Intercession: A ministry from Heaven
Have you ever felt in anguish as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever cried or wept while praying? Jesus did. Have you ever groaned or felt burdened as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever wept about or over a city? Jesus did. These more physical or emotional aspects of our humanity were in evidence as Jesus prayed. It’s what happens when we ‘intercede’. Our humanity and his deity become linked. He was interceding!
Have you ever felt in anguish as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever cried or wept while praying? Jesus did. Have you ever groaned or felt burdened as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever wept about or over a city? Jesus did. These more physical or emotional aspects of our humanity were in evidence as Jesus prayed. It’s what happens when we ‘intercede’. Our humanity and his deity become linked. He was interceding!
For some people, however, the activity associated with the word intercession signifies something ‘other worldly’ – something a bit mysterious, outside our ball-park – even regarded as a bit elitist. Whereas for others the terms ‘intercession, or interceding’ are used as alternatives to ‘prayer, or praying’. Scripture, however, clearly points out that there is a profound difference. We can all pray, without necessarily interceding, but we can’t intercede without praying! Intercession is more than mere words!
In the Authorised Version of the Bible, the words used for prayer are different from the words used for intercession. Both Old and New Testament use a variety of words which are translated as pray or prayer – usually meaning to supplicate, beseech, ask for. Nearly every time the words ‘intercede’ or ‘intercession’ are used, the word used is different. In Hebrew it is ‘paga’ and in Greek it is ‘entugchano’. And every time the word is used, it is used in relation to communication between or from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The two exceptions are in 1 Timothy 2:1 and Romans 8:26. The former is an entreaty from Paul to Timothy, and the latter (also from Paul) is referred to as the action of the Holy Spirit on our behalf – “The Spirit intercedes for us”. The activity of heaven in communication terms is to intercede, and the apostle Paul in both instances wants us to experience something of what real intercession is all about.
‘Paga’ and ‘entugchano’ are never translated as ‘prayer’ or ‘pray’ in the Authorised Version – but always as ‘intercede’ or ‘intercession’. Let’s have a look at the different references.
In the Old Testament the most memorable is from Isaiah 53:12. Prophetically Jesus is seen as the sacrifice for sin, for the world and for us. In the process of his suffering, “He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors, for he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” His act of self-sacrifice and all that it entailed is viewed as an act of intercession. What he felt, what he did and why he did it was ‘intercession’, as he entreated the Father on our behalf. His whole ‘being’ was involved. It was communication between the Son and the Father. But it was far more than mere words.
Also, in Isaiah 59:16 the word is used. God is looking for someone to intercede but is appalled that there is none ready to stand in the gap and make supplication. He is looking for someone to engage with him in the heavenly activity called ‘paga’. But there was no one! Please note – it was a heavenly inspired activity.
Three times in Jeremiah (7:16, 27:18, 37:25) the word is used also. But in each case Jeremiah’s use of the word ‘paga’ is in relation to the human activity of entreaty. Intercession doesn’t take place because the connection with God in heaven is not occurring.
In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘entugchano’ is used to refer to the Son’s communication with his Father in heaven and between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We see this particularly in Romans 8, where the Spirit’s work in us is intended to bring us into harmony with the will and purposes of heaven, to make us one with the Father and the Son in everything – including intercession – the activity of heaven! This includes groans, knowledge and understanding that we don’t have but surely need as we align with God’s purposes and will.
And in the midst of it all Christ is interceding for us, along with the Spirit. And where is he doing that? At God’s right hand! In the place of intimacy, authority, perspective and understanding. So, the Spirit takes us beyond what we know, understand and feel – he intercedes for us and with us, along with Christ. And with whom are they doing this? The Father in heaven. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus “Lives to intercede for us”, if, as and when we come to God through him. So, when we intercede we are joining in with the communication, purpose, understanding and will of the Trinity in heaven! He does so as our high priest! We are included in heaven’s conversation! How awesome is that?!
This doesn’t happen casually. It usually happens when there is divine purpose in view. We may start praying for a people group or a nation or a situation in the news, with little understanding or background. As we take time to find out more and to persist in praying, there may come a time when God sees that we are serious and maybe burdened about what we are praying, so he begins to entrust us with more of heaven’s understanding, feelings, pain, purpose and specific plans.
