Intercession is a powerful way to connect with God and stand in the gap for others. Often considered praying for others, but it is so much more. It’s a practice that has been embraced by many spiritual leaders and believers throughout history to impact their spheres of influence. Imagine being part of a prayer movement that brings about real change in your community and beyond. Here are seven secrets to enrich intercession in your own life.
1. Draw Close to God
The foundation of effective intercession is a close relationship with God. James 4:8 reminds us, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” This intimacy with God is crucial as it aligns our hearts with His will. Rees Howells emphasized the importance of being in tune with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide our prayers.
2. Pray with a Clean Heart
Psalm 66:18 states, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Confession and repentance are essential before we intercede for our nation or others. Beni Johnson often spoke about the importance of approaching God with a pure heart, free from unconfessed sin, to ensure our prayers are pure and effective.
3. Pray Scripture
Praying the Word of God is a powerful tool in intercessory prayer. The Bible is full of promises and truths that we can declare over situations and people. Andrew Murray highlighted the significance of praying Scripture, as it aligns our prayers with God’s will and releases His power into the circumstances where we are wanting Him to act.
4. Partner with Others
There is power in united prayer. Matthew 18:19 says, “If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Partnering with others in prayer not only strengthens our faith but also amplifies our prayers. Rees Howells often gathered groups to intercede together, believing in the collective power of prayer.
5. Intercede by Faith
Faith is the cornerstone of anything effective in God’s kingdom. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” We must believe that God is able and willing to act in accordance to whatever we give over as intercession. Allison Shorter shares how with God can be simple, fun, and creative. Sometimes taking groceries to someone can release God’s presence.
6. Listen to the Holy Spirit
Effective intercession is led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:26 says, “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.” Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our prayers ensures that we are praying according to God’s will. Andrew Murray often spoke about the importance of being sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in prayer.
“If we know we’ve heard from God, we can pray, intercede, and be at peace. We’ve done our job, and now He will do His.” – Allison Shorter
7. Enter into God’s Rest
Finally, effective intercession involves entering into God’s rest. Hebrews 4:10 encourages us to rest from our works as God did from His. This means trusting in God’s sovereignty and His ability to work all things for good. Dutch Sheets often taught about the importance of resting in God’s promises and trusting Him to bring about the answers in His perfect timing. We are not twisting God’s arm to act; we are partnering with Him on what He already wants to do.
Conclusion
Intercession is a profound way to partner with God in bringing His will to earth. By drawing close to Him, praying with a clean heart, using Scripture, partnering with others, praying with faith, listening to the Holy Spirit, and entering into God’s rest, we can become effective intercessors. Let’s embrace these secrets and stand in the gap for those in need, trusting that our prayers can make a significant impact.
Additional Resources
- Creative Intercession – Allison Shorter
- Rees Howells, Intercessor – Norman Grubb
- The Happy Intercessor – Beni Johnson
- The Secret of Intercession – Andrew Murray
- Intercessory Prayer – Dutch Sheets
I hope this blog post inspires and equips you to engage in powerful intercessory prayer. If you have any thoughts or experiences to share, feel free to leave a comment below!