Preparing to Intercede – The Prayer of Intercession
The Prayer Armor
Ephesians 6:10-18 – “…having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith… And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God…” (vv.14-17)
This armor is used to wrestle against Satan’s powers through prayer.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (v.4).
The armor of God is predominantly used in intercession.
This is the same armor worn by Jesus.
Isaiah 59:16 – “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness it sustained him.”
Jesus has always been an intercessor, He is still giving His life for us as the Intercessor for the saints.
Hebrews 7:25 – “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
We have the same calling as Jesus.
Ephesians 6:18 – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
Intercessory Prayer Demands Patience
To intercede (literally): to get the ear of the king for someone else.
You must realize that the person for whom you are praying has his own will.
You must be strong in faith, strong in your confession, and very patient.
The force of patience is what supports your faith.
Hebrews 10:35 – “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”
It is vital that you not be moved by what you see.
Don’t Ever Give Up When Interceding
Luke 11:5-8 – “And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves” (v.5). “I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth” (v.8).
Your prayer will work even if it’s the darkest hour.
Importunity: will not give up
Luke 11:9-10 – “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
The guarantee that your prayer will work.
Intercessory Prayer Is the Key to Evangelism
Revival comes as a result of the prayer of intercession.
Example:
Mark 1:35-37 – “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into the solitary place, and there prayed” (v.35). “And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee” (v.37).
Notice that the disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to preach, they said, “Teach us to pray.”
The powerful sermons were a result of good praying.
E.M. Bounds said, “Before you can talk well to men about God, you must first be able to talk well to God for men.”
Interceding with the Help of the Holy Spirit
Romans 8:26-27 – “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
The Holy Spirit will help you pray the perfect will of God.
