Unpacking
Prayer
Part 22: Intercessory Prayer
Intercessory Prayer
1 Timothy 2:1-4
Therefore I exhort first of all that
supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who
are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For
this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our
Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth.
enteuxis
(έντεύξις)
A Specific Type of Prayer:
● In focus
- For others
- Listening to God as to how to pray
● In intensity
- Spiritual warfare
- Praying in response to a God-given burden
- “Out-of-body” type of spiritual prayer
● In practice
- Activation of spiritual gifts
prophetic
mercy
Intercessory
Prayer
tongues
word of
knowledge
faith
A Specific Type of Prayer:
● In focus
- For others
- Listening to God as to how to pray
● In intensity
- Spiritual warfare
- Praying in response to a God-given burden
- “Out-of-body” type of spiritual prayer
● In practice
- Activation of spiritual gifts
- Physical manifestations (Rom. 8:26)
Romans 8:18-27
For I consider that the sufferings of this present
time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the
creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but
because of Him who subjected it in hope; because the
creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with
birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also
who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption,
the redemption of our body. For we were saved in this
hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one
still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do
not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our
weaknesses. For we do not know what we should
pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes
intercession for us with groanings which cannot
be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He
makes intercession for the saints according to the
will of God.
An office or a gift?
● As an office
- Five-fold ministry offices (Eph. 4:11-12)
- Bishops and deacons
- An important role in the church
● As a spiritual gift
- Unlimited list of gifts?
- Meets criteria for a spiritual gift
۰ from the character of Christ
۰ edifies the body of Christ
۰ spiritual more than physical
Intercession may not be
a spiritual gift in the
body, but intercessors
are!