3 Bible Tips: Intercessory Prayer
When we respond to prayer requests, we are participating in a form of supplication sometimes called intercessory prayer. We are praying fervently on behalf of someone else. Let's look at three examples in the Bible.
1. Abraham's concern for Lot led him to pray boldly for God to spare Sodom.
"And Abraham came near and said, 'Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?' So the Lord said, 'If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.'…
"Then he said, 'Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but once more: Suppose ten should be found there?' And He said, 'I will not destroy it for the sake of ten'" (Genesis 18:23-26, 32).
2. Daniel's love for his people led him to fast and pray for Israel.
"Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant, and his supplications, and for the Lord's sake cause Your face to shine on Your sanctuary, which is desolate. O my God, incline Your ear and hear; open Your eyes and see our desolations, and the city which is called by Your name; for we do not present our supplications before You because of our righteous deeds, but because of Your great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and act! Do not delay for Your own sake, my God, for Your city and Your people are called by Your name" (Daniel 9:17-19).
3. Jesus Christ set the highest example, as He interceded for all of us while we were sinners.
"Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong, because He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12).
For more details, see the article that inspired this item, "The Blessing and Responsibility of Intercessory Prayer."