Intercession - PART 3

SEVEN FUNCTIONS OF THE INTERCESSOR

1.  Called to serve

Intercession is to serve.  It is to surrender oneself and give yourself to be used by God.  (Mar 10:44-45) Servant hood is the heartbeat of intercession.  The Greek word for serve is “doulos” which meaning is “bound by choice” To submit in full under the ministry of serving

2. Called to do battle

Intercession is to be in battle.  It is to be in a place of confrontation (Luk 22:44) the word anguish drawn from the Greek word “agonia”, which meaning is “place of battle” when we intercede for others we fight a battle on their behalf and  when we achieve the victory we to are blessed!

3. Called to identify

Intercession is to identify yourself with others. (1 Cor 9:20) Paul identified himself with others.  To be a servant to someone else and to fight on behalf of someone else, it is to identify ourselves with that person or situation.  To serve is to submit under another, to fight (battle) on behalf of another is to get involved in a war and to strike down the enemy (satanic influence). What does it mean to identify in intercession?  It is constantly become sensitive for the need of others, we must learn to see & listen between the lines.  We as intercessors should watch prayerfully and listen attentively.

4. Called to share

Intercession is to make available what you have.  (Matt 10:8) If we want to be successful in any ministry we must become more Christ like.  It was in Christ’s nature to give, so the same we must also give.  Many times giving is not to give out of our abundance but out of our own need and lack.  We all still need to learn this secret that will unlock Gods abundance! (2 Cor 8:2-3) We need to give and give generously and not just financially but in love, joy, mercy, grace, compassion and much more.

5.  Called to reign

Intercession is to reign & rule with authority. It is to take up dominion. (Jer 1:10) Jeremiah was not a political leader or King, yet he was appointed to reign over the nations & kingdoms.  Kingdoms here refer to spiritual rulers, and nations refer to physical leadership.  Jeremiah had to uproot – to go the roots of the problem.  The "uproot" here means to press in through prayer and directly deal with the problem.  Strongholds and walls (barriers of resistance) needs to be pulled down and destroyed. (2 Cor 10:3-5) The ability to overthrow was also delegated unto Jeremiah – to quickly remove and displace with great power – overthrow.  Jeremiah also had to build & plant! We must remember that for true victory to be established whatever we uproot & remove, something in its place needs to be build & planted!  We certainly do not see farmers cleaning a piece of land which is full of weed, and then leaving it without planting anything in its place! This would be foolish!  In fact the weed will just grow back much stronger.  We clean because we are getting ready for the main purpose and objective, to plant and then obtain the harvest!  Let us clean the fields and plant twice as much for it is HE that will send the rains and makes all things grow.  (Isa 30:23)

6. Called to mourn

Intercession is brokenness before God.  It is when we come before Him in brokenness that He can move in His healing faithfulness! (Psa 126:5-6) We could almost make the following statement: tears are the water that feeds the seed!  We can be assured that a very rich harvest will be the result of our brokenness before God!  We should remember that being in a place of brokenness is not always a place of weakness! But I am positioned to see the Hand of God move in a mighty way!

7.  Called to die

Intercession is to die to one self.  It is the “me” that sometimes causes our most problems.  It is our own fleshly desires and wants that can get us into bondage and sin.  To be an intercessor is to be set free, to be dead for the things of the flesh and the things of this world!  We need to make the shift from being self-centered to being Christ centered.  As we discussed earlier our main goal and purpose is to be conformed in the likeness of Christ!  The more I want the image of the resurrected Christ in me, the more I also need to be conformed to His death!  (Phil 3:10) The place of intercession is a place of being dead to the things of this world and my own desires; we need to be dead to sin.  (Rom 6:11)

Intercession - PART 2

COMPASSION IN ACTION

(Joh 11:33)  We must stay focused! Remember that our main goal is not to grow in a ministry of gifting! But to become more Christ-like!  With Jesus Christ being our example and mentor, we as intercessors need the very same attributes and virtues as our mentor.  It is called COMPASSION!

Jesus Himself is compassion in action

Intercession starts with the very same attribute and virtue that Christ displayed, having a supernatural ability to sympathise and empathise with the pain and brokenness of others, which only the Lord can give us.  As we allow and give ourselves as intercessors so the Lord gives us also the gift of compassion.  It is true compassion that will bring us to a place of intercession.

Compassion is the starting point of intercession

COMPASSION is drawn from the following two Latin words;

a.    Com: Meaning – together, to join

b.    Pati: Meaning – to suffer, to have hurt

When we combine these two words, we can clearly see that it literally means to feel hurt and pain with someone; it is so much more than just feeling sorry for a person.  It is a dynamic Godly love that is released.  Jesus lived a life of intercession, when He prayed He did it with compassion.

To see Jesus pray is to see love on its knees!

