There are those who have a special ministry in intercession - but do not forget, intercessory prayer is the God-given right of every born-again child of God. It is the blood-bought right of the redeemed to ask and receive from God. Our intercessory privilege is to come to God and ask on behalf of others and their needs.

To fail to take up this highest of all privileges, is to fail the needy around us, and sin against the grace of God that provides intercessors with this right (1 Samuel 12:23 ). That you may more urgently take up your right before God, let me lead you to a clear understanding of privileged intercession.

Intercession is related to the beginning of, and the continuing Christian life.

Christ the great intercessor bore our sins and made intercession for us as sinners:

Isaiah 53:12 "He bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors."

That intervention of Jesus on behalf of sinners becomes effective individually when we pray the sinner's prayer, as illustrated in this verse:

Luke 18:13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'"

Being brought to call on the Lord, and the confession of personal need, is often the result of someone obediently interceding for the sinner. I had a grandmother and parents who faithfully interceded for my soul. It is not surprising that I came to an early acceptance of Christ and His atoning work on the cross for me. My proud will was broken by faithful intercession on my behalf. I cried for God's mercy and experienced God's delivering power in Christ. Are there those who have begun their life in Christ because of your intercession?

In Colossians we read Paul's prayer for the believers. His intercession for them gives us an inspired example of development in Christ that is expected through specific petitioning.

Colossians 1:9-11 "For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and long-suffering with joy."

When we intercede like that for those in our care we will see them develop in Christ to maturity. Let us list the results:

	Confidently knowing God's will ( Colossians 1:9 ).
	Competently handling spiritual wisdom and understanding ( Colossians 1:9 ).
	Committedly living worthy of the Lord ( Colossians 1:10 ).
	Consciously pleasing the Lord ( Colossians 1:10 ).
	Contentedly bearing fruit in every good work ( Colossians 1:10 ).
	Consistently growing in the knowledge of the Lord ( Colossians 1:10 ).
	Continually strengthened with all power ( Colossians 1:11 ).
	Courageously enduring with patience ( Colossians 1:11 ).

Consideration of these wonderful results will inspire us to develop others in Christ through intercession, and make us greatly appreciate that we are privileged to have other's intercede for us.

The Hebrew word "paga" is translated "intercession" and "intercessor". In Isaiah 59:16 we are told that God wondered that there was no intercessor for man the transgressor, so God provided an intercessor in His Son. Isaiah 53:12 tells us how Christ became involved on behalf of transgressors, making intercession for them. The word "paga" means: "to impinge (encroach - intrude - invade) - come between - cause to entreat - make intercession (meet together) - pray". From this we can make the following description of intercession:

	INTERCESSION is vicarious, that is, in the place of others.
	INTERCESSION comes between the needy and God.
	INTERCESSION can involve the intercessor in suffering.
	INTERCESSION invades enemy territory for others.
	INTERCESSION makes entreaty for others.

In the New Testament, the Greek word "enteuxis" is used for intercession. Paul urges:

1 Timothy 2:1 "First of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men."

Again, in 1 Timothy 4:5 the same word "enteuxis" is used, but it is translated "prayer". This Greek word has the following meaning:

"Denotes a lighting upon, meeting with, hence a conversation - a petition (a meaning frequent in the papyri). It is a technical term for approaching a king, and so for approaching God in intercession, (i.e. seeking the presence and hearing of God on behalf of others)." Vine's excellent and valuable Dictionary of New Testament Words):

From this we make the following notes on intercession:

	INTERCESSION is sometimes a spontaneous and inspired act as suggested in the meaning "lighting upon".
	INTERCESSION is royal work, petitioning the King Eternal.
	INTERCESSION is a summit meeting and conversation with God.
	INTERCESSION is standing in God's presence for others.
	INTERCESSION is getting the ear of God on behalf of others.

Praying "one for another" (James 5:16 KJV) is a simple definition of intercession - the Bible is full of examples:

	Abraham pleaded for Sodom and Gomorrah, and Lot and his family were delivered.
	Moses made intercession for apostate Israel.
	Samuel prayed continually for the nation.
	David entreated God for his people.
	Daniel prayed for the deliverance of the Lord's people from Babylon.
	Christ prayed for His disciples, and made special intercession for Peter.

Paul was an example of his own exhortation to "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV): "... we ... do not cease to pray for you ..." (Colossians 1:9 ). It has been truly said: "The normal function of prayer is to make intercession with God for others."

We are commanded in God's Word to pray, and one of the important aspects of prayer, is intercession for others. We need have no fear in interceding because we are commanded to come to the throne with all outspokenness.

Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

We are also commanded:

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

How often this command is disobeyed in time of need, and instead of praying, anxiety is allowed to take full possession of us.

Bengel commented that "care and prayer are as mutually opposed as fire and water".

A problem can assume great proportions when anxiously dwelt upon. When the same problem is faced up to and fully talked out, it diminishes in size. When we obey the command to talk over our problems with God and petition Him, the matter is brought down to its smallness before the almighty power and loving care of our heavenly Father. The command to intercede is not made to intimidate us, it is made to release us. What a privilege to appear by command before our God,

Ephesians 3:20 "... that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."

We are commanded pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). To be occupied with every kind of prayer certainly includes intercession. Paul writes to Timothy urging that, "intercessions ... be made for all men" (1 Timothy 2:1 KJV). This means that everyone is the object of intercession. Obedience to God's command will be specific: members of our family, fellow believers, those with whom we work, our employers, the authorities, and whoever God lays on our hearts. Far from turning a deaf ear to us, such is our privilege that the Almighty commands our appearance before Him in intercession. Fulfilling this privileged command brings us into the friendship and fellowship of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord said to the disciples:

John 14:14-15 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, keep My commandments."

And again the Lord said:

John 15:14 "You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

Further obedience to this privileged command fills our cup of joy to the brim.

John 16:24 "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. "

Who can explain in words the fellowship and felicity of intercession? It must be experienced to be understood and appreciated.