1 Timothy 2:1 Amplified Bible (AMP)
First of all, then, I urge that petitions (specific requests), prayers, intercessions (prayers for others) and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all people,
If you are like me, you probably get overwhelmed by the needs that are around you. It seems like the world is getting darker and darker and the needs of those around us are getting bigger and bigger. That natural thing to do is to complain and many of us take that route but instead we should pray for one another.
To intercede means to intervene in the place of another. It is to take on the burden of another or even a Nation and to carry it to God as though it was your own. To intercede is to hold on to the promises of God and refuse to let go. It is a position of warfare where we stand our ground for the sake of another.
One of the greatest prayers of intercession is found in the book of Genesis 18 where Abraham is interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah because God was about to destroy the two cities.
GENESIS 18:23-25 AMP
Abraham approached [the Lord ] and said, “Will You really sweep away the righteous (those who do right) with the wicked (those who do evil)? Suppose there are fifty righteous [people] within the city; will You really sweep it away and not spare it for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing–to strike the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right [by executing just and righteous judgment]?”
When was the last time you and I were relentless in the presence of God presenting the needs of others or even praying for souls of loved ones to see the light or even our leaders and the nation. In fact the Bible does tell us that prayers and Intercession should be made for all leaders; it is our responsibility to do so.
May we get the burden to go before the Lord with a burden for others and never give the excuse that we are not intercessors because the truth is, all believers are called to intercede and pray for others.
