Intercession refers to the act of praying or pleading on behalf of others. In the Christian tradition, intercession is a vital component of prayer, where believers approach God to seek His help, guidance, or mercy for others. From a Christian worldview, intercession reflects the love and concern for others that God commands, and it is modeled most perfectly in the intercessory work of Jesus Christ.

Biblical Foundations of Intercession

Old Testament Examples of Intercession

The concept of intercession is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where various figures act as intercessors for the people of Israel, pleading with God on their behalf.

• Abraham’s Intercession for Sodom:
  • Genesis 18:22-33: When God revealed to Abraham that He was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness, Abraham interceded on behalf of the cities, pleading with God to spare them if even a small number of righteous people could be found. This passage shows Abraham’s boldness in intercession and God’s willingness to listen to His servant.
  • Genesis 18:32: “Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?’ He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.'” Abraham’s intercession demonstrates the power of standing in the gap for others.
• Moses’ Intercession for Israel:
  • Exodus 32:11-14: After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, God’s wrath burned against them, and He threatened to destroy them. Moses interceded on their behalf, reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ intercession led God to relent and spare the people.
  • Exodus 32:32: “But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” Moses’ willingness to offer himself in place of the people highlights the sacrificial nature of true intercession.
• The Role of the Priests: In the Old Testament, the priests served as intercessors between God and the people, offering sacrifices and prayers on behalf of the nation.
  • Leviticus 16:17: “No one is to be in the tent of meeting from the time Aaron goes in to make atonement in the Most Holy Place until he comes out, having made atonement for himself, his household, and the whole community of Israel.” The Day of Atonement is an example of priestly intercession for the people.

New Testament Revelation of Intercession

The New Testament expands the concept of intercession, particularly through the person and work of Jesus Christ and the role of the Holy Spirit.

• Jesus as the Ultimate Intercessor:
  • Hebrews 7:25: “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” This verse highlights the ongoing intercessory role of Jesus, who, as our High Priest, continually intercedes for believers before the Father.
  • Romans 8:34: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Jesus’ resurrection and exaltation ensure that He is our eternal advocate, pleading our case before God.
• The Holy Spirit’s Role in Intercession:
  • Romans 8:26-27: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers, particularly when they are uncertain how to pray, aligning their prayers with God’s will.
• The Call for Believers to Intercede:
  • 1 Timothy 2:1: “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” Paul instructs believers to engage in intercession for others, emphasizing its importance in the Christian life.
  • James 5:16: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This verse underscores the effectiveness of intercessory prayer within the Christian community.

Historical Development of the Practice of Intercession

Early Church and Patristic Thought

The early Church placed a strong emphasis on intercessory prayer, seeing it as a vital part of the life of the Church and the responsibility of every believer.

• Intercession in the Early Church: The early Christians regularly prayed for one another, for their leaders, and for the world. This practice was rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who encouraged believers to pray persistently and with faith.
  • Acts 12:5: “So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” This example of the early Church interceding for Peter highlights the communal nature of intercessory prayer.
• The Role of the Saints: In the early Church, the concept of the communion of saints led to the practice of asking for the intercession of departed saints, particularly martyrs and apostles, who were believed to have a special closeness to God.
  • Revelation 5:8: “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” This verse was interpreted by the early Church as evidence of the saints in heaven offering prayers on behalf of believers on earth.

Medieval and Reformation Perspectives

During the medieval period, the practice of intercession expanded, particularly in the form of the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints. The Reformers, however, challenged some of these practices, emphasizing the sole intercessory role of Christ.

• Medieval Intercession: The medieval Church developed a rich tradition of intercessory prayer, often centered on the intercession of Mary, the saints, and the angels. The belief was that these holy figures could intercede on behalf of the faithful, presenting their petitions to God.
  • Hail Mary: The prayer “Hail Mary,” based on Luke 1:28 and 1:42, became a central part of Catholic intercessory prayer, asking for Mary’s intercession.
• Reformation Critique: The Protestant Reformers, such as Martin Luther and John Calvin, rejected the idea of praying to saints for intercession, arguing that Christ alone is the mediator between God and humanity.
  • 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” The Reformers emphasized this verse to argue against the practice of seeking intercession from saints and angels, insisting on the sufficiency of Christ’s intercession.

Modern Developments

In contemporary Christianity, intercession remains a key aspect of prayer, with various denominations emphasizing different approaches.

• Evangelical and Pentecostal Traditions: Evangelicals and Pentecostals place a strong emphasis on intercessory prayer, often encouraging believers to pray for revival, healing, and the needs of others. Prayer meetings and prayer chains are common practices in these traditions.
  • Ephesians 6:18: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” This verse underscores the call to persistent and comprehensive intercession.
• Catholic and Orthodox Traditions: In the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, intercession remains central, with prayers often directed to saints as well as directly to God. The intercessory role of Mary and the saints is particularly emphasized in these traditions.
  • The Rosary: The Rosary is a form of prayer in the Catholic Church that includes intercession, particularly asking for Mary’s intercession.

Theological Significance of Intercession

Reflecting the Heart of God

Intercession reflects God’s love and compassion for humanity. By interceding for others, believers participate in God’s work of bringing about healing, justice, and salvation in the world.

• God’s Desire for Intercession: The Bible portrays God as one who listens to the prayers of His people and desires that they intercede for others. Intercession is a way to align oneself with God’s will and purposes.
  • Ezekiel 22:30: “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” This verse shows God’s desire for intercessors who will stand in the gap for others.

The Role of the Church

Intercession is a vital part of the Church’s ministry. The Church is called to be a community of prayer, interceding for the needs of its members, its leaders, and the world.

• Priesthood of All Believers: In Protestant theology, the concept of the “priesthood of all believers” emphasizes that every Christian has the privilege and responsibility to intercede for others, not just ordained clergy.
  • 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” This verse supports the idea that all believers are called to intercede as part of their priestly role.
• Corporate Intercession: The Church is called to come together in corporate intercession, lifting up the needs of the community, the nation, and the world in prayer.
  • Acts 4:31: “After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.” This verse illustrates the power of corporate prayer and intercession in the early Church.

The Transformative Power of Intercession

Intercession not only brings about change in the circumstances for which prayer is offered, but it also transforms the one who prays. Through intercession, believers grow in love, compassion, and dependence on God.

• Spiritual Growth through Intercession: Praying for others helps believers to develop a deeper relationship with God and a greater concern for the needs of others.
  • Philippians 1:3-4: “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy.” Paul’s intercessory prayers for the Philippians reflect his deep love and spiritual connection with them.
• Intercession as Spiritual Warfare: Intercession is often viewed as a form of spiritual warfare, where believers engage in prayer to combat the forces of evil and to advance God’s kingdom.
  • Ephesians 6:12-13: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Intercession is part of the spiritual armor that Christians are called to put on in the battle against evil.

Conclusion

From a Christian worldview, intercession is a profound expression of love and faith, where believers join in God’s work by praying on behalf of others. Rooted in the examples of biblical figures like Abraham and Moses, and fully revealed in the intercessory work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, intercession is a vital aspect of the Christian life.

Historically, intercession has played a central role in the life of the Church, from the early Christian communities to the present day, with different traditions emphasizing various aspects of intercessory prayer.

Theologically, intercession reflects God’s heart for humanity, the Church’s mission in the world, and the transformative power of prayer. By interceding, believers participate in God’s work of bringing about His will on earth, growing in love, compassion, and dependence on Him.

In practice, intercession is an essential part of both personal devotion and corporate worship, where believers are called to pray for the needs of others, trusting in God’s power and mercy to bring about change.