What is an Example of a Prayer of Intercession?
When people ask what is an example of a prayer of intercession, it is not the first thing that comes to mind. They may think it is praying for someone else, asking a saint in heaven to pray for them, or any number of other things. Intercession is not the most common of prayer forms but it certainly is a powerful one.
Intercession is a form of prayer that moves beyond talking to God on a more casual level and reaches for the depths. It is a type of prayer where the intercessor takes hold of a spiritual weapon (the sword of the spirit) and uses it to fight for a miracle. This is not for the faint of heart as it can cost you your comfort and your ability to be fine with the status quo. It can even cost you physical hunger as you fast for the purpose of interceding. This is because the intercessor goes in between the Lord and the person they are praying for with the intention of pleading God’s case before Him.
This type of prayer is the most selfless of all prayers as it is not about you but about someone else. It is also the most difficult to do as it requires that you give up your rights and privileges in favor of a higher cause. It is like the parable of the persistent friend who knocks on the neighbor’s door at midnight asking for three loaves of bread. It takes persistence to get the attention of the person in charge who is asleep but once he hears the reason for your request, he will give you what you need.
The word intercede is Latin for “to go between” and it can be used to describe any situation where one person stands in the gap on behalf of another. It is a powerful prayer form because it allows you to stand between God and the person for whom you are praying.
It is a type of prayer that is commanded by the Lord in scripture, as in Daniel’s prayer where he stood between God and the nation to pray for forgiveness for their sins. It is also the type of prayer that Jesus Himself modeled.
The pope has stressed that intercession is a basic duty of every Catholic. He has reminded all Christians that it is a key to experiencing breakthroughs in their lives and the lives of those around them. It is a simple teaching that all believers need to be reminded of. Surely, this is something that should be taught in the classrooms of our churches so that it becomes an integral part of our Christian life. Then we will not be snared by the devil’s tactics to hide from the Lord and His ministry. Let us join together to make intercession our priority so that we can experience His miraculous power in our everyday lives. It is the only way to truly glorify Him and see His Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven.
