The Importance of Intercession

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”1 Timothy 2:1, KJV.

Intercession basically means praying to God on behalf of another person; one who selflessly “stands in the gap.” The importance of intercession is very evident, especially in light of recent events. In America, we are so privileged that often it can easily be taken for granted. As we stand in a bathroom, brushing our teeth letting the water run, someone doesn’t have clean water to drink. As we enjoy the opportunity of choosing which outfit we’ll wear on tomorrow, many don’t have a way to wash the only one they now have on.

“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors,” Isaiah 53:12. Of course this passage is speaking of Jesus and what He has done. Jesus poured out His soul unto death on our behalf. He didn’t look at it and say this problem we created was just too bad, no; He made intercession for us the transgressors. If we are to be Christ-like, shouldn’t we make it a daily habit to pray for others?

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul,” Leviticus 17:11, KJV. Jesus made that final atonement for our sins. In the Old Testament, sins were atoned for by the sacrificing of animals. This was to show us the need for blood to be shed (which is the pouring out of life) in order for forgiveness to be extended. The issue with that was that in those days this had to be done every year. But when Christ came, the final atonement was made because an animal sacrifice was not good enough. It was just a “temporary fix” to an ongoing problem. This is why Jesus died on the cross once. He is the Son of God and he bore our sins so that we could be born again…born again out of sin. Once born into sin, secondly born into righteousness (eternal life) through Jesus Christ. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed,” 1 Peter 2:24, KJV. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood,” Hebrews 7:24. He will forever be Lord.

Jesus didn’t turn His back on us in our time of need, even when He left the Earth He made clear that He was going to send a Comforter, the Holy Spirit. And guess what the Holy Spirit does? “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,” Romans 8:26-27, KJV. Let us be mindful that our intercessions are not to be used for vanity, it must line up with the will of God. To know if it lines up with the will of God is to know it lining up with His word. What is His Word? Jesus Christ. It all goes back to the One Mediator who acts on our behalf. “Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us,” Romans 8:34, KJV.

God looks for us to intercede for one another. There may be a person on life support who the doctor has counted out for dead….where is the intercessor? There could be a mother who has been told that her unborn child won’t live a normal life or past the age of 2…where is the intercessor? There could be someone who has a hungry family, but no money and they’re sleeping in a car that may be on its last leg…where is the intercessor?

“Yes, truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. And the Lord saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man and wondered that there was no intercessor [no one to intervene on behalf of truth and right]…,” Isaiah 59:15-16, AMP.