Discover the profound impact of spiritual gifts, specifically focusing on intercessory prayer. This article explores the definition, scriptural basis, and practical application of this gift, highlighting its importance in the Church and individual lives.
What is the Gift of Intercession?
The gift of intercession is the supernatural ability to stand in the gap in prayer for people, situations, or places until breakthrough comes. It is more than casual prayer. It is carrying the burden of God’s heart and partnering with Him to bring His will to earth.
Those with this gift feel drawn to pray with intensity, persistence, and faith that moves heaven. Intercessors often carry a deep compassion for people because they have touched the heart of God in prayer. They bring strength and peace to the Body by carrying burdens that others cannot see. Their prayers prepare the ground for harvest.
Empowerment Through Intercession
The gift of intercession empowers a believer to pray on behalf of others with authority and consistency. This gift brings unseen strength to the Church. It protects, covers, and calls forth God’s purposes in ways that often go unnoticed but are deeply powerful.
The intercessor senses spiritual battles before others do and responds by going before the throne of God with boldness. Their prayers make a difference in ways only eternity will fully reveal.
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Scriptural Basis for Intercession
What does Scripture say about this gift?James, who knew Jesus longer than any Apostle, admonished us that “we have not because we ask not” (James 4:2), and furthermore that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much” (James 5:16).
“Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working” (James 5:16).This verse reveals the weight and power of intercession. Prayer is not just spiritual talk. It produces real results. Intercessors are righteous not in themselves but through Christ, and their prayers carry authority.
Their fervency releases healing, restoration, and breakthrough because they are aligning with the will of God. This gift awakens hunger for God in others and creates space for the Spirit to move.
Some scriptures to consider as intercessors:
- Hebrews 4:16
- James 1:5
- Romans 12:2
- Ephesians 1:21
- Luke 10:19
- 1 John 4:4
- Hebrews 7:25
- Philippians 3:12
Luke 18:1 is a universal declaration for all the saints to pray. In Matthew 6, Jesus gave a clear injunction to pray; instructing His disciples with “when” not “if.”
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The Role of Intercession in the Church
The gift of intercession protects the Church like a shield. It keeps leaders covered, fuels revival, and breaks strongholds in the unseen realm. Intercessors often sense what is coming before it happens and pray until God’s purposes break through.
5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands.
Many Christians do pray during the day as needs arise, but how many have a dedicated, private, quiet time of daily prayer (Matthew 6:6). Is prayer, therefore, not our most fundamental expression of faith and trust (Luke 18:6-8)?
Potential Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Intercessors can struggle with isolation or discouragement if they are not rooted in community. Because they feel burdens deeply, they may carry them too long and forget to release them back to God. They can also become critical when others do not share the same urgency in prayer.
Without balance, intercessors may neglect practical action, thinking prayer alone is enough. Another danger is pride if they begin to see themselves as more spiritual because of their prayer life. This gift must always remain surrendered to the Lord and connected to the Body.
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How to Develop the Gift of Intercession
If you feel called to intercession, begin by setting aside consistent time to pray. Ask the Lord who and what He wants you to pray for. Write down what He shows you. Be faithful in private prayer even when no one sees. Partner with others in prayer groups or prayer meetings. Step into moments of spontaneous prayer when the Spirit prompts you.
Do not wait for recognition. Pray until peace comes, and trust God with the outcome. The more you obey the Spirit’s leading, the sharper this gift will become. Intercession grows stronger the more it is used.
Since Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25), is faithful, intercessory prayer, therefore, our greatest ongoing expression of love for one another (John 13:34-35; I Peter 4:8; I John 3:22-23; Ephesians 6:18)?
The Apostles gave themselves “continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). I believe our culture is in moral collapse because the church has not been salt and light, and is this fundamentally because we have not regularly and diligently sought God in prayer (II Chronicles 7:14)?
Intercession in a Business Setting
Business intercession has been an integral part of our organization for nearly three years. Our initial purpose of having an intercessor [Amy] on our team was to help integrate our faith with our business. As a business owner, I am constantly faced with making strategic business decisions for our company. Having a team of intercessors to hear what God is saying about HIS plan for our company is invaluable to us.
When you know HIS plan and what season your company is in, strategic decisions become easier to make. We believe that our intercessory team is our unfair advantage, the competitive edge that helps us grow in an industry where many are shrinking.
Amy Everette is the Chief Prayer Officer of Marketplace ROCK, a consulting company that prays for business executives and their companies while teaching these executives how to intercede on behalf of their companies. Marketplace ROCK intercessors have been a blessing to me for the past three years. Their prayers and spiritual guidance have helped me develop a clearer understanding of my God’s purpose and assignment for my life and business.
Key Aspects of Intercessory Prayer
People who have the gift of intercessory prayer know how and what to pray for others. They have a rich spiritual life centered on individual and community prayers, from the Mass to the rosary. They understand the difference between people’s needs and their wants. They are able to put God’s will first and foremost. They are sensitive to what’s asked and they give a feeling of peace and understanding to all they pray with. Intercessors are in touch with Jesus and His Holy Spirit and are committed to praying daily for others.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones taught that “When a man is speaking to God he is at his very acme. It is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man’s true spiritual condition.” Will we, therefore, die to self and pray (Matthew 16:24-25; Acts 12:5; Phil 4:6; Colossians 4:2; I Peter 4:7)? Can we say to ourselves that we truly love God (Matt 22:37) if we do not desire to, and make time to, be alone with Him every day (James 4:8, Lamentations 3:57)?
Intercession is prayer that pleads with God for your needs and the needs of others. Intercession involves taking hold of God‘s will and refusing to let go until his will comes to pass.
Intercession is warfare - the key to God’s battle plan for our lives. The battleground is not of this earth. Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
Archbishop Fulton Sheen said “The graces of God are hanging from heaven by silken threads and prayer is the sword that cuts them down.”"Private prayer is like straw scattered here and there. If you set it on fire, it makes a lot of little flames. But gather these straws into a bundle and light them, and you get a mighty fire, rising like a column into the sky; public prayer is like that." St John Vianney
Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray in union with the mind of God. Take to heart St. Paul's words, "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes... for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8:26-27). And above all, ask God to give you confidence that he hears your prayers and longs to answer the deep needs of those around you. Read a good article about the Power of Intercessory Prayer.
4 ways to activate your spiritual gifts | Apostle Michael Orokpo
Qualities of People with the Gift of Intercession
- Faithful
- Trusting
- Disciplined
- Consistent
- Spirit-led
- Steady
Possible ways to serve using this gift:
- Prayer ministry/praying for individuals, family, co-workers
- Prayer for missionaries and their families
- Youth ministry prayer team/Children’s ministry prayer team
- New Members ministry prayer team
- Women’s ministry prayer team
- Prayer for pastoral staff and session
- Nursing home prayer ministry
- Stephen Ministry
Scriptures that reference Intercession or show someone exhibiting this gift:
- Psalms (David)
- Luke 22 (Jesus)
- John 17 (Jesus)
- Acts 8 (Peter and John)
- Ephesians 1
- Philippians 1
- 2 Timothy 1
- Romans 8 (the Spirit)
- Colossians 1 (Paul)
- Colossians 4
- Colossians 4 (Epaphras)
tags: #spiritual #gifts #intercessory #prayer