Unpacking Prayer Part 22 Intercessory Prayer Intercessory Prayer

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!