Our High Priest intercedes on our behalf
Hebrews 7:25 'He is able to completely save those who come to God through Him as He always lives to intercede for them.'
Hebrews 4:16 'Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find God’s grace to help us in time of need.'
Proseuche/prayer Communion with God
Luke 6:12-13 Jesus went out to a mountain side to pray and spent the night praying to God. He chose 12 whom He designated Apostles.
Asking God to act Matthew 21:22 'If you believe you will receive whatever you ask in prayer'
Corporate prayer Acts 2:42 Devoted to apostles teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, prayer
Task of servants Acts 6:4 Attention to prayer & ministry of the Word.
Praying for others Acts 12:5 Church earnestly praying for Peter
Deesis/petition
Philippians 4:6 'Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer & petition present your requests to God.'
Hebrews 5:7 Jesus 'offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save Him from death, and he was heard because of His reverent submission.'
Entungchano/intercede. Petition.
Romans 8:27 'The Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God'
Romans 8:34 'Christ Jesus who died and was raised to life and is at the right hand of God interceding for us'
Hebrews 7:25 'He is able to completely save those who come to God through Him as He lives to intercede for them'
1 Timothy 2:1 'I urge then first of all that requests, prayers, intercession, and thanks be made for all.'
Can God act without our involvement? Indeed, but He wants us to participate.
THE CHIEF INTERCESSOR
Hebrews 4:14-16 We have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven Jesus the Son of God. We have a high priest who is able to empathize with our weakness, He was tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence.
John 17:6 I have revealed You to those whom You gave me out of the world. John 17:9 I pray for them I am not praying for the world but for those You have given me for they are yours. My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one. John 17:20 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message that they may be one just as You are in Me & I in you. John 17:24 I want those you have given me to be with me where I am & to see my glory the glory you have given me.
Jesus prayed only for those that the Father has given Him. Then & now.
Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him: Luke 23:34 'Father forgive them they know not what they are doing.' No sign of bitterness
Romans 15:3 'Christ did not please Himself.' 'The insults of those who insult you are fallen on Me.' Hebrews 2:17 Jesus is a merciful & faithful high priest.
John 5:30 Jesus always lived to please the Father: 'I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.'
John 9 The man born blind. This happened that the works of God might be displayed in his life. God at work prior to his salvation. He came to faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
Paul’s testimony Acts 26:14-18 'I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ”Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads. I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant & as a witness of what you have seen & will see of me. I will rescue you from my own people & from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them. To open their eyes & turn them from darkness to light & the power of Satan to God that they may receive forgiveness of sins & a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
Ephesians 6:19-20 'Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly as I should.'
(Note Paul did not ask prayer for those hearing his message. Prayer for him as God’s messenger)
1 Thessalonians 5:25 'Brother sand sisters, pray for us.'
Paul prayed for himself regarding his thorn in the flesh. The response from the Lord. 'My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. I will glory in my weakness that Christ’s power may rest on me.' 2 Corinthians 12:9
The thorn was used to keep Paul humble, usable, teachable. God mysterious will.
Paul’s greatest trial. God intervened 2 Corinthians 1:10-11 Gracious favour granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Paul interceded for his fellow Jews. Romans 10:1 'Brothers my heart’s desire & prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.' Some were saved, majority rejected.
Prayer for rulers: 1 Timothy 2:1-2 'I urge then that requests, prayers intercession & thanks be made for all. For kings & all in authority that we may live peaceful & quiet lives in all godliness & holiness.'
Paul interceded for churches:
Ephesians 1:17 'I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the glorious Father may give you the Spirit of wisdom & revelation so that you may know Him better. '
Paul thanked God for their fellowship:
Philippians 1:3-6 'In my prayers for all of you I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel, being confident of this that he who began a good work in you will complete it'
Romans 1:9-10 'I remember you in my prayers & pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.'
Paul prayed for Timothy. 2 Timothy 1:3,7 I constantly remember you in my prayers.
Corporate prayer Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer
Ephesians 6:18 'Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers & requests.'
Peter in prison Acts 12:2,5,6 The church was earnestly praying for him. Out of your mind. They were astonished. (Did they not believe their prayers would be effective?)
Persecution resulted in prayer Acts 4:24,32 They raised their voices in prayer to God.
Content of Intercessory Prayer:
Thanksgiving Philippians 4:6-7 'Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer & petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God & the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts & minds in Christ Jesus'
Affirm God for who He is. Acts 4:24 'You made heaven, earth sea & everything in them'
Affirm God for His Word. Acts 4:25 'You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant our father David.' After being threatened they raised their voices together in prayer to God
Affirm God for His sovereignty Acts 4:28 'They did what Your power & will had decided beforehand should happen'
Praise:
Romans 1:9-10 'I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you for your faith is being reported all over the world. I remember you in my prayers at all times & I pray that God willing the way will be open for me to come to you.'
2 Corinthians 9:14-15 'In their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.'
Philippians 1:3 'I thank my God every time I remember you.'
Acknowledge the problem
Acts 4:27 Herod & Pilate did what Your power & will decided should happen.
Matthew 6:8 'Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.'
Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer.....'
Ephesians 6:19 Be specific. Pray for me that when I speak words may be given to me.
Healing:
Acts 4:30 'Stretch out your hand to heal & perform signs & wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
James 5:16 'Confess your sins & pray for each other that you may be healed.'
Know the will of God
Colossians 4:12 'Epaphras is always wrestling in prayer for you that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature & fully assured'
Blockage in prayer:
Mark 11:25 'When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone forgive them so that your Father may forgive you your sins.'
Matthew 6:12,14-15 'If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you'
Job told to pray for his friends Job 42:10.' After Job had prayed for his friends, The Lord restored his fortunes.'
Enemies? Acts 7:60 Lord receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them. Saul incl.
Jesus intercedes for us.
Hebrews 7:25 'He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him for He intercedes for them'
Enemies Luke 23:34 'Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.'
Faithful Hebrews 2:17 Fully human in every way that He might become a merciful & faithful High Priest & make Atonement for the sins of the people.
Gentle Matthew 11:29 'I am gentle & humble in heart & you will find rest for your souls.'
Available Always Hebrews 7:25 'Always intercedes for them'
Note how many times prayer is asked for those who are believers, their ministry and preaching.
Not praying for the lost but praying for those God is using to reach the lost.
I wonder how much prayer is regarded by God as junk mail? Something to think through.
