These three biblical examples of prayer of intercession will inspire you to become an intercessor, too. Will you be sensitive to the Spirit? How will God use you? Includes intercessory prayer examples from the bible with a PDF you can print and use in study or as a handout.
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.
Abraham Lincoln
Intercessory Prayer is literally “standing in the gap.” The root word is cede – from Latin, cedere, meaning to go, yield, to surrender. The prefix, inter – is between or reciprocal, it is shared by, it is felt.
What is the difference between prayer and intercession?
Intercession is yielding, it is surrendering to God in prayer to such an extent that the Holy Spirit takes over and prays FOR us. We may be burdened in prayer and seem as if we have exhausted our word supply. But when we enter into that Spirit realm…
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Romans 8:26
The Spirit itself makes intercession for us! We know something powerful is happening, we know God is taking over, we know victory is being won; because we interceded.
There are many examples of intercessory prayers in the Bible. These people were determined to change their world and sometimes that determination changed the heart of God.
Let’s look at three of the Biblical examples of prayer of intercession.
*Download these three examples as a PDF to print and study here: 3 Biblical Intercessory Prayer Examples PDF
Intercessory Prayer Examples
Abraham’s Intercessory Prayer
In Genesis 18, Abraham was trying to save the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. He asked the Lord if they could find 50 righteous would he spare the city; how about 40? And on and on he goes until he came down to ten. And the Lord said; “I will not destroy it for ten’s sake.” Abraham’s intercession saved the lives of his nephew, Lot and his family!
The effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
Moses’s Intercessory Prayer
When Moses was on Mount Sinai, receiving the Ten Commandments from God, the people could not wait until he returned. They persuaded Aaron to build a golden calf that they could worship. Again, God was ready to destroy them; they had transgressed to be sure! Moses interceded on their behalf and asked God to spare their lives. And, of course He did.
Jesus’s Intercessory Prayer
Jesus interceded on our behalf! He prayed with such fervency that the sweat on his body fell as it were great drops of blood. He persevered, He did not give up. He knew that He was about to face a tremendous battle and before He could take His place on that cross, He had to prepare Himself in prayer. That intercession, that prayer meeting, saved the world!
How To Be An Intercessor
Today, there are hurting people all around us. Now-I-lay-me-down-to-sleep prayers are not going to change our world. But when we get alone with God, when we take the needs of people to the throne and literally stand in the gap for them, we can see revival come to our communities!
Stand in the gap for your families!
Stand in the gap for your friends!
Stand in the gap for the broken, the hurting, the sick, the homeless, the drug addict, the prostitute…for everyone!
Examples of Prayer of Intercession Today
I remember years ago who a dear saint in our church passed away. She was known to be a prayer warrior, she was a great example of an intercessor. Ruth had a glow of the Spirit that followed her wherever she went. When she died, standing at her graveside, her granddaughter who did not know the Lord, cried, almost in a panic and said over and over again, “Who is going to pray for me now? Who will stand in her place and take over the burden she had for me?”
It was one of the saddest things I had ever witnessed. She recognized who had the power, she didn’t deny her grandmother’s experience and relationship with God were real; she just didn’t want it for herself.
Who will take the place of Ruth and countless others that have been so crucial in intercessory prayer for so long? Will this generation rise up and accept that most necessary calling? Will I? Will you?
Being Sensitive To The Holy Spirit
We ARE the Church; we must BE the Church! Be prayed up so that when God sends someone to you, when a need crosses your path, you will be sensitive to the Spirit and can pray for them right then and there.
Consistent, daily, and throughout the day prayer and worship will usher us into His presence and lead us into intercessory prayer. He is faithful and will use us when we make ourselves available.
There, we will find life giving POWER to speak peace and encouragement into others around us. When we have been with Jesus, it is infectious and contagious. Spend time with Him, let His Spirit refresh you every day so that you may be a conduit that the power of the Holy Ghost works in and through to change the lives of those around you.
What other intercessory prayer examples can you think of? Share them with us in the comments.
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I stumbled on the above prayer examples and was truly blessed.
Has helped me now to lead and be more effective in intercession.
It has encouraged me also.
Thank you.
God bless.