INTERCESSORY PRAYER
Advocacy to the Highest Authority

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the cosmic powers over this present darkness,
against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armour of God . . .
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints”
(from Ephesians 6:12–18 ESV).

A spiritual battle involving spiritual forces necessitates the use of spiritual weapons. And though the weapons of Ephesians 6 – truth, righteousness, preparedness to witness, faith, assurance of salvation, the word of God, and prayer – might not seem like weapons of war, they “have divine power to demolish strongholds” (from 2 Corinthians 10:3–4 ESV).

Far from being a benign religious duty, a traditional formality, or an inappropriate interruption, true intercessory prayer is:

  • advocacy to the highest authority,

  • serious business in the courts of the Lord,

  • spiritual warfare, and,

  • radical faith in action.

We Are Called to Pray for the Persecuted

“Let brotherly love continue . . . Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body” (Hebrews 13:1, 3 ESV).

Suffering, anxious, persecuted believers are exceedingly vulnerable to spiritual attack. “Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8). And who better to stalk than a grief-stricken, confused, utterly exhausted, wounded believer? When we intercede, we interpose ourselves between the devil and his prey.

Forget the glorified images of great heroes of the faith; persecuted believers need all the prayer support they can get.

We are Called to Pray for the Persecutors

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I [Jesus] say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.’” (Matt 5:43–45a. See also, Luke 6:27–28, Romans 12:14).

We need to pray that persecutors will be restrained, that they will come under conviction of sin, and that the God of all grace will open their hearts to receive the gospel. “They will do such things [hate, reject and kill you (John 15:18f)] because they have not known the Father or me” (Jesus, John 16:3 NIV).

We also need to pray that the Holy Spirit will enable the persecuted to love, forgive and pray for those who persecute them. This is really important, for grace is not only a powerful witness, it is also a powerful healer. 

We are Called to Pray for World Leaders

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1–4 ESV).