Overview
Most of our prayer lives are self-focused. That is not an accusation — it is a diagnosis. By nature, we pray about what concerns us: our health, our family, our finances, our future. The Bible calls us to something much larger and more costly: intercession. Standing before God on behalf of someone else. What makes this lesson profound is the revelation that intercession did not originate with us — it originated in the heart of the Son of God. He is doing it right now, at this moment, for you. We are called to join a ministry that Jesus Himself is already engaged in.
I. The God Who Intercedes — Jesus Our High Priest
"Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." — Hebrews 7:25 (NASB 1995)
Read that phrase carefully: He always lives to make intercession for them. This is not past tense. Jesus' death on the cross was a finished, once-for-all act. But His intercession is ongoing. Right now, at this moment, the risen and ascended Christ is before the Father, presenting His own blood and interceding for His people.
"Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us." — Romans 8:34 (ESV)
The One who is qualified to condemn us is the One who is instead interceding for us. The Judge has become the Advocate. In John 17, Jesus prays for protection, unity, sanctification, and glorification — not just for the eleven in the room, but for everyone who would ever believe through their word, which includes you (v. 20). You are in this prayer. When we intercede for others, we are joining a prayer meeting that Jesus is already leading.
II. God Looks for an Intercessor
"I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I found no one." — Ezekiel 22:30 (NASB 1995)
God is speaking about a nation in rebellion. He looks for an intercessor — someone to stand in the gap between His holy judgment and the people who deserve it, and plead for mercy. The tragedy is the ending: He found no one. That phrase should cause every believer to stop. God is looking for intercessors. Not perfect people. Not professional clergy. Just people willing to stand between God and those who need mercy, and plead on their behalf.
III. The Scope of Intercession — Who Does the Bible Say to Pray For?
1. For All People and Those in Authority: "I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority... God our Savior desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4, NASB 1995). This is the priority. Before specific petitions, there is a call to intercede broadly — for gospel access, for open doors, for the conditions in which salvation can go forward.
2. For Fellow Believers: "...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication... making supplication for all the saints." (Ephesians 6:18). The Body of Christ has one nervous system, and prayer is how we feel each other's pain and joy.
3. For the Sick: "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him..." (James 5:14-15). Praying for the sick is not naive superstition — it is obedience to a direct command.
4. For the Lost: "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved." (Romans 10:1). Interceding for the lost is an act of love — caring about where this person spends eternity.
5. For Our Enemies: "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44). This may be the most difficult command in all of Scripture. It requires a grace that only God can produce.
IV. Moses — The Portrait of an Intercessor
In Exodus 32, while Moses receives the law from God, Israel is below worshipping a golden calf. God offers Moses an escape hatch — "step aside, Moses, let justice fall, I'll start over with you." Moses could have taken it. Instead, he places himself between God and the people:
"But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people... Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel..." — Exodus 32:11-13 (ESV)
Moses does not defend Israel's sin. He appeals to God's own character — His reputation among the nations and His covenant promises. This is mature intercession: grounding your prayer not in human worthiness but in God's own faithfulness and glory. Then Moses goes even further: "But now, if you will forgive their sin — but if not, please blot me out of your book." (Exodus 32:32). He offers his own standing on behalf of the people. The willingness to bear the cost of someone else's sin before God is the spirit of intercession at its deepest level — pointing us forward to the One who literally took that cost upon Himself on Calvary.
Personal Application
- Create a written intercession list: three people far from God, two believers facing hardship, one government leader, one enemy or person who has wronged you. Pray through this list every day this week.
- Read John 17 in full and slowly. Note every person Jesus prays for and every specific request He makes. Remember: you are in this prayer.
- Find one person and ask: "Is there anything I can specifically pray for you about this week?" Then actually pray for what they tell you.
- Memorize 1 Timothy 2:1: "I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men." (NASB 1995)
Closing Challenge
Jesus is interceding for you right now. Every day. Without fail. The question is not whether He intercedes. The question is: are you joining Him?