Colossians 1:9
“And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,”
Paul modeled intercession beautifully. In each letter to a church, he would start with a greeting and then a prayer. In doing so, he was accomplishing more than praying for a specific church. He was showing believers how to support others in prayer. Paul demonstrated what it looked like to bring requests to the Lord on behalf of another. He prayed God’s heart, knowing what was good and holy, asking their needs be met, even beyond what they knew to ask. Not only did Paul pray for the churches he wrote to, he asked them for prayer in return when he had a need of his own. He knew he needed people interceding for him as he went about the Lord’s work.
You see, Paul knew the power of prayer. He met Jesus in the most supernatural way. When God literally stopped him in his tracks, Paul was radically transformed. His heart was set ablaze with a zealous love and passion to see people experience a true encounter with the living God. He knew the battles were truly fought in the spirit and not in the realm that could be seen with human eyes. He was aware of the entrapments of the enemy and he understood the power of the blood of Jesus.
This uncanny assurance led him to be unashamed about prayer. Coming to the Father in prayer was not the last resort or a cry for help because all was lost. No. Paul was confident when he prayed, God would hear him and answer. We have embraced and continued Paul’s legacy of prayer as demonstrated in the word of God, exemplified by our pastors, and modeled by others within our community.
Part of my testimony is my willingness to ask God for bold things. I have asked and he has answered. You see, I know he can and so I ask. As I do the work of abiding in the Lord and surrendering my will to his, he aligns my heart with the Holy Spirit in prayer. I have come to understand the gift of intercession is not just for me, but rather something meant for the good of the body of Christ. It is an honor to stand in the gap for others.
In Exodus 17, the Bible tells a story where Joshua the people of Israel in a battle against Amalek. Moses, along with Aaron and Hur, went to a nearby hill to watch the battle. With him, he carried the staff of God in his hand. When his hand was raised, the Israelites prevailed over Amalek. When Moses’ hand lowered the Israelites began to lose. As Moses’ hand grew tired, he needed help. Aaron and Hur positioned themselves on either side of Moses and held up his weary arms for him. They lent Moses their strength while he contended for the battle in prayer. That is what it looks like in the spiritual realm when we stand in the gap for one another in prayer and intercession.
We know that there is power in prayer and that God listens to prayers by his people for his people. Sometimes we are prompted to pray for someone or to read a verse and send it to them. We will not even know why. God is relational. Intercession allows us to be burden bearers and arm lifters for one another. We lend our strength to others when they don’t have it for themselves. And God will prompt people to do the same for us in return. It is amazing to witness someone when they realize God sees them and loves them so much that he has put them on the heart of another to intercede for them. All of a sudden they do not feel alone and hope springs up. It’s powerful. It is beautiful for us to listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and pray for others as he leads.
Listening Prayer:
Holy Spirit, who would you have me stand in the gap for today? What prayer strategies and verses do you want me to pray on their behalf? Pray as the Holy Spirit directs.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you that we as Christians are supernaturally connected by your Holy Spirit. I thank you that you hear our prayers and respond to the cries of your people. I praise you that I am never alone when I am in the valley. You have set people around me that I can ask to pray for me. I thank you that you created the body of Christ to stand in the gap for one another and encourage one another. I pray that you would use me in this way to bless others. Show me how to pray for others in a way that is aligned with you. Teach me strategies in prayer that affect the supernatural, advancing your kingdom’s purposes. As you help me grow in my prayer life, help me, in your name, to intercede with boldness. Tune my ears to be sensitive to your voice. I ask that when I have a need, you would surround me with people to do the same. Thank you for the gift of intercession. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Resource: Bible Verses On Standing In the Gap
Psalm 35:13
“But I, when they were sick— I wore sackcloth; I afflicted myself with fasting; I prayed with head bowed on my chest.”
Jeremiah 29:7
“But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”
Daniel 9:20
“While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my plea before the Lord my God for the holy hill of my God,”
Ephesians 6:16-20
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”
James 5:13-16
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”
Matthew 9:36-38
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”