That’s probably why so many who start praying for a place or country end up going there and engaging in real time with the needs of the people and the purposes of God. They capture something of heaven’s burden and plans. And then become the answer to their own prayer – and the prayer compiled in heaven, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven”.
There may also be times when God make us aware of situations that do require action, so he begins to give insight and understanding that then produces ongoing prayer, leading to eventual action. That, I think, may be how God begins his search for someone “to stand in the gap on behalf of the land”.
We talk about the ‘baptism of tears’. Often we become aware of the feelings of God when we start to weep as we pray – sometimes uncontrollably. Jesus wept when he prayed – in the Garden, at the tomb of Lazarus and over Jerusalem. Sometimes that outburst of weeping catches you unawares, triggered by a phrase, a memory, a real-time situation.
Over the years of my life there have been a number of times when that has happened. I was invited to meet with a Kenyan leader who was visiting this country. She told me of the pain that Kenya felt as a result of British occupation and the tribal warfare that had ensued following the period of the Mau Mau uprising. Although this had been in the international news, I knew little of the background. It was as we prayed together that I started to weep. Although the situation had not previously been “on my radar”, I knew from that moment on that God had put it there and at some time and place God would tell me to do something about it!
Subsequently I visited Africa many times, occasionally flying through Nairobi enroute to somewhere. Each time I would ask God, “Is it now you want me to engage”? But there was no answer from heaven. Then, after having just arrived home from one of those trips, I received a message from my friend, John Robb saying that he was leading a small prayer team to Kenya in two weeks’ time and was I able to be there?! The Spirit of God within me leapt! I knew I had to be there. At the time there was civil conflict in Kenya and long-running tribal warfare was taking place.
On our first day in Nairobi, we met with Kenyan leaders for a day of prayer in a Prayer Centre. After a morning of engaging with the situation in prayer, we sensed that God had answered prayer and that we had “broken through”. We confidently and boldly declared that, “today by 5pm a peace deal would be signed and that hostilities would end.” Unbeknown to us, Kofi Annan, the then United Nations General Secretary was in town. At 5pm that day it was announced on television that a peace deal had been signed, brokered by him. But God had orchestrated the timing of it all and had us there to pray for his purposes for that country to be fulfilled!
Subsequently I visited the country with a British team a couple of times for more in-depth ministry, going to some of the provinces and to iconic places to do with Kenya’s colonial history. We had some prestigious meetings, appeared on television and generally took further the effects of that first visit as we sought to deal with that history. Each time the weeping occurred. Just a few months ago this process reached another milestone when at a National Prayer Breakfast for Kenya’s politicians a British intercessory leader “stood in the gap” on the same issues before them and wept as she apologised for the sins of empire.
There are other nations where I have seen the hand of God, the timing of God, the call of God worked out – known in heaven and imparted to some of us on earth! Like the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the ending of the Bosnian War. Sometimes God wants us to put ‘boots on the ground’, in other situations he wants us to pray from afar.
Have you ever felt in anguish as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever cried or wept while praying? Jesus did. Have you ever groaned or felt burdened as you prayed? Jesus did. Have you ever wept about or over a city? Jesus did. These more physical or emotional aspects of our humanity were in evidence as Jesus prayed. It’s what happens when we ‘intercede’. Our humanity and his deity become linked. He was interceding!
For some people, however, the activity associated with the word intercession signifies something ‘other worldly’ – something a bit mysterious, outside our ball-park – even regarded as a bit elitist. Whereas for others the terms ‘intercession, or interceding’ are used as alternatives to ‘prayer, or praying’. Scripture, however, clearly points out that there is a profound difference. We can all pray, without necessarily interceding, but we can’t intercede without praying! Intercession is more than mere words!
In the Authorised Version of the Bible, the words used for prayer are different from the words used for intercession. Both Old and New Testament use a variety of words which are translated as pray or prayer – usually meaning to supplicate, beseech, ask for. Nearly every time the words ‘intercede’ or ‘intercession’ are used, the word used is different. In Hebrew it is ‘paga’ and in Greek it is ‘entugchano’. And every time the word is used, it is used in relation to communication between or from the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The two exceptions are in 1 Timothy 2:1 and Romans 8:26. The former is an entreaty from Paul to Timothy, and the latter (also from Paul) is referred to as the action of the Holy Spirit on our behalf – “The Spirit intercedes for us”. The activity of heaven in communication terms is to intercede, and the apostle Paul in both instances wants us to experience something of what real intercession is all about.
