What is Intercessory Prayer?

Intercessory prayer is the selfless act of praying on behalf of others. It is stepping into the "gap" between a person, situation, and God, and petitioning for God's mercy, intervention, healing, and blessing. When you intercede, you become a conduit of God's love, lifting the burdens of others to the throne of God's grace.

​

Think of it as spiritual advocacy. Just as a lawyer advocates for a client before a judge, an intercessor advocates for a person, place, issue or nation before our Heavenly Father. This prayer is not about your own needs, but about lifting up the needs of the world around you, aligning your heart with God's heart for other people.

​

The Bible is filled with examples of intercessors: Abraham praying for Sodom (Genesis 18), Moses praying for Israel (Exodus 32), Esther praying for her people (Esther 4), and most profoundly, Jesus Christ Himself, who "always lives to intercede" for us (Hebrews 7:25). We are called to follow in His footsteps.

​

How Intercessory Prayer Changes Lives, Situations & Circumstances

Intercessory prayer is not a passive wish; it is active spiritual engagement that releases God's power into the earthly realm. Here’s how it changes things:

• It Invites God's Intervention: Prayer is the means God has ordained to bring His will "on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10). When we pray, we invite the Creator of the universe to move in the lives of His creation. We may not see the "how," but we trust the "Who."

• It Breaks Spiritual Strongholds: Battles are often won first in the spiritual realm. Intercessory prayer can break chains of addiction, dismantle strongholds of fear and anxiety, and push back darkness in a person's life or a region (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

• It Softens Hearts and Opens Doors: Prayer can prepare a person's heart to receive truth, soften a hardened spirit, and open doors for the Gospel that seem naturally closed. It works in the unseen places of the human will.

• It Releases Healing and Provision: We see throughout Scripture that prayer brings physical healing (James 5:16), emotional restoration, and miraculous provision. Your prayers can be the catalyst for God's healing touch in another's life.

• It Expands You, the Intercessor: As you consistently pray for others, your own heart is transformed. You grow in compassion, selflessness, and spiritual discernment. You begin to see people and situations through God's eyes of love.

Remember: The change may not always look like we expect. God answers with wisdom—sometimes with a "yes," sometimes with a "no," and often with a "wait" or a different, better solution. Our role is to be faithful in asking, believing, and trusting His perfect will.

​​

Why You Should Pray for Others as You Pray for Yourself

Praying for others is not an optional spiritual discipline; it is a core commandment and a reflection of Christ-like love. Here’s why it’s essential:

• It is a Biblical Directive: Scripture is clear: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). Praying for others is the primary way we carry spiritual burdens.

• It Displays Godly Love: Godly love goes beyond self-love to loving others. When you intercede, you are actively loving your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). 

• It Fosters Unity Among The Body of Christ: Your prayers create a spiritual bond between you and the person you pray for. It reminds them (and you) that they are not alone. We are one body, and "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26).

• It is a Privilege and an Honor: Being trusted to bring someone's deepest needs before God is a sacred responsibility. It is a privilege to partner with God in His work of redemption and restoration in the lives of those around you.

• It Yields a Harvest of Blessing: The act of selfless prayer often circles back to bless you. As you sow seeds of prayer for others, you can trust God to meet your own needs in His time and way. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (2 Corinthians 9:6). This is also true when it comes to prayer.