STANDING IN THE GAP

1. What is intercession?

a) Intercession means to plead for the case of another or on behalf of others’ needs or stand in the gap for someone.

2. Who intercedes for us?

a) The Holy Spirit

i) 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:26, 27 NIV)

ii) Even when you don’t know the right words to pray, the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God answers. With God helping you to pray, you don’t need to be afraid to come before him.

iii) Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you “according to the will of God.” Then, when you bring your requests to God, trust that he will always do what is best.

b) Jesus

i) 23Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25 NIV)

ii) As our High Priest, Christ is our advocate, the mediator between us and God. The Old Testament high priest went before God once a year to plead for the forgiveness of the nation’s sins; Christ makes perpetual (unceasing) intercession before God for us.

3. Why do we intercede?

a) It is good and please God our Savior

i) 1I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3This is good, and pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)

ii) Although God is all-powerful and all-knowing, he has chosen to let us help him change the world through our prayers. James 5: 16 say, “…the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”

4. What will happen when we intercede?

a) God performs a miracle

i) 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. (Acts 12:5 NIV)

ii) Herod’s plan undoubtedly was to execute Peter, but the believers were praying for Peter’s safety. The earnest prayer of the church significantly affected the outcome of these events. Peter was freed from prison with the help of an angel of the Lord. Prayer changes things, so pray often and with confidence.

5. Who should we intercede for?

a) The world (pre-believers)

i) 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

b) The saints (believers)

i) 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:18 NIV)

6. Let’s look at what Eli, the priest of Israel, said to his wicked sons and the results for not heeding to his advice.

a) In 1 Samuel 2: 25, Eli spoke to his sons “If a man sins against another man, God may mediate for him; but if a man sins against the Lord, who will intercede for him?” His (Eli’s) sons, however, did not listen to their father’s rebuke, for it was the Lord’s will to put them to death.

b) Eli’s sons knew better, but they continued to disobey God deliberately by cheating, seducing, and robbing the people. They even slept with the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting (1 Samuel 2: 22). Therefore, God planned to kill them.

c) A person made an offering in order to have his sins forgiven, and Eli’s sons stole the offering in order and made a sham (imitation meant to deceive; counterfeit) of the person’s repentant attitude. God allowed Eli’s sons to die as a result of their own boastful presumption. They took the ark into battle, thinking it would protect them. But God withdrew his protection, and the wicked sons of Eli were killed (1 Samuel 4: 10 – 11).

d) We would not want to be like Eli’s sons where the father’s intercession may not save them.

7. Prayers focus

a) Pray for God's anointing of intercession.