4.2. SELF-EXPRESSION

Our operation for intercession goes further than self examination - it must go on to self-expression:

1 John 1:7,9 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

The intercessor expresses himself in confession because of his walk in the light. Walking in the light as He is in the light, as

Alford notices: "is no mere imitation of God, but an identity in the essential element of God's eternal being."

To say that we never miss-step (sin) in identification with God's character is, of course, deception (1 John 1:8 ). Bathing in the pure light of God, as we fellowship in intimate intercession, will wring personal confession from us, like that of Isaiah:

Isaiah 6:5 "... Woe is me! ... I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."

Upon such expressions of confession, cleansing was immediate:

Isaiah 6:6-7 "Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged."

As we confess our imperfections in the light of His perfection, the blood of Jesus cleanses us. As to our state in Christ, we are justified by His blood - we are in God's sight just as if we had never sinned, covered by the blood of Jesus. But as to our daily walk, we experience the daily purifying work of the blood of Jesus. We experience present sanctification. As His light exposes our need and we express it, so there is present cleansing. The very nature of our fellowship with God and His saints brings about a progressive sanctification of the intercessor.

The intercessor is prepared by this expression of confession, to see things from God's viewpoint, and have removed from his life anything that would hinder what God wants.

1 John 4:4 "... greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

The intercessor has the Holy Spirit indwelling him and upon him, and is able to take authority over the spirit of Antichrist in the world, and false teachers. Knowing and expressing our authority and all the power of the Holy Spirit is correct preparation for intercession. When experiencing enemy attacks, practice what James writes:

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Look at your submission in preparation for expressing your authority. It was because the centurion was in submission to the authority over him, that he was able, with that authority, to say to one: "Go," and he would go, and to another: "Come," and he would come (Luke 7:8 ). He knew that Jesus was in total submission to the Father, and therefore had authority, and His word spoken over sickness would bring healing to his servant.

A breakdown in submission brings about a breakdown in authority. A mother who breaks her submission to her husband and father of her son, must not be surprised when her son refuses submission to her authority, because her authority is derived from her husband. Again, the husband who is not in submission to his pastor, usually finds his family not in submission to him. God has appointed the roles of authority, and all submission to authority is submission to God. When we get out of order, the devil exercises rights over us.

True submission is preparation for the expressing of true authority. We can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. In my experience, those who do not submit to God-given authority, are open to deception and being overcome by the enemy. Let intercessory men see to their submission to God, and to leaders who are put over them by God.

Hebrews 13:17 "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. "

Also, let the intercessory women see to their submission to their husbands.

Ephesians 5:22 "Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord."

Wives must be in submission to their husbands, who are their spiritual leaders, then they will have authority in prayer.

A word to the singles, whether male or female. Be in submission to parents. The word to obey parents, in Ephesians 6:1, is written for all ages; teens, and twenties, and thirties. At home you are, in God's sight, under parental authority. The God of order and authority will not bless haughty pride, disobedience, or lack of submission. Every intercessor is one, for the whole body of Christ, and should submit the results of their intercession to the body through its appointed leadership.

Look to your submission, Intercessor, and you will be able to express authority in praise. Preparation for intercession involves expression in praise. Obey the exhortation in Hebrews:

Hebrews 13:15 "By him (Jesus) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name."

Expressing faith is a wonderful preparation for times of intercession because, as Hebrews teaches:

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him ..."

I find that reading the promises of God's Word aloud to God, is a great faith builder. Try it. You will find it works. Having completed your faith build-up, now "ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:6 KJV).

This is very necessary to complete your preparation for intercession.

This, of course, is not an option, it is a command.

Ephesians 5:8 "... be filled with the Spirit."

Jude 20 "... building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit ..."

Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us ..."

Romans 8:27 "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

We deal more fully with the Holy Spirit's part as our mighty helper in intercession, in the chapter, Prophetic Intercession. Having prepared by self-examination, self-expression, and self-exposure, you are now ready to enter the courts of the King Eternal with specific petitions and intercessions.