Intercession is not a burden of prayer, but a burden of love which makes me pray earnestly! The more I love, the more I will pray!  When my love grows deeper and more intense for Him and others, so will my prayer life become deeper and more intense!  Before we can pray and intercede, we need to learn to love.  Let’s take up the powerful weapon of love (1 Cor 13:8) Love simply has the ability to not fail it was ultimately His love for us that saved us, that sets us free!  It is His great love for us that brought the Son down to earth.  When we have a Godly love in us it will surely bring the power of heaven down.  Paul confirms this in the first book of Corinthians chapter 12 (1 Cor 12:31) he encourages us to desire the gifts of the Spirit, and telling us that there is even a more excellent way! Love truly is the more excellent way!  Our intercession can become excellent if we chose and allow the Lord to deposit a Godly love within us and for those around us!

LOVE – ALWAYS PROTECTS

LOVE – ALWAYS TRUSTS

LOVE – ALWAYS HOPES

LOVE – ALWAYS PERSEVERES

(1 Cor 13:13)

Intercession can become a very challenging and overwhelming task, it is important that we will know and remain in His love, let us draw from Him. We don’t see the effects of it immediately.  As intercessors we are called to operate in and through the eyes of faith.  It is faith that allows us to see the outcome of a situation long before it even took place; prophetic vision (foresight) is needed.  This will bring us to a dimension of praying the victory, before the attack is even launched!

Intercession - PART 1

Intercession -The key to release heavens best

Intercession is the key to release the power of God and the best of God for the body of Christ (the church) and the world (Jer 29:11-14). The heartbeat of intercession is servanthood. We are all products of intercession.  Somebody somewhere prayed for the salvation of our souls, while we were totally unaware of it!

1.     We are born again because of our Eternal Intercessor, Christ Himself, gave His life for us as mediator on the cross more than 2000 years ago!

2.    We are born again because of other intercessors, some unknown, who broke the powers of darkness, which kept us from the fullness of the knowledge of Christ and what He has done on the cross for us.

TO PAY THE PRICE

The word intercede is drawn from the following two Latin words;

a.    Inter: meaning in between, to stand in, to get involved, to act

b.    Cede: meaning to move, to range oneself, to pay the price

• Intercession is to stand in between, to get involved in a battle between a person, a circumstance, and the enemy
• Intercession is to stand by those who are weak and is in need.
• Intercession is to move in the direction of involvement with taking into consideration the needs and brokenness of others.
• Intercession is to pay the price of involvement, just as Jesus did!

We can make the conclusion that intercession is much more than prayer.  It is a lifestyle.  It is a way of living! It’s all about my actions and my way of thinking.  Jesus is a perfect example of having a Spirit of intercession.  Just as Christ was the biggest gift to this lost world and gave His life, so our biggest gift should be the gift of intercession.

It’s all about becoming more conformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ!

FOUNDATION OF INTERCESSION

An Intercessor is a man or woman who fights on behalf of someone else.  To be an intercessor is to be identified with Christ!  It is to be like Christ.  Because that is what He is, He lives to intercede for us.  (Heb 7:25 & Rom 8:34)

Where does our journey start as intercessors just like Jesus? There are four fundamental principles to stand with us as we start our journey as intercessors.

Four Fundamental principles

1.  Our privilege as intercessors

Christ sits for all eternity at the right hand of the Father where he intercedes for all the saints.  When we as intercessors intercede, we have the privilege to stand with Christ in this exciting and challenging task.  It is to stand in partnership with Christ of which He is the Senior Partner.  Standing in this ministry of intercession is all about bringing a release of Gods goodness and Glory!  It is truly a privilege to operate in the throne rooms of heavens!

2.  Our position as intercessors

We have a divine position in Christ (Eph 2:6). We are seated with Him in heavenly places.  How do we have this position?  We have been brought into this position in and through Christ.  He raised us up out of the dead and made us alive! (Eph 2:4-5)

We can say that Christ rises up the intercessor, and is placed in a higher sphere or dimension of Godly activities in the heavenly arena (spirit realm). As royal and chosen people who are caught up in a battle for others, we function and operate from this elevated position with and in Christ!  We are crowned together with Christ as intercessors and are allowed and seated with Christ next to the Father.  We are not spectators in this spiritual war but partners in the administration of His Godly Kingly Authority! (Luk 10:19). We must remember that this Authority has been given and delegated unto us.  We must use it.  It is to speak to the mountain and to see it move! (Mar 11:22-24) It is at this level that the true intercessor is called to move in!  We are throne room commanders and carrying out the commands of our General Jesus Christ to cast down strongholds.

