"Do not know what to ask in our prayers, but the Spirit himself intercedes ..." (Romans 8:26).

Another form of prayer is intercession. As the word suggests, "interceding" means : acting as mediator, requiring a favor for others. By interceding, we intervene with God for the good of others. For years, William Carey interceded for the Indies, before moving there as a missionary. Intercession can be exercised in favor of what is dear to the Lord: his church. It can also be exercised towards those who persecute us. Thus the Lord interceded for those who crucified him: "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Stephen said : "Lord, do not impute to them this sin" (Acts 7:60).

Scripture contains innumerable examples of men of God who, forgetting themselves, intervened with persistence, constancy, and even boldness, ardently desiring the good of the people of God, or certain persons. Moses repeatedly fulfilled the role of intercessor. In Exodus 32, after the golden calf, he implores the Lord, saying : "Come back from the fierceness of your wrath, and repent of the evil you want to do to your people." Remember Abraham, Of Isaac, and of Israel ... whom thou hast sworn by thyself "(Exodus 32: 12-13). In the same circumstance, he intercedes for Aaron so that he may not be destroyed : "The Lord was also very angry with Aaron, whom he would destroy, and for whom I interceded." (Deuteronomy 9:20)

Later, in Numbers 14, Moses, at the hearing of the divine sentence, interceded again. Having heard the proclamation of the mercy, grace and goodness of God on Mt. Sinai, Moses intercedes by appealing to this divine mercy. In response to this intercession, the Lord uses grace and lets himself down, saying : "I have forgiven according to your word."

Hezekiah prayed to the Lord for those who ate the passover without being purified, that this neglect might be forgiven; And the LORD listened to him (2 Chronicles 30: 18-20). We could multiply the quotes by talking about David, Ezra, Daniel, Jeremiah, Paul and so many others.

Jesus, in heaven, continues this service of intercession in our favor : "He can perfectly save those who approach God by Him, being alive to intercede on their behalf." (Hebrews 7:25)

A decision for this day :

Following the example of Jesus and all those men and women of the Bible who have fulfilled this service of intercession, I want to enter this cohort of intercessors in favor of those who do not know the grace of God, but Also in favor of believers who are persecuted.

Paul Calzada