‘Paga’ and ‘entugchano’ are never translated as ‘prayer’ or ‘pray’ in the Authorised Version – but always as ‘intercede’ or ‘intercession’. Let’s have a look at the different references.
In the Old Testament the most memorable is from Isaiah 53:12. Prophetically Jesus is seen as the sacrifice for sin, for the world and for us. In the process of his suffering, “He poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors, for he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.” His act of self-sacrifice and all that it entailed is viewed as an act of intercession. What he felt, what he did and why he did it was ‘intercession’, as he entreated the Father on our behalf. His whole ‘being’ was involved. It was communication between the Son and the Father. But it was far more than mere words.
Also, in Isaiah 59:16 the word is used. God is looking for someone to intercede but is appalled that there is none ready to stand in the gap and make supplication. He is looking for someone to engage with him in the heavenly activity called ‘paga’. But there was no one! Please note – it was a heavenly inspired activity.
Three times in Jeremiah (7:16, 27:18, 37:25) the word is used also. But in each case Jeremiah’s use of the word ‘paga’ is in relation to the human activity of entreaty. Intercession doesn’t take place because the connection with God in heaven is not occurring.
In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘entugchano’ is used to refer to the Son’s communication with his Father in heaven and between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We see this particularly in Romans 8, where the Spirit’s work in us is intended to bring us into harmony with the will and purposes of heaven, to make us one with the Father and the Son in everything – including intercession – the activity of heaven! This includes groans, knowledge and understanding that we don’t have but surely need as we align with God’s purposes and will.
And in the midst of it all Christ is interceding for us, along with the Spirit. And where is he doing that? At God’s right hand! In the place of intimacy, authority, perspective and understanding. So, the Spirit takes us beyond what we know, understand and feel – he intercedes for us and with us, along with Christ. And with whom are they doing this? The Father in heaven. Hebrews 7:25 tells us that Jesus “Lives to intercede for us”, if, as and when we come to God through him. So, when we intercede we are joining in with the communication, purpose, understanding and will of the Trinity in heaven! He does so as our high priest! We are included in heaven’s conversation! How awesome is that?!
This doesn’t happen casually. It usually happens when there is divine purpose in view. We may start praying for a people group or a nation or a situation in the news, with little understanding or background. As we take time to find out more and to persist in praying, there may come a time when God sees that we are serious and maybe burdened about what we are praying, so he begins to entrust us with more of heaven’s understanding, feelings, pain, purpose and specific plans.
That’s probably why so many who start praying for a place or country end up going there and engaging in real time with the needs of the people and the purposes of God. They capture something of heaven’s burden and plans. And then become the answer to their own prayer – and the prayer compiled in heaven, “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven”.
There may also be times when God make us aware of situations that do require action, so he begins to give insight and understanding that then produces ongoing prayer, leading to eventual action. That, I think, may be how God begins his search for someone “to stand in the gap on behalf of the land”.
We talk about the ‘baptism of tears’. Often we become aware of the feelings of God when we start to weep as we pray – sometimes uncontrollably. Jesus wept when he prayed – in the Garden, at the tomb of Lazarus and over Jerusalem. Sometimes that outburst of weeping catches you unawares, triggered by a phrase, a memory, a real-time situation.
Over the years of my life there have been a number of times when that has happened. I was invited to meet with a Kenyan leader who was visiting this country. She told me of the pain that Kenya felt as a result of British occupation and the tribal warfare that had ensued following the period of the Mau Mau uprising. Although this had been in the international news, I knew little of the background. It was as we prayed together that I started to weep. Although the situation had not previously been “on my radar”, I knew from that moment on that God had put it there and at some time and place God would tell me to do something about it!
Subsequently I visited Africa many times, occasionally flying through Nairobi enroute to somewhere. Each time I would ask God, “Is it now you want me to engage”? But there was no answer from heaven. Then, after having just arrived home from one of those trips, I received a message from my friend, John Robb saying that he was leading a small prayer team to Kenya in two weeks’ time and was I able to be there?! The Spirit of God within me leapt! I knew I had to be there. At the time there was civil conflict in Kenya and long-running tribal warfare was taking place.