3.  Our promises as intercessors

Our main purpose of intercession is to see that the Kingdom of God is established here on earth. (Isa 11:9) John declares in the book of Revelation (Rev 11:15). With these scriptures we as intercessors are reminded that we operate and function under the promises and the Word of God.  It is our intercession and prayer that makes the impact and brings forth the breakthrough!  Missionary research shows that over 17000 ethnic groups still need to be reached with the gospel.  Intercessors realise that it is our prayer and intercession that breaks the chains that keep these groups from coming to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

4.  Our authority / power as intercessors

Jesus called His disciples together and said... (Luk10:19) Clearly we see a distribution and delegation of authority!  Not just any authority, no, this is the Son of God, the King of kings Himself.  Many of us don’t realise this that authority that you and I as believers possess is

Ø A Godly Authority

Ø A Kingly Authority

Ultimately those who chose to get involved and are willing to move and to pay the price, will be those who will be empowered to confront and defeat the forces and strongholds of darkness. (Matt 28:18) We as intercessors are representatives of the Kingdom of heaven carrying a kingdom agenda and at the same time having sympathy and empathy for the brokenness and hurt of others.  It is all about overflowing with compassion.

Winds of Change over our nations and goverments through the power of prayer and intercession

I believe that this age is mostly for the preparation for all of us who are called to be joint heirs with Christ and therefore to rule with Him. (Rom 8:15-19)

But still the Lord cares for the conditions and that which takes place here, right on earth. He certainly loves all people irrespective of race, colour, nationality or gender and I know that He desperately wants to intervene and intercept many of the circumstances right now here on earth. However, there is a need for us to intercede in prayer, when we seek Him, it allows His almighty hand to come into movement! “The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth has He given to the children of men.” Psa 115:16 The Lord delegated authority over the earth unto men, and He can only intervene if we start to ask Him to! This is why we need to pray and intercede although He already knows our needs.

Prayer warriors and intercessors, we have the ability to bring a release of His mighty Breath! Though we might not carry authority to determine what laws and rules governments implement, yet our sphere and realm that we operate in are far greater! We are throne room commanders (Luk 10:19), we function in the spiritual realm which will ultimately shift and bring change in the physical one. But the breakthrough and victory can only start on one place… our knees!

Prophetic authority

Prophetic authority is the moral authority and power to speak the truth and established by a just and righteous life.  I believe the “church” are called to speak and be a prophetic voice (Eph 3:10) If we continually seek Him, interceding and praying for our nation, government, etc, it will thrust us to a place where the deeper and hidden plans and purposes of the Lord are revealed, heavens strategies and secrets made known! (Jer 33:3) We will start prophesying, speaking and releasing His plans and purposes!  We become ushers of revival and breakthroughs, the miraculous and impossible taking place! What sound are you making? Is it a sound of hope, faith… is it His Word that comes forth from your mouth? Do you know that He will do the very things He hears you say! (Num 14:28) Dearly beloved I challenge you today to become a voice of hope, faith and prayer! Let’s usher in together the breakthrough!

A PRAYER FOR OUR NATION AND GOVERNMENT

Father, in Jesus Name, I give thanks for our country, its people and government. I recognise and acknowledge that all authority has been given and appointed by You. I hold up in prayer before You the men and women in positions of authority and all those in authority over us in any way. I pray that the Spirit of the Lord will rest upon them heavily. I release, in the Name of Jesus Christ, skillful and godly wisdom into their hearts and knowledge that is pleasant to them. I declare that discretion watches over them, understanding keeps them and delivers them from the way of evil and from evil men.  Your Word declares that “blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”, I receive Your blessings for this nation and its people, I declare salvation and safety over them. I release prosperity and abundance and I break the grip of poverty, violence, murder and destruction in Jesus Christ Name! Father Your Word declares that the heart of the king is in the hand of the Lord and that You turn it whichever way You choose or desire. I believe the heart of our leader is in Your hands and that decisions are divinely directed by You! I give thanks unto You that the Good News of the Gospel is published in our land and I release the power of the Gospel over this nation and people. I declare growth and victory in the hearts and lives of the people. In the Name of Jesus I decree open heavens, revival fire, healing and restoration.  I proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord over my country, its people and its leaders!

Scriptures: 1 Tim 2:1-2, Prov 2:11-12, Ps 33:12, Prov 21:1, Jer 1:12    

           

   

A Prayer for all our readers and followers!

Heavenly Father I pray for a release of heaven's best today, may we come to know and experience You in a much deeper and tangible way. I pray for a divine head-on collision with purpose and destiny, for You pre-ordained us towards good plans which You prepared for us in advance! I release upon your life today God-Encounters and God-breakthrough's that will shake the gates of hell...! I speak victory in your camp and destruction in every satanic, demonic attack against you in Jesus Christ Name!. I pray healing and restoration to be poured out in every area of your life and a new season of impossibilities made possible!
I announce and declare over your life a deeper and more intimate relationship with Him...!
I thank you Lord for the wind of Your Spirit blowing, a touch of Heaven that changes Earth!

In the Name of Jesus Christ
Amen!