1 Timothy 2:1
“ Thefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks be made for all men” NKJV
Another translation states “… and all manner of prayer…”
So far in this course, we have concentrated on fellowship with God and hearing God’s voice while in prayer. There are many other types or forms or functions of prayer. In this lesson, we will study about Intercession and Supplication.
Intercessions - Intercession is made to God on behalf of someone that has no standing with God at all (i.e. a sinner). We must appear before God on their behalf, because they cannot.
Supplications – Supplication is made to God on behalf of someone that has standing with God. (I.e. a Christian). We go before God to supplement his/her prayers rather than going in their stead.
In the Greek, the word translated “Intercession” is enteuxis (ent’-yook-sis) which means “a falling in with, meeting with, an interview, a coming together, to visit, converse or for any other cause, the for which an interview is held, a conference or conversation, a petition or supplication.” The word translated “Supplication” is deesis (dah-ay-sis), which means, “need, indigence, want, privation, a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man.”
As you can see, the definitions are very closely related. Basically, the same thing is going on. The only thing that differs is if they are “in Christ” or “still in the world.” As far as function is concerned, they will both be dealt with the same.
Here are some statements that great men of God have said about Prayer:
“This is why prayer is where the action is and why prayer should be the main business of the Church. God does nothing except by prayer.” Paul E. Billheimer, Destined to Overcome.
“ The Greatest thing anyone can do for God is to pray.” And “You can do more than prayer AFTER you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed.” S.D.Gordon
“ God shapes the world by prayer. The more prayer there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces of against evil … The prayers of God’s saints are the capital stock of heaven by which God carries on His great work upon the earth. God conditions the very life and prosperity of His cause on prayer.” E.M. Bounds, Complete works of E. M. Bounds on Prayer.
“ 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 found none. So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” Almighty God, Ezekiel 22:30,31
A.
God is looking for someone to stand in the Gap.
“ I looked in vain for anyone who would build again the wall of righteousness that guards the land, who could stand in the gap and defend you from my just attacks, but I found not one.” Ezek. 22:20 Living Bible
God is looking for those to intercede through to change the course of Human lives. Are you willing to answer the call?
Some have thought that when we intercede, we are trying to change the mind of God. This is impossible.
(1) God’s Character – God is unchangeable. God is always extremely right. He cannot make a mistake. He is the only divine constant in the Universe. Therefore, He cannot change!
(2) It is God that changes our minds.
“ Delight yourself also in the Lord, And he shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And he shall bring [it] to pass.” Psalm 37:4-5 NKJV
Many read this that if I delight in the Lord, He’s going to give me all the “stuff” I have been wanting. Let’s look at it a little further: (1) I delight myself in the Lord, (2) He places new desires within my heart, (3) I commit my way to Him and trust Him, (4) He will bring those desires to pass in my life. GOD GAVE AND BROUGHT TO PASS THE DESIRES.
“ For it is God who works in you both to will and to do for [His] good pleasure.” Phil 2:13
The Word tells us here that God is continually working to cause us to will and do what He wants in our lives.
C.
When God brings up something or someone for us to pray
about, He is trying to use us to pray his will in the earth.
(1) Jesus lives forever to make intercession for us – Hebrews 7:25. I believe that Jesus prays thought His body unto the Father for us.
(2) We are God’s enforcers in the earth. Rev 12:11 “ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” NKJV The Greek word translated “testimony “ is material (mar-too-ree-ah). It means (1) The office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events. (2) What one testifies before a Judge. God uses us to speak forth His judgments, decrees and desires in the earth. In a sense, we are God’s policemen in the Spirit. When Satan needs to be bound, we have the right to bind him. When Heaven needs to be loosed in an area, we have the right to loose it.
a. The impulse or desire came from God. You are not working against God, but with God.
b. Take the time necessary to pray it out. Pray until the burden is gone, no matter how long it takes.
c. Paul told us in! Corinthians 14 that we can pray with understanding (English) and in the spirit (our Prayer language). This is very helpful when interceding. You may sense that something is wrong, but you do not know what. Praying in the Spirit allows t he Holy Spirit, through you, to pray the perfect will of God. Romans 8:26,27
d. Intercession can be Spiritual Warfare. God may be using you to pray down the defeat that Satan is causing in someone’s life.
e. BE ready day or night. God has awakened many great intercessors in the middle of the night to pray. There have been many lives saved and tragedy averted because they were faithful to pray.
f. This is on-the-Job-training. You will learn and grow as God uses you. He may stretch you, but He will never put you in something that you are over your head. Trust God and see mountains move!
This next week, spend time before the Lord and ask Him to use you as an intercessor. During this next week, see how many times God uses you to pray for someone or some ministry.
Mark and Patti Virkler have granted permission to draw this information from
their book, “Communion With God Study Guide”.
You can get more information at their website www.cwgministries.org