We need to talk about the importance of intercession! In moments like the one we are experiencing in the world, of great crisis in several sectors, one of the best things we can do is to intercede.
But do we know the true importance of intercession? Are we interceding correctly?
Prayer / intercession is one of the sustenance of the body of Christ. A church that moves forward to establish the Kingdom of God is also a church that prays and intercedes. If we want to make a difference, we need to intercede!
Shall we talk a little about?
Intercession for those who exercise authority
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
1 Timothy 2: 1-2
Many passages speak about prayer. But I would like to bring this biblical passage to show that there are important issues related to intercession.
One is that we must intercede for the authorities and leaders who are above us. Although we often find it difficult to accept certain leaders or certain actions from our leaders, we need to pray for the lives of all of them.
From the moment we begin to intercede for the lives of the people above us, the Lord pours out His wisdom and understanding on them. After all, He establishes the authorities. Pray for mayors, governors, ministers, president and all the leaders of the nation. Pray for the leadership of your church. For those who lead you at work.
Anyway, we as church need to pray for all those in a decision-making position. We need to cry out for the Lord’s mercy, direction and justice.
The intercession for God to establish His justice
Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down.
Numbers 11: 1-2
To understand a little more about the power of intercession, I would like to talk about the complaints of the Israelites while they were in the desert. Several times the people complained. Whenever things didn’t go the way they expected or wanted, they complained about what the Lord did for them. In this way, the Lord was angry with the ingratitude of his people and sent punishment on them.
When the people complained about what was happening as a nation, it was as if they rejected the justice and perfect sovereignty of the Lord, who led and guarded them.
When interceding and relating to God in prayer, it is important that we cry out not for our justice or for what seems right in our eyes, but for His justice. We need to seek our Father’s perfect will so that we learn more about what is right in His eyes.
Jesus himself, in the Our Father’s prayer, taught us to ask for the Kingdom of God to come and for His will to be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). If there is social injustice, we must not cry out for our own vision of justice, but for the justice of the Father. So that He establishes the justice of His Kingdom on earth, which is a kingdom of peace, righteousness and perfection.
Intercession for our brothers
as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
2 Corinthians 1:11
In the vast majority of his letters, the apostle Paul asks his brothers to pray for him and for his ministry and also says that he has been praying for their lives and for their ministry. In other words, Paul asks for intercession, but he also intercedes.
I believe that with this, the Lord shows us that when we have a life of prayer and intercession, we have a strong foundation, founded on the Word and the relationship with the Lord. As a church we base the communion of the Body on communion with the Father.
When we take root and deepen our fellowship with the Lord, we will have the strength and peace to move on to any situation and the wisdom to make the necessary decisions.
Grace and peace.
