others but God is calling us all to come closer to Him and receive the gift of Himself. It is part of our journey of seeking God, we can allow Him to draw us close so that the prayer is precious and intimate, with or without words. Our hearts reach out and can be touched by the heart of God.
This can bring tears and pain and the prayer is something that is born of the Holy Spirit, it is maintained by the Spirit and the Spirit brings it to fruition. This prayer is very different from our prayers of petition but that is a very good starting point. Many prayers come between these types, but the Holy Spirit will guide us in how we pray. Usually our prayers are very much of ourselves with help from the Holy Spirit, but under the anointing of God which can be very strong, we are able to move into the realms of intercession.
But we can move on even from what we might understand as intercession, even into a much more contemplative prayer. Gone are the cries and pleading to the Lord, now the prayer is His only. We feel a peace, knowing that it is only for His will to be done and His name to be glorified - no matter what the cost. We just have to trust Him now, we feel His love and we can even feel His holiness.
But still there is more, for infused contemplation is a gift. To seek it however is not the way forward, we must seek the Giver, God Himself.
In recent years God has shown me something of the importance of us all being willing to let Him have His way with His Church. He wants a Holy Church that is so in love with Him that it can't help but be obedient.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." This is John 14:15, but the next verse gives us a promise, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth.............."
Are we ready to acknowledge that we all have a lot more to learn about prayer which is our contact with Him?
But we don't know anything today that has not been known by the saints of past ages!
I did a study of intercessors in order to discover more of the nature of Intercession, whether it is a gift or a calling. I found this valuable and so I am sharing it with you. It was limited in length to about 7000 words which means that much more could have been included, but it will give you a starting point. I offer it to encourage the Church and I trust God to use it for His Glory.
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