Intercessory Prayer

2 A Definition of Intercessory Prayer

3 The Command to Pray for Others 1 Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…”

4 Examples of Intercessory Prayer Abraham (Genesis 18:23-32) Moses (Exodus 32:7-14) Jesus (John 17:9-24) The early church (Acts 12:5-12)

5 Instructions for Intercessory Prayer Pray for Everyone –1 Timothy 2:1 “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…” Prayer for Secular Leaders –1 Timothy 2:2 “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

6 Instructions for Intercessory Prayer Pray for Our Communities –Jeremiah 29:7 “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.” –Psalm 122: 6 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” –Psalm 122:8-9 “For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.”

7 Instructions for Intercessory Prayer Pray for Spiritual Leaders –2 Corinthians 1:11 “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” –1 Thessalonians 5:25 “Brothers, pray for us.” Pray for Believers –Ephesians 6:18 “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”

8 Instructions for Intercessory Prayer Pray for Non-Believers –Rom 10:1 “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” –1 Tim 2:4 “who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Pray for Evangelists –Luke 10:2 “And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

9 Instructions for Intercessory Prayer Pray for Haters –Matthew 5:43-45 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.”

10 The Burden of Intercessory Prayer Deuteronomy 9:18-19 “Then I lay prostrate before the LORD as before, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all the sin that you had committed, in doing what was evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke him to anger. For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure that the LORD bore against you, so that he was ready to destroy you.”

11 The Burden of Intercessory Prayer Joel 2:17 “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep and say, ‘Spare your people, O LORD, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, “Where is their God?”’”