“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 not only an action but a duty every believer must perform. In the bible we have examples of people who interceded for nations, and people around them. These people stood in gap to pray to God and there were answers to their prayers.
Abraham was an intercessor: One of the clearest examples of intercession is Abraham. When God revealed what was about to happen to Sodom, Abraham pleaded with God concerning the righteous.
Genesis 18:23–24 (NKJV)
“And Abraham came near and said, ‘Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it?’”
Abraham continued to intercede. He was concerned about others. This teaches us something important: Intercession requires compassion.
Moses interceded for Israel: After Israel sinned against God, Moses pleaded on their behalf.
Exodus 32:31–32 (NKJV)
“Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.’”
Moses was deeply concerned about the people. He did not simply say: “They have sinned; let them face the consequences.” He stood before God on their behalf.
Samuel considered intercession a responsibility. Samuel understood that praying for others was not optional.
1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV)
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you…”
What a powerful statement! Samuel regarded ceasing to pray for God’s people as something serious. Don’t stop praying for people simply because they are not currently praying for themselves.
Jesus is our greatest example of intercession. Jesus continually prayed for others. One of the greatest examples is John 17, often called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. Jesus prayed for His disciples and for future believers.
John 17:20 (NKJV)
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word.”
Think about this:
Jesus prayed for people who had not yet believed in Him. That is the heart of intercession. Jesus also interceded for Peter.
Luke 22:32 (NKJV)
“But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail…”
Our Lord demonstrates that intercession is an important expression of spiritual love.
We should intercede for the church. The Church needs praying believers. Paul repeatedly asked believers to pray for him and the ministry of the gospel.
Colossians 4:3 (NKJV)
“Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word…”
Pray for:
Pastors
Ministers
Church workers
Young believers
Missionaries
Evangelists
Christian families
Spiritual growth in the Church
Unity among believers
Don’t only criticize the Church; pray for the Church.
We should intercede for leaders and our nation.
1 Timothy 2:1–2 (NKJV)
“…intercessions… be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority…”
Believers are called to pray for those in positions of authority. Instead of allowing political disagreements to become hatred, we can fulfill our biblical responsibility by praying for leaders and society.
Pray for:
Wisdom
Justice
Peace
Good governance
Protection
Righteousness
The welfare of the people
Intercede for the salvation of souls. Paul expressed his deep desire for Israel’s salvation.
Romans 10:1 (NKJV)
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”
This should also become part of our prayer burden.
Pray for:
Your friends.
Your family members.
Your classmates and colleagues.
Your community.
Those who have never heard the gospel.
Ask God to draw people to Himself.
The intercessory altar requires a clean heart. Intercession should flow from love, not pride. We should not pray for someone while secretly wishing them harm. Jesus taught us to love and pray even for those who oppose us.
Psalm 66:18 (NKJV)
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.”
We should continually examine our hearts and repent when necessary. The intercessor must also allow God to work on the intercessor.
The altar of intercession is a place where love becomes prayer. It is where we stand before God for others. Abraham intercede. Moses intercede. Samuel intercede. Jesus intercede. The early Church intercede. And God still calls believers to pray for others today.
Action Point: Let the fire of intercession keep burning. Pray for someone today.
Confession: I am born of God. I live in peace and I have rest on all sides. I enjoy God’s blessings and I live in abundance.
Related Scriptures: Matthew 5:44, 1 Timothy 2:1
Bible Reading: Leviticus 4
