We had the pleasure of speaking with a dear sister that serves as a ministry leader of an intercessory prayer ministry. One of her concerns was whether prayer requests being given to individuals within the ministry were being held in confidence and whether the people who were given the prayer requests were judging and gossiping about those who were in need of prayer.
She was concerned that some involved in the ministry, may not have been called to the intercessory prayer ministry.
Some questions that arose out of this conversation:
1. How could she know whether every participant of the ministry was called to the prayer ministry?
2. Should people in an intercessory prayer ministry have the gift of an intercessor?
3. Is there such a thing as the gift of intercession?
Let’s start with the definitions.
WHAT IS AN INTERCESSOR?
in·ter·ces·sor /ˈin(t)ərˌsesər/ – a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer.
WHAT DOES INTERCESSORY MEAN?
intercessory [ in-ter-ses-uh-ree ] – having the function of interceding:
1 : the act of interceding. 2 : prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another.
WHAT IS INTERCESSION?
in·ter·ces·sion /ˌin(t)ərˈseSHən/ – the action of intervening on behalf of another.
ARE WE ALL CALLED TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER?
Yes. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
IS THERE A GIFT OF INTERCESSION?
Here are two interesting articles we found with very different views on the gift of intercession:
In this article, The Gift of Intercession the writer, Brian Burke an ordained Pastor in The Wesleyan Church believes without a doubt that there is a gift of intercession.
In another article, The Danger of “The Gift of Intercession” on Christ Connection’s website, it is stated that “It [the gift of intercession] has brought an intimidation to the average Christian about prayer. Since most will not feel like they have “the gift of intersession” they will feel inferior in prayer to those special people. They mistakenly think that because they are not the super prayers why even bother to pray. This takes away the many joys of prayer to so many Christians.” When you read this article, you will see that the individual who wrote this article is completely against the idea that intercession is a gift.
After studying the Word, we would say that intercession is not a gift. We as the body of Christ are called to intercede on behalf of others — those that are saved and those that have not yet accepted our Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
According to James 5:16, we are to confess our faults to one another and pray for one another fervently (with great intensity).
Our thought then is if someone confesses his or her faults to us most likely they are requesting confidential prayer. We then are obligated to pray for the requester in confidence.
James 5:16 also speaks about the prayers of a “righteous” man which means he or she who is doing the praying should be morally right. Take a look below at the thirteen (13) characteristics of a righteous person that Christ For Humanity mentions in their blog post on Psalm 15.
1. A righteous person lives a blameless life or walks uprightly.
2. Someone who is righteous works righteousness.
3. Righteous people speak the truth from their heart.
4. They refuse to gossip or backbite.
5. They refuse to do evil to their neighbour.
6. Righteous people do not accept criticisms or shame from others concerning their neighbours.
7. Righteous people refuse to speak bad things about their neighbours or friends.
8. A righteous person stays away from flagrant sinners.
9. A righteous individual honours those who fear the Lord.
10. They keep their promises or oaths or vows at all cost.
11. A righteous person does not lend money at an exorbitant rate of interest.
12. They refuse to take bribes.
13. A righteous person protects the innocent at all times.
Looking at number four (gossip) alone may tell us that the issue the intercessory prayer ministry mentioned above is having is not whether the participants are called to intercede on behalf of others. It appears to be an issue of righteousness.
Something the ministry leader may consider is number 10. That is, having the participants make a vow that they will take each prayer request in confident consideration. Keeping the heartfelt request between themselves, the ministry, and God. Also, remind them that He who they fear is He who they are also serving in prayer and in ministry.
So, based on what you’ve read above, what do you think? Is there truly a gift of intercession or are we all simply called to intercede on behalf of one another? ??
Always be sure to ask the Lord to speak to you concerning this and other subjects you read about, and study the Word of God for yourself.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” ~ Romans 12:12
HERE ARE THE SCRIPTURE REFERENCES WE FOUND ON INTERCESSOR AND INTERCESSION:
Isaiah 53:12, “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 59:16, “And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.”
Romans 8:34, “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.”
Jeremiah 7:16, “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee.”
Jeremiah 27:18, “But if they be prophets, and if the word of the Lord be with them, let them now make intercession to the Lord of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the Lord, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.”
Jeremiah 36:25, “Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.”
Romans 8:26, “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.”
Romans 8:27, “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 8:34, “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 11:2, “God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God …”
1 Timothy 2:1, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;”
Hebrews 7:25, “Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”
If you have not received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, let us lead you in prayer to receive Him now:
Dear Jesus,
I am a sinner. I confess all of my sins and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe in my heart that You died for my sins and God rose You from the dead. I turn from my sins and ask You to please come into my heart and life as my Lord and Savior. Take complete control of my life and help me to walk in Your footsteps daily by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Lord Jesus for saving me and for answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
SCRIPTURES ON SALVATION:
“Whosoever therefore shall confess Me [Jesus Christ] before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven.” ~ Matthew 10:32
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” ~ Romans 10:9
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” ~ Romans 10:13
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:” ~ John 1:12
And with that, we’d like to welcome you into the body of Christ! Be sure to find a local church or Christian ministry group to fellowship with on a daily or weekly basis.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-9
Source(s):
– Dictionary.com
– Merriam-Webster.com
– 13 Characteristics of a Righteous Person (Psalm 15) by Pastor Samuel Entsua-Mensah
– Parts of the Salvation prayer taken from “The Prayer of Salvation“
– The Gift of Intercession
– The Danger of “The Gift of Intercession”
– All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of BibleGateway.com
