“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…”
— 1 Timothy 2:1 (NIV)
> Intercessory prayer—praying on behalf of others—is a profound privilege and responsibility granted to believers in Christ. Through it, lives are changed, relationships are healed, nations are shaped, and, most importantly, God’s will is manifested on earth. This article explores the biblical value of intercessory prayer for the one in need, the praying intercessor, and others who may be indirectly impacted. We will also consider what constitutes effective prayer, hindrances to answered prayer, and how our willingness or reluctance to pray can affect God’s response.
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The Value to the One for Whom We Pray
Intercessory prayer is a means by which God’s grace, healing, and intervention are sought for someone else. We see biblical examples where prayer directly changes situations:
- Deliverance & Healing:
Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him… The chains fell off Peter’s wrists. (Acts 12:5-7) - Restoration:
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…” (John 17:20)
Even Jesus interceded for future believers, illustrating the ongoing power and reach of intercession.
“God does nothing except in response to believing prayer.”
— John Wesley
The Benefit for the Intercessor
When we intercede, God works not only in the subject’s life, but in our own. Intercession fosters compassion, humility, and spiritual growth.
- Spiritual Growth:
Praying for others aligns our hearts with the purposes of Christ and deepens our dependence on the Holy Spirit. - Obedience and Partnership:
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.”
— Martin Luther
The Ripple Effect: Blessing Others Indirectly
Intercessory prayer frequently impacts people who aren’t even the direct subject. Families, communities, and even nations may be blessed.
- Wider Blessing:
When Job prayed for his friends, “the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). - Corporate Revival:
In Acts 4:31, after the believers prayed, “the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Elements of Effective Intercessory Prayer
Effective intercession is not formulaic, but certain biblical elements are evident:
- Faith:
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22) - Persistence:
Jesus told the parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) to show that we should always pray and not give up. - Compassion & Love:
Sincere concern for others, not mere ritual, is crucial (1 John 4:7; Philippians 1:9-11). - Righteousness:
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16b)
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.”
— Oswald Chambers
Hindrances to Effective Prayer
Several Scriptures warn of obstacles that can hinder our intercession:
- Unconfessed Sin:
“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” (Psalm 66:18) - Lack of Forgiveness:
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them…” (Mark 11:25) - Doubt/Unbelief:
“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…” (James 1:6-7) - Wrong Motives:
“When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives…” (James 4:3)
The Presence or Absence of Intercession: Impact on God’s Response
Scripture shows that intercession can make a critical difference.
- Intercession Averts Judgment:
God sought someone to “stand in the gap” for Israel (Ezekiel 22:30). Because no one did, judgment came. - Moses Intercedes:
When Israel sinned, Moses’ intercession swayed God’s merciful response (Exodus 32:11-14). - Absence Can Hasten Loss:
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap…but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
The Call to Intercede
Believers are called to pray for all people: leaders, the sick, the unsaved, and the Church (1 Timothy 2:1-4; James 5:14-16; Colossians 1:9-12). As Christ is our High Priest, so we participate in His ongoing intercession (Hebrews 7:25).
“Let us not neglect the great ministry of intercession. Souls depend on it. Nations depend on it. Eternity will reveal the difference it has made.”
— Unknown
Final Encouragement
Take up the sacred ministry of intercession as an expression of Christ’s love in you. Your prayers matter. They impact destinies, open doors, change hearts, and invite God’s will into impossible situations.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
— James 5:16 (KJV)
Begin today—stand in the gap for a friend, a neighbor, your nation, or someone burdened. Your intercession could be the very thing God uses to bring hope and change to a world in need.
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