“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me for them, to keep Me from destroying it; but I found no one.” – Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)

Intercession is praying to God on behalf of another person, group, community, or nation. It is an expression of love because the intercessor chooses to carry the needs of others before God. The altar of intercession is therefore a place where we deliberately stand before God on behalf of others. An intercessor does not pray only, “Lord, bless me.”

The intercessor also asks:

“Lord, remember my family.”

“Lord, strengthen Your Church.”

“Lord, save those who do not know You.”

“Lord, help those who are struggling.”

Intercession moves our prayer life from “God and me” to “God, me, and others.” Intercession is an expression of love.

1 Timothy 2:1 (NKJV)

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.”

Prayer for others is part of God’s desire for His people. When you intercede, you are saying: “Their situation matters to me because they matter to God.” We should not only pray for people we like. Jesus teaches us to pray even for those who oppose us.

Matthew 5:44 (NKJV)

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

Intercession develops a heart of love and compassion. The intercessor stands in the gap.

Ezekiel 22:30

God said: “I sought for a man among them… to stand in the gap…”

To stand in the gap means to position yourself in prayer on behalf of someone else. An intercessor sees a need and takes it to God. When someone is weak, you pray. When someone is confused, you pray. When someone is facing difficulty, you pray. When someone needs salvation, you pray. Instead of only discussing people’s problems, learn to carry their needs to God.

The Holy Spirit helps us intercede. Sometimes we know someone needs prayer, but we don’t know exactly what to say.

Romans 8:26 (NKJV)

“Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought…”

The Holy Spirit helps believers in their prayer life. This means we don’t have to depend entirely on our own understanding. We can ask: “Holy Spirit, help me pray according to God’s will for this person.”

Intercession requires persistence. Some situations don’t change immediately. That’s why intercession requires perseverance.

Colossians 4:2 (NKJV)

“Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”

Don’t pray once and immediately conclude: “Nothing happened.” Continue praying. Keep trusting God. Keep bringing the matter before Him. But remember: persistent prayer is not an attempt to force God to do what we want. It is continued dependence on Him while trusting His wisdom and timing.

Final Charge: Don’t just be a person who receives prayers. Become a person who gives prayers.

Confession: My heart is sanctified to be the place of proper worship unto God.

Related Scripture: Genesis 18

Bible Reading: Leviticus 3