2023 Retreat Preparatory Prayers - Day 20: Standing with the Intercessors
An intercessor is always standing before God on behalf of people, nations, places, etc., to plead with God for spiritual intervention.
Joel 2:17 “Between the vestibule and the altar let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, “Spare your people, O Lord, and make not your heritage a reproach, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?”
An intercessor is sensitive and able to perceive a problem. He/she comes before God to plea for mercy. They pray for the power of God to manifest in a situation, thereby bringing the glory of God and blessings to the people.
1 Samuel 12:23 “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way. “ It takes the heart of LOVE to make such a statement and stand by it. The Bible makes us to understand that God is Love. Therefore an intercessor must walk in love with God and his creation. Pray that the Love of and for God will grow in the heart of intercessors.
Luke 23:34 “And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Acts 7:60 “And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” An intercessor cannot walk in unforgiveness at any time, irrespective of the situation. The intercessor must ask God for the grace to forgive and let go so that prayers will be effective. Pray that this grace to forgive, even in circumstances that look impossible, will rest upon them.
Philippians 1:9-11 “And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Pray this for every intercessor.
Isaiah 62:6-7 “On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have set watchmen; all the day and all the night they shall never be silent. You who put the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, and give him no rest until he establishes Jerusalem and makes it a praise in the earth,”. An intercessor stands before God for a situation until the mercy of God comes down. Therefore the intercessor is a consistent, steady, and effective prayer warrior who does not stop or give up until the solution of the problem is manifested. Pray for this kind of grace to stand without falling.
Jeremiah 27:18 “If they are prophets, and if the word of the Lord is with them, then let them intercede with the Lord of hosts, that the vessels that are left in the house of the Lord, in the house of the king of Judah, and in Jerusalem may not go to Babylon.”
John 14:23 “Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.”
An intercessor must walk in Love, knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of the word of God. Therefore he/she must be a student of the Holy Spirit, who is the greatest teacher and revealer of God’s Word. Pray that this will be the portion of intercessors.
Psalm 91:1 “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty”.
Daniel 2:22 “He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.” An intercessor must be a dweller in the presence of God. This the Lord is pleased to reveal deep and hidden things. Pray for this grace and ability upon the intercessor.
Job 42:10 “And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Pray that God will remember every intercessor and reward them as he did to Job.