Am I Really an Intercessor?

This may seem like a strange question coming from someone who has a prayer ministry and sends out a teaching on prayer every month. But it’s something that I had to ask myself recently as I read an article by the late Gordon Lindsay. As he retold the story of Moses, particularly in regard to his intercession for the Israelites in the desert, I was again impressed with the depth of his concern for the people – even though the people had brought on their own problems. Moses was willing to do whatever it took to intercede, or stand in the gap, on their behalf.

Ezek 22:29-31 ²⁹ The people of the land practice extortion and commit robbery; they oppress the poor and needy and mistreat the alien, denying them justice. ³⁰ “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. ³¹ So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” NIV

What is intercession, anyway? The simple, but profound, definition in the Webster’s dictionary indicates that it’s prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another. Pay special attention to that last part. Moses prayed, petitioned, and entreated the Lord in favor of all the Israelites who had been miraculously brought out of Egypt, only to turn their back on the Lord of the miracle! Though Moses was fully aware of what the people had done, he boldly and selflessly stood in the gap between them and the wrath God was ready to pour out on them. Would I do that for even one person, let alone an entire nation of people?

When Stephen was stoned because of his witness for Christ, what was the last thing he did before he died? He prayed to the Lord that He would not hold this – his own murder – against them! (Acts 7:59-60) He interceded, entreating the Lord in favor of the very ones who were killing him for the simple reason that he lived for Jesus Christ. This was, of course, very close to the prayer that Jesus, Himself, prayed when He was on the cross to pay for our sins (the sin of the world) when He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” in Luke 23:34. Am I dead enough to myself to think I would pray for my murderers if it came to that? Only God really knows at this point.

I may not be faced with interceding for my murderers, or for an entire nation of people with whom I am connected. So let me get it to a practical consideration for today. When I pray for others who need it, do I really intercede? When I know someone who is lost or straying away, do I truly stand in the gap on their behalf before God? Am I willing to stay in His face, including myself with the unrepentant one, as did Daniel in Daniel 9, declaring our sins and how we deserve all the hardship and troubles we now suffer, but repenting on behalf of all and asking for God’s help? Paul wished that he could be cut off from Christ if that would help the Jews come to salvation in Romans 9:3. What do you think his prayer was for them, if this was his sentiment? Do I care so deeply for those who are lost that I would pray with no concern for myself?

If I know someone who has a disease, I am willing to allow the Holy Spirit to pray through me to do battle on their behalf against the thief who has come only to steal, kill, and destroy. But, what if the illness goes on and on and on, day after day, month after month, year after year? When it is no longer new to me, and I’ve prayed some already for them, do I revert to the prayers that salve my conscience, such as, “Lord, help them to feel better. Amen,” but really do nothing in prayer that helps them walk out of the affliction and into the victory God has for them in Christ Jesus? Will I go to battle for them day after day, for as many days as it takes, doing whatever the battle requires until their breakthrough comes?

I wish I could say that I am completely willing in all instances to do whatever it takes to intercede for the ones the Lord puts on my heart, that I am always willing to get up in the middle of the night to pray because the Lord needs someone to pray right then, not when it’s convenient. This is a lesson with lots of questions – ones that I’m pondering, and ones that I hope you will, too, because the Lord is looking for people to build up a wall and stand in the gap.

Oh, Lord, work in our hearts so that you will not have to say, “but I found none.” Help us to die to ourselves more and more and more that Your Holy Spirit will have complete freedom to pray through us on behalf of the people You so love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© Copyright 2006 Kay V. Stocking