What is Intercession?
Nehemiah 1:3-4 - "The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." (NIV)
Ezekiel 22:30 - "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." (NIV)
Matthew 16:18-19 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NIV)
Matthew 18:18-20 - “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)
Suppose a house was left vacant and broken down, and a group of squatters took up residence there. They treated the vacant house like it is their own place, as they slept and ate there. When the owner of the house eventually came by, he tried to evict the squatters. But, the squatters laughed and told him to go away. At this point, the owner got wise. He came back the next day with two policeman. When at first the squatters protested, the policemen pulled out their guns and said, "In the name of the law, get out of the house." At that command, the squatters left.
Satan is a squatter. He dwells with people, families and communities that are broken down with sinful choices and bondages. When the gospel is heard and received by a person or a group, restoration of the home begins. In intercession we "evict the squatter." We take up the name of Jesus and bind the enemy. We resist and rebuke him (James 4:7). When we use our authority like this, the enemy has to flee. Intercession is all about exercising our authority in Jesus.
Jesus says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19). Intercession can be described as the process of "binding" and "loosing." We bind up the enemy that is harassing a person, group or situation. And we loose the Holy Spirit into that same environment. Specifically, intercession is focused away from self. It is exercising our authority over another person, family or community.
But, can't Jesus just kick the enemy out on his own? Can't the Holy Spirit loose himself into a situation? Yes, God is completely capable of handling everything himself, but he chooses to work through his church. "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:18-19 NIV). We have been given the keys to the kingdom. We have been given authority in Jesus. Remember, Jesus died and went to the gates of hell to take back the keys and authority from the evil one (Col. 2:15; Rev. 1:18). He chose to share this authority again with his people.
Jesus is the ultimate Victor. He died, was buried and rose from the dead. He is now seated at the Father's right hand. As intercessors, we spread the news of his victory. This happens in all different ways. In intercession we co-create with God. In other words, we work with God to apply his victory in families and communities around the world. As Abraham and Moses pled and reasoned with God, we also can call out for him to move in power upon specific situations.
In intercession we listen to God for the "what" of prayer and the "how" of prayer. He will give us specific promptings for a prayer target, as well as more details on how to see breakthrough in prayer. God can speak to us about resisting specific spirits of darkness (i.e. spirit of fear, heaviness, hopelessness, etc.) and then loosing the Holy Spirit into the same situation (loosing the opposite specific spirit - i.e. spirit of courage, joy, hope, etc.). We then pray until we feel a release from God to stop or move onto another target.
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Matthew 16:18-19 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NIV)
Ezekiel 22:30 - "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." (NIV)
Matthew 16:18-19 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NIV)
Matthew 18:18-20 - “I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (NIV)
Suppose a house was left vacant and broken down, and a group of squatters took up residence there. They treated the vacant house like it is their own place, as they slept and ate there. When the owner of the house eventually came by, he tried to evict the squatters. But, the squatters laughed and told him to go away. At this point, the owner got wise. He came back the next day with two policeman. When at first the squatters protested, the policemen pulled out their guns and said, "In the name of the law, get out of the house." At that command, the squatters left.
Satan is a squatter. He dwells with people, families and communities that are broken down with sinful choices and bondages. When the gospel is heard and received by a person or a group, restoration of the home begins. In intercession we "evict the squatter." We take up the name of Jesus and bind the enemy. We resist and rebuke him (James 4:7). When we use our authority like this, the enemy has to flee. Intercession is all about exercising our authority in Jesus.
Jesus says that whatever we bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matt. 16:19). Intercession can be described as the process of "binding" and "loosing." We bind up the enemy that is harassing a person, group or situation. And we loose the Holy Spirit into that same environment. Specifically, intercession is focused away from self. It is exercising our authority over another person, family or community.
But, can't Jesus just kick the enemy out on his own? Can't the Holy Spirit loose himself into a situation? Yes, God is completely capable of handling everything himself, but he chooses to work through his church. "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matt. 16:18-19 NIV). We have been given the keys to the kingdom. We have been given authority in Jesus. Remember, Jesus died and went to the gates of hell to take back the keys and authority from the evil one (Col. 2:15; Rev. 1:18). He chose to share this authority again with his people.
Jesus is the ultimate Victor. He died, was buried and rose from the dead. He is now seated at the Father's right hand. As intercessors, we spread the news of his victory. This happens in all different ways. In intercession we co-create with God. In other words, we work with God to apply his victory in families and communities around the world. As Abraham and Moses pled and reasoned with God, we also can call out for him to move in power upon specific situations.
In intercession we listen to God for the "what" of prayer and the "how" of prayer. He will give us specific promptings for a prayer target, as well as more details on how to see breakthrough in prayer. God can speak to us about resisting specific spirits of darkness (i.e. spirit of fear, heaviness, hopelessness, etc.) and then loosing the Holy Spirit into the same situation (loosing the opposite specific spirit - i.e. spirit of courage, joy, hope, etc.). We then pray until we feel a release from God to stop or move onto another target.
For More Study
- Nehemiah 1
- Daniel 9:4-16
- Luke 18:1-8
- Ephesians 6:10-20
- James 4:7-10
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Intercession is based upon the ability to hear God's voice. Do you practice this? What can you do to practice hearing God's voice more?
- Have you lived with the squatter lurking around your thoughts and words? Do you take up your authority to deal with him, or do you just let him continue to squat?
- In your prayer life, practice listening first, then praying. As you pray for someone, practice pausing and listening throughout the prayer time. The more you listen, the more you will pray with focus and power.
Memorization
Matthew 16:18-19 - "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (NIV)
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