Both of my kids were born healthy, and we were able to take them home from the hospital in just a couple days. But this isn’t the case for many parents. In fact, people around the world have been praying recently for this young couple who, several months ago, had twin boys. One of the boys died at birth and other one has been in the hospital since he was born. He has some serious health concerns and every day one or both parents go to the hospital to love on him. I know that they would give anything to take him home or just hold him without wires and tubes. This couple serves at their local church and they have said, “We wouldn’t have made it through without the prayers of God’s people around the world.” They have felt God’s love, strength, power, and presence every day.
This is the power of intercession. In fact, intercession moves the hand of God. In the Old Testament, priests served in the Temple to make intercession for the people. In the New Testament, Jesus became our High Priest, abolishing the old sacrificial system. I think the writer of Hebrews may have been a priest because he spends a great deal of time talking about Jesus as our High Priest. Our verse says that He intercedes for us FOREVER. And in Hebrews 7:28, we read that Jesus is the PERFECT High Priest.
I think that we often forget that Jesus is ALWAYS going to the Father on our behalf. So when I’m discouraged, hurting, losing faith, struggling in the waiting, beaten down, worn out, confused, or being attacked by the enemy… Jesus goes to the Father on my behalf. He tells God of my struggles and asks Him to pour out all of His strength, grace, mercy, compassion, wisdom, and confidence into me. As my Intercessor, Jesus feels what I’m feeling. And it is a great honor for Him to intercede for me… for all of us. He NEVER stops going to the Father on our behalf.
The Bible says that we are “royal priests” (1 Peter 2:9). That means that we are to go to God on behalf of others. When I think of the power of intercession, I think of the battle in Exodus 17. The battle was raging in the valley, and Moses was on the mountain looking down. As long as his arms were lifted up, Israel was winning. But when his arms got tired, Aaron and Hur stood on either side of him holding them up. That’s a perfect picture of intercession. Our prayers can help people become victors. Our prayers for others can move the hand of God over their life and their situation. Intercession is a gift of the Spirit and for some people, that’s their primary gift. And these people spend all their time interceding. But we are all called to intercede.
Who does God want you to pray for today? Who is it that needs intercession? Jesus is always going before His Father on our behalf. Let’s do the same for others.