Have you ever felt the prompting by the Holy Spirit to pray for someone? When we are obedient to follow these promptings, we are interceding for others.
One of my friends recently had major surgery and a long recovery. At various times both during the day and at night I felt a strong prompting to pray for him. Later I found out that he was having a difficult time and it was a gift from the Holy Spirit to be a prayer intercessor for him. An intercessor is defined as a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer.[1]
Abigail Intercedes for Her Husband
Abigail’s husband, Nabal, had insulted David. This resulted in a potential conflict between David and his men and Nabal. If left unresolved. Nabal and many innocent people would be killed.
1 Samuel 25:23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got off her donkey and bowed low before him. 24 She fell at his feet and said, “I accept all blame in this matter, my lord. Please listen to what I have to say. 25 I know Nabal is a wicked and ill-tempered man; please don’t pay any attention to him. He is a fool, just as his name suggests. But I never even saw the young men you sent.
26 “Now, my lord, as surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, since the Lord has kept you from murdering and taking vengeance into your own hands, let all your enemies and those who try to harm you be as cursed as Nabal is. 27 And here is a present that I, your servant, have brought to you and your young men.[2]
We can Intercede for Others
Scripture tells us that when we say prayers of intercession, we are building bridges between God and the people for whom we pray. Interceding for others helps build God’s kingdom here on earth. Remember, this isn’t just a prayer, it’s a deliberate action. 1 Timothy 2:1I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”[3]
Because Jesus intercedes for us with the Father we can now intercede for others. The Lord Jesus has built bridges to God that we may cross over, so we too can be in that bridge-building business. We have the incredible privilege of building a span from heaven to earth, from God to the person for whom we are praying.[4]
To hear more about interceding for others, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/seeking-the-lord-changes-my-life-abigail-david
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intercession
[2,3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[4] https://www.faithgateway.com/intercessory-prayer-build-bridge-intercede-others/#.YHSf8C1h23U