On our first day in Nairobi, we met with Kenyan leaders for a day of prayer in a Prayer Centre. After a morning of engaging with the situation in prayer, we sensed that God had answered prayer and that we had “broken through”. We confidently and boldly declared that, “today by 5pm a peace deal would be signed and that hostilities would end.” Unbeknown to us, Kofi Annan, the then United Nations General Secretary was in town. At 5pm that day it was announced on television that a peace deal had been signed, brokered by him. But God had orchestrated the timing of it all and had us there to pray for his purposes for that country to be fulfilled!
Subsequently I visited the country with a British team a couple of times for more in-depth ministry, going to some of the provinces and to iconic places to do with Kenya’s colonial history. We had some prestigious meetings, appeared on television and generally took further the effects of that first visit as we sought to deal with that history. Each time the weeping occurred. Just a few months ago this process reached another milestone when at a National Prayer Breakfast for Kenya’s politicians a British intercessory leader “stood in the gap” on the same issues before them and wept as she apologised for the sins of empire.
There are other nations where I have seen the hand of God, the timing of God, the call of God worked out – known in heaven and imparted to some of us on earth! Like the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the ending of the Bosnian War. Sometimes God wants us to put ‘boots on the ground’, in other situations he wants us to pray from afar.
Going into war zones is what many of the Flame International team are used to! They have been trained about what to do in war-torn areas. But they need wisdom from heaven and the timing of God to know when, where, why and what to do.
But you may not be asked by God to go into an actual battlefield, but into a battle for your ‘field’. That may be your street or neighbourhood, town or city. To do so requires persistence in prayer, finding out as much as you can about what the evil one is up to and how you can claim or reclaim the territory, so that the place becomes known for expressions of the love of God. When and if God calls you to go elsewhere, out of your comfort zone, you will be applying lessons learned on your doorstep, so to speak.
As you pray intently, intercessor-ily and regularly, you should expect God to give you revelation. What is on his heart? What is his strategy? Does he have a timetable? Are there others that he wishes to introduce to you with whom you should pray? You should also do some of your own research into the location, history, reputation and anything else that may be highlighted by the Holy Spirit as important elements for prayer. God knows everything! But he waits for us to ask, “Lord what do you see is the real need here?” “Do you have a timetable?” Intercession is us and God in harmony, so that the will of God in heaven can be done on earth as and when he wishes.
This world is full of uncertainties, that could fill us with dread, or hope. If we merely look around us and listen to the News, we get an earthly and limited perspective. But if we look to heaven and seek to align ourselves with heavenly vision and understanding we will have a different perspective.
God is the one who causes wars to cease – but how and when and in what way will be different in each situation. Our task is to seek the mind of the Spirit, the timing of God (even down to date, time and place), and to ask him, “Lord, what is your assignment for me in this situation?” Then, don’t be surprised if he asks you to be involved in helping to make things happen on earth. That’s what happens when we ‘intercede’!
But you may not be asked by God to go into an actual battlefield, but into a battle for your ‘field’. That may be your street or neighbourhood, town or city. To do so requires persistence in prayer, finding out as much as you can about what the evil one is up to and how you can claim or reclaim the territory, so that the place becomes known for expressions of the love of God. When and if God calls you to go elsewhere, out of your comfort zone, you will be applying lessons learned on your doorstep, so to speak.
As you pray intently, intercessor-ily and regularly, you should expect God to give you revelation. What is on his heart? What is his strategy? Does he have a timetable? Are there others that he wishes to introduce to you with whom you should pray? You should also do some of your own research into the location, history, reputation and anything else that may be highlighted by the Holy Spirit as important elements for prayer. God knows everything! But he waits for us to ask, “Lord what do you see is the real need here?” “Do you have a timetable?” Intercession is us and God in harmony, so that the will of God in heaven can be done on earth as and when he wishes.
This world is full of uncertainties, that could fill us with dread, or hope. If we merely look around us and listen to the News, we get an earthly and limited perspective. But if we look to heaven and seek to align ourselves with heavenly vision and understanding we will have a different perspective.
God is the one who causes wars to cease – but how and when and in what way will be different in each situation. Our task is to seek the mind of the Spirit, the timing of God (even down to date, time and place), and to ask him, “Lord, what is your assignment for me in this situation?” Then, don’t be surprised if he asks you to be involved in helping to make things happen on earth. That’s what happens when we ‘intercede’!
INTERCESSION HUBS Flame are gathering groups of people who have a heart to see the gospel spread throughout the nations. If you’re interested in joining an Intercession Hub please contact Tristan@flameinternational.org or visit flameinternational.org/hubs
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