One of the ways that God speaks to us is through intercession. When I began interceding at twenty-five years of age, I didn’t know there was a word for what I was doing. I just knew that my heart would become deeply burdened for people, and God would tell me or show me what to pray for them.
The word intercede comes from two latin words inter and ced, which, when combined means go between. It’s simply standing in the gap for others through prayer.
When I began to intercede, it was for some difficult neighbors. Since they had dealt drugs and were bringing a lot of chaos to our apartment complex, I had prayed for God to move them, but instead, He moved on my heart.
Quick prayers turned into hours of praying, many times until the early morning. As the Lord showed me their wounds and had me pray for salvation and healing and to break bondages in their lives, I, sometimes, could even feel their pain. In turning my prayers, God turned my heart, and I truly learned to love my enemies.
Intercession doesn’t always have to be long. Many times, God has stirred me to drop whatever I was doing and pray short intense 911 kinds of prayers. By the end of the day, I would usually hear how God had rescued or protected the person for which He had me pray.
I believe that all Christians should be intercessors. The Bible says that we are to bear one another’s burdens. I believe that means in prayer, as well as in fellowship and in supplying needs.
I mentioned in one of the stories in my book, Aha! about a time when my mother interceded for me when I was in danger. It wasn’t about what Mom knew, it was all about whom she knew. Mom was so connected to the Lord, she seemed to always be on call.
I’ll never forget one time when I was visiting her in the 1980’s. Mom walked into the room holding a piece of paper on which she had written a long Russian name. She told me that she didn’t know who the person was, but she had prayed for him all day. That night, there was a news report about a man who had just defected from Russia. His name was the name on her paper.
God knows names, hearts, and circumstances. When we intercede for others, we get a glimpse of His heart and His understanding. What a priveledge to yolk with Him prayer!
I have to admit, I haven’t interceded for hours in a while, but the other day, an e-mail I received from a broken person stirred my heart so much that I cried as I prayed. My heart is still burdened for them and for others going through similar struggles.
Intercession connects us with the heart of Father God. If you ever want more understanding about Father God’s heart, pray for others. Ask the Lord what to pray. Ask Him for revelation. Ask Him to let you stand in the gap and bear another’s burdens. The scriptures say to ask and you will receive. If you ask for wisdom about how to pray, I guarantee, you will receive more than you can think or imagine.
May you be abundantly blessed!
Jeannie
Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV).
James 5:16 “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (NKJV).