7/29/2019 The Ministry of Intercession

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Dr. Douglas A. Blanc, Sr. 2013

The Ministry of IntercessionFirst of all (a priority, not of time, but of importance), then, I urge (see Rom 12:1) thatsupplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people. (1Tim2:1 ESV)

Comparing some words (combining various elements of prayer in general)TheESV Study Bible note is: Paul's point is not to list all the ways to pray but to pile upvarious terms in reference to prayer for their cumulative impact. This is a call for all sortsof prayer for all sorts of people.

Supplications

These are urgent requests/petitions to meet a need. The Greek noun is The verb from which the noun is derived means to need or to lack, but appears in the NT with the sense ofentreaty, or please (Acts 8:34 and 21:39). With the exception of Matt 9:38 (Jesus re: the harvest), the term is

exclusive to Luke and Paul (Luke 5:12; 9:38; 8:28; 2 Cor 5:20; 10:2; and Gal 4:12). This word refers a type ofprayer that asks something of God: e.g. Jesus praying for Peter Intercession (Luke 22:32; see Heb 5:7), oPaul praying about his plans (Rom 1:10; 1 Thess 3:10). The verb appears in Acts 4:31 (prayed) with theaction (manner of prayer; urgency about a matter) described in 4:24-30. It is used of earnest intercessionperformed by Paul in Rom 10:1.

Prayers

This is similar to the above; petitionary prayer to God (both nouns appear in Eph 6:18; 1 Tim 5:5 and Phil 4:6

the present noun and the former verb appear in Rom 1:10). However, the Greek noun derived from

theverb is more restricted in meaning (both noun and verb appear in Jas 5:15-16). That is, wherethe above requests can refer at times to exchanges between people, this action is more sacred andexclusively refers to petitioning God. It is a compound which combines the act of wish or pray with the

preposition toward. This term (noun and verb) is a general reference to prayer (e.g. the customary practice oftemple-going Jews, Acts 3:1; Matt 21:13), but emphases its nature as communication with God. It mayinclude requests (as noted) and also thanks (see Eph 1:16; Col 4:2) and other spiritual qualities (e.grejoicing and persevering, see Rom 12:12). The manner of prayer is indicated by the action of beingdevoted to its exercise (see Col 4:2 and Acts 2:42; 6:4). Within the context of the end times as dominating thespiritual tenor of the age, we are admonished to the chief enterprise of prayer (1 Pet 4:7). We are to praybelieving (Matt 21:22) and earnestly (Jas 5:17). Prayer is also an intercessory enterprise (Rom 15:30).

Thanks

The Greeknoun is derived from the verb meaning to express gratitude for benefits andblessing to give thanks; thanksgiving. In English, the Eucharist is a term used with reference to the LordsSupper (1 Cor 11:24). Concerning the practice of prayer, these expressions of gratitude are offered in worship

to God. Paul describes the one returning thanks as doing so citing its basis (because, 1 Cor 1:4; Rom 1:8; 2Thess 1:3; 2:13). When used as a participle, the term identifies the occasion for which thanks is rendered toGod (1 Thess 1:2f; Phil 1:3f; Phlm 4f; Col 1:3f; Eph 1:15f). Those outside the faith (Gentiles) are notthankful to God (Rom 1:21). By contrast, believers are obligated to give thanks at all times and occasions forprayer (1 Thess 5:18; Col 3:17).

7/29/2019 The Ministry of Intercession

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Intercessions

The Greek noun is derived from the verb meaning, an interview, a coming together, to visitconverse, or for any other cause; that for which an interview is held, a conference or, a petition, supplicationThis also is a type of prayer that incorporates requests to God on behalf of a third party; a pleading that iseither for or against others. Paul uses the expression also in 1 Tim 4:5. In the extra-biblical literature, theconcept of the term refers to any writing addressed to the king to resolve matters with other parties (landdisputes, etc.).

What can we make of the ministry of intercession from Pauls comprehensive description of the motivation,manner, and mandate of prayer (he mentions the means/medium as well, Eph 6:18)?

The ministry of intercession

1. As noted above (First of all or Firstly), intercession is part of the ministry of prayer; a ministry thais THE priority of the believers individual and corporate life.

2. Prayer is a ministry because it is to be done on behalf of all people.

3. The idea is that by praying we engage God in THE dynamic enterprise that is designed to impact thelives of others for His kingdom. All other activities are secondary to prayer and meaningless withoutprayer (see John 15:5).

4. Hudson Taylor, pioneer missionary to inland China, referred to his spiritual secret as the ability to

move men by God through prayer. Through intercessory prayer there is a union between ourselvesothers, and God.

5. As a particular type of prayer ministry, intercession refers to the privilege of gaining entrance into thepresence of a sovereign (see of Esther, Esth 4:16-17). Considered a rare privilege, such an audiencewould permit one to share a request with either the expectation that an enemy could be defeated or afriend helped.

6. Of all the ministries for the believer to be engaged, intercession shares the unique quality of beingperformed by the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:26-27 and the Lord Jesus (Heb 7:25; Rom 8:34).

7. Following a lengthy description of spiritual warfare, the apostle Paul noted the primacy of prayer inEphesians 6:18. The tasks of praying and being alert with regard to the needs of all the saints arelinked with what the Spirit of God provides (in the Spirit).

8. Prayer issues from a life lived in the atmosphere of the Spirit. To disrupt the fellowship of such a life isto disrupt the effect of prayer (see Jas 5:13-20, where sin is regarded as THE obstruction to faith andconfession as the means for living righteously and praying effectively).

9. For the above reasons, the apostle Paul urges us to get our priorities in order where ministry isconcerned: Lord, I want to serve you. I will give you my life for this supreme call to service. What wouldyou have me to do? His answer: Pray. It is amazing that the apostle Paul asked similarly. His first actof obedience to God was to pray (Acts 9:11).

Why is it so important for us as well as for those for whom we pray that we continue to intercede for peopleeven when we dont feel like it (Did God need to bring Job to this point of spiritual maturity? See Job 42:10) owhen their situations seem to get worse the more we pray?

What more can we do, but pray? This means that prayer which is born from a life lived in the atmosphere ofthe Spirit and which determines to lay hold of God until an answer is given, cannot be exceeded by any othermeans of support. Of course, we can render practical help, but we must never abort the process of prayer untilGod has revealed the course and we have obeyed.

Diligence in the matter of prayer concerns its character/quality and not its exercise. Merely praying more is nothelpful if one is praying ineffectively. We ought to concern ourselves with the quality of our intercessions, ratherthan the quantity. What is impeding this ministry that the Lord has deemed to be my supreme calling?