Virtually every church where the Gospel is preached in power has a small group of intercessors that gathers regularly for prayer. They believe that prayer matters, that prayer changes things.
Sometimes those who participate in intercession can seem, to the average churchgoer, a bit “super-spiritual”, a tad intense, perhaps even morose. More often than not, the majority of the group is comprised of older women who would seem to have a specific calling on their lives to “labour in prayer” for the burdens of the church and the whole world. They’re true prayer warriors, someone you’d sure want praying for you if you were seriously ill, but not much fun in the 3 legged race at the parish picnic.
This stereotype of intercessors often persists, but it ought not to be the case, because we all are called to intercession. It should not be left to a small group of “the more spiritual ones”. So what should a true intercessor look like? What are the characteristics of a prayer warrior?
- an intercessor has a living relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Praying for others does require an intimacy that permits us to come into the Lord’s presence without fear or shame. The writer of Hebrews makes this vividly clear; “Therefore, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus . . . .let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith”. Heb 10: 19-22 NIV
- an intercessor shares Jesus’ heart of compassion for those that are wounded, abused, sick, addicted, desperate, and hopeless. In the synagogue in Nazareth, Jesus bared his heart for people; “The Lord’s Spirit has come to me, because he has chosen me to tell the good news to the poor. The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners, to give sight to the blind, to free everyone who suffers, and to say, ‘This is the year the Lord has chosen.’” Luke 4: 18-19 CEV
- an intercessor believes that, although God is sovereign and can do whatever He pleases, He has granted us the great privilege of participating with Him in His redemption process through prayer. James says, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and wonderful results. Elijah was human as we are, and yet when he prayer earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for the next three and a half years! Then he prayer for rain and down it poured. The grass turned green, and the crops began to grow again.” James 5: 16b-18 NLT
A “prayer warrior” can be a small child whose uncomplicated faith is expressed in prayer for a sick grandparent or classmate. A prayer warrior can be a receptionist in a doctor’s office who discreetly prays for each of the patients as they await their turn. A prayer warrior can be a high school student who gathers “at the flagpole” with other Christian kids to pray for their school. A prayer warrior can be a business commuter who prays God’s blessing on fellow passengers on the train.
Get the idea? Intercession is about heart attitude, not level of spiritual maturity or prayer experience. Every day we are all in places where can intercede: the checkout at the grocery store, the traffic jam on the 401, having a coffee at Tim Horton’s. It’s not just about Sunday morning, or even Praying Together events.
If this is a fresh thought to you, why not consciously look this week for opportunities to be an intercessor. Even if you’ve known this for years, you’re probably like me, and get distracted and self-absorbed. Let’s dust off the “helmet of salvation” and “the sword of the Spirit” and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in prayer as we walk through our daily lives. Yes, even I can be a “prayer warrior” and thrill in the privilege of participating with God in his salvation of humanity!
Almighty God, who has given us the wonderful gift of prayer to communion with You and to bring to Your throne the needs of others, teach us how to fulfill the command of the Apostle Paul that we should pray without ceasing so that Your kingdom may be fully established and Your will done here on earth as it is in heaven, through Christ Jesus Our Lord. Amen.
