How do you pray? Part 4 - Intercession

Why should a man pray? Sadly many do not believe that God answers prayer. The difference between a dead faith and a living faith is action. (Jas 2:18)

Why should a man pray? (James 2:18 NKJV) - But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

Why should a man pray? When we see the need for something, we will act. But what if we do not believe? Jesus addressed this in His ministry. (Luke 18:1-8)

Why should a man pray? (Luke 18:1-8 NKJV) - Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart, {2} saying: “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God nor regard man. {3} “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’

Why should a man pray? {4} “And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, {5} ‘yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” {6} Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said.

Why should a man pray? {7} “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? {8} “I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Why should a man pray? In our previous studies we learned several important concepts of prayer. Prayer may be divided into four elements: Praise, Confession, Petition and Intercession. Some may view God as "a great vending machine". As a result they only have prayers filled with petition. This reflects a wrong concept of God.

Why should a man pray? Our motive in prayer must be for the accomplishment of God's will rather than a self centered one. God wants us to make requests of Him. If there was to be an imbalance in the time spent in our four areas of prayer, it would be in intercession. Why did the apostles require a great amount of time in prayer? (Acts 6:1-4)

Why should a man pray? (Acts 6:1-4 NKJV) - Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. {2} Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.

Why should a man pray? {3} “Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; {4} “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Why should a man pray? If a faithful man regularly goes to God in prayer, does he then need others to pray for him? How would you answer this question?

Do we need God's help ? You may say: "That question is not necessary, of course we do!" Consider the power in the gifts bestowed by God upon an apostle. (2 Cor 12:12)

Do we need God's help ? (2 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV) - Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.

Do we need God's help ? Even with these gifts there was something that Paul needed that was beyond his power as an apostle, the intercession of other Christians!

Do we need God's help ? Paul credited the prayers of other Christians for his deliverance. (2 Cor 1:8-11)

Do we need God's help ? (2 Corinthians 1:8-11) - For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. {9} Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead,

Do we need God's help ? {10} who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, {11} you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many.

Do we need God's help ? Paul anticipated that the future prayers of other Christians would deliver him at a later time. (Phil 1:19)

Do we need God's help ? (Philippians 1:19 NKJV) - For I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

Do we need God's help ? Paul needed the prayers of other Christians to open a door for him to teach others. (Col 4:2-4)

Do we need God's help ? (Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV) - Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; {3} meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, {4} that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Do we need God's help ? Here is a broad appeal. Did he really need this? (1 Thess 5:25)

Do we need God's help ? (1 Thessalonians 5:25 NKJV) - Brethren, pray for us.

Do we need God's help ? Here both deliverance and the spread of the word are brought together. Will your prayer make such a difference? (2 Thess 3:1-2)

Do we need God's help ? (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV) - Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, {2} and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

Do we need God's help ? Their prayer would make a reunion more likely! (Heb 13:18-19)

Do we need God's help ? (Hebrews 13:18-19 NKJV) - Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. {19} But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Do we need God's help ? If an apostle needed Christians to pray for him, imagine the power within our grasp to mightily do good for the Lord's cause! It makes sense to ask for God's help in the overwhelming and uncertain work before us. Example: A neighbor who begins a impossible job when help was only a request away. (Matt 7:7-8)

Do we need God's help ? (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV) - “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. {8} “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

Do we need God's help ? Because some have lost their faith, they do not pray. Some of us may be like that. If the results are not instantaneous, we give up. (Jas 4:2)

Do we need God's help ? (James 4:2 NKJV) - You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.

Do we need God's help ? Do you think of others regularly in your prayers? Do others need your prayers?

Intercession in the life of Paul Consider the churches that Paul prayed for. (Rom 1:9) - He prayed for the Romans “without ceasing”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (Romans 1:9 NKJV) - For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,

Intercession in the life of Paul (1 Cor 1:4) - He prayed for the Corinthians “always”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (1 Corinthians 1:4 NKJV) – I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,

Intercession in the life of Paul (Phil 1:3-4) - He prayed for the Philippians “always in every prayer”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (Philippians 1:3-4 NKJV) - I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, {4} always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy,

Intercession in the life of Paul (Col 1:3,9) - He prayed for the Colossians “always” and later affirmed that those with Paul “do not cease to pray for you”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (Colossians 1:3 NKJV) - We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Intercession in the life of Paul (Colossians 1:9 NKJV) - For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

Intercession in the life of Paul (1 Thess 1:2) - He prayed for the Thessalonians “always”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:2 NKJV) - We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers,

Intercession in the life of Paul These were not just generic prayers: "Lord bless all Christians''. He made mention of them! What other churches did Paul pray for by name not mentioned in the Bible? Have you ever prayed for other churches?

Intercession in the life of Paul Consider the individuals Paul prayed for. (2 Tim 1:3) - Paul prayed for Timothy “without ceasing”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (2 Timothy 1:3 NKJV) - I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day,

Intercession in the life of Paul (Philemon 1:4) - Paul prayed for Philemon “always”.

Intercession in the life of Paul (Philemon 1:4 NKJV) - I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,

Intercession in the life of Paul How much time did Paul need for intercession on behalf of others?

What our Intercession can do. In areas like this the fruit is not easily seen. It may have been our prayer that made the difference, but we can not be sure in this life. God wants us to do this on the basis of His word alone! Do we have that kind of faith? (Luke 5:5)

What our Intercession can do. (Luke 5:5 NKJV) - But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

What our Intercession can do. How much time out of your schedule will you take? Do you believe it will do any good?

What our Intercession can do. What are the greatest needs in the Lord’s church today? Greater Evangelism. (2 Thess 3:1-2)

What our Intercession can do. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 NKJV) - Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, {2} and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

What our Intercession can do. Greater knowledge. (Col 1:9-11)

What our Intercession can do. (Colossians 1:9-11 NKJV) - For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

What our Intercession can do. {11} strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;

What our Intercession can do. More Love for one another. (Phil 1:9)

What our Intercession can do. (Philippians 1:9 NKJV) - And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

What our Intercession can do. A wise leadership that has come from strong, faithful Christians. (Phil 1:10)

What our Intercession can do. (Philippians 1:10 NKJV) - that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

What our Intercession can do. Strong homes.

What our Intercession can do. Are we seeing the Christian life as we should? When you combine a belief in a living God with an unselfish service to others you find men and women who intercede on behalf of others. Are you one? We may never know the great work the Lord has accomplished through us until that day we see Him. (Eph 3:20-21)

What our Intercession can do. (Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV) - Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, {21} to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.