APRIL NEWSLETTER

A SEASON OF INTERCESSION

Hello there! In this edition of our newsletter, we’re diving into the heart of intercession, a practice that is more than just prayer. It is about stepping in for others, advocating, and seeking God’s face on their behalf. Join us as we explore the beauty and impact of intercession in our daily lives.

The root word of “intercession” comes from a Latin word  which means “to come between” or “to intervene on behalf of others.” The prayer of intercession is a specific prayer where a person acts as a mediator between God and others. In this form of prayer, the intercessor brings the needs, concerns, and requests of others before God, seeking His intervention, mercy, and blessings on their behalf. Intercession can also be likened to a burden to pray for others. Sometimes, this burden comes as a strong urgency in our hearts to drop everything and pray. At other times, it comes as a gentle nudging to spend some time in prayer concerning an issue, a person or any other thing God drops in our hearts.

Intercession is an unselfish prayer that seeks God’s glory and the well-being of others, even if it requires personal sacrifice or effort. It often involves pleading for God’s mercy, grace, and intervention on behalf of individuals, communities, or nations.

Intercession requires a heart of compassion and empathy for those being prayed for. The intercessor shares in their burdens and desires God’s best for them. He identifies with them just as Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah identified with the Israelites as they prayed for them. (Daniel 9, Ezra 9, Nehemiah 1).

In Acts 12, when Peter was taken into Prison and Herod made huge plans to kill him, prayers were made without ceasing for him in the church. (Acts 12:5). Before this time, Herod had taken James and killed him, probably because no intercession was made for him. When the church saw how James was killed, they raised an unceasing altar of prayer for Peter and God intervened. God sent an angel to rescue Peter on the eve of the day he would have been killed. Not too long after Peter’s rescue, God also judged Herod when he became proud by sending worms to eat him alive. (Acts 12:20-23).

But the word of God grew and multiplied. Acts 12:24

This was also another effect of their prayers: the growth and multiplication of God’s word. When we intercede, our prayers cause God to intervene and deliver people from untimely death. It also sets the judgement of wicked people in motion and causes the advancement of the gospel to uncharted territories.

The old testament priests were appointed by God to stand between Him and His people. They had the duty of offering sacrifices for the sins of the people and praying for their forgiveness and blessing. The priests also represented God to the people by teaching them His laws and instructing them in His ways. These priests were a type and shadow of Jesus Christ, who is the perfect and eternal High Priest. Their priesthood positions made them intercessors; go-betweens between God and men. As believers, we are also priests. Peter calls us a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), and in Revelations, we know that Jesus has made us priests and kings unto God. (Revelations 1:6, 5:10). 

EVERY BELIEVER IS AN INTERCESSOR

As priests, every believer is called to be an intercessor, because God wants us to share His heart and His will for His people and His world. Intercession is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility and a ministry. When we intercede, we partner with God to bring His kingdom and His will on earth as it is in heaven. It is a way of expressing our love for God and for others, as well as our obedience and faithfulness to His commands, and is also a powerful weapon against the enemy, as we resist his schemes and release God’s authority and power in every situation. Intercession is not optional for believers; it is essential to advance God’s will and necessary for our growth, protection, effectiveness, and  joy. When we intercede for others, we partner with God to enforce His will in their lives.

Like Jesus, we pray for other believers and for unbelievers (those who are God’s enemies). While our intercession for believers establishes them in the faith, our prayers for unbelievers reconcile them to God.

Throughout this month, as I have been inspired by the Lord, we, as a team and as a body of Christ, will be interceding and standing in the gap for others even as we trust God to enforce His will on earth as it is in heaven.

So let’s journey together this month of April, keeping the fire of intercession burning bright, lifting each other up, standing in the gap, and watching as God moves in miraculous ways. Cheers to a season of intercession that not only changes lives but also brings us closer to the heart of God and each other.

Grace and peace is multiplied unto you.