ICS Daily Devotions
The Right Postures in Intercession
Ezekiel 22:29-30 (NKJV) The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.
When we intercede, we should use Scriptures to stand on God’s promises and trust that He will act when we begin to stand in the gap for that situation. Although it will be a process, we should press in with constant prayer and intercession for the person, family, church, pastor, city and country.
Prayer is not a formula, especially when it comes to intercession, but rather a relationship and partnership with the Holy Spirit, who is the senior partner whom God has graciously brought alongside us in the journey of intercession. Because intercession may not happen at the most convenient time, we need to make ourselves readily available whenever the need arises.
There are intercessory prayers uttered for known and unknown cases. With unknown cases, the Holy Spirit will put a burden on our hearts to pray in the absence of any information. For example, someone in our family might be going through a difficult time or danger. God could also impress upon our hearts to stand in the gap just because He needs someone to pray, even though we may not know the person or about the situation. In such instances, we should respond by praying in tongues and asking God for revelation regarding what and who we are praying for. God may or may not choose to reveal to us a word of knowledge over that situation. Meanwhile, the known cases are intentional sessions where we enter the throne of God to stand in the gap.
One of the most important postures to be used by God is humility. God cannot use us if we are proud, because pride may prevent us from hearing clearly or cause us to have a downfall when we think that we are more spiritual than others if we have heard from God or perceived in the spirit through a word of knowledge. The prayer of intercession must also be done out of love and compassion, because love for the person and for God helps us to yield to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit working through our love will flow out of our inner being to intercede for the person—He may even reveal certain things to us pertaining to the situation or the person if we are sensitive to Him. In fact, the more we are exposed to the omniscient God by praying and staying in His presence, the humbler we should become. We will be a good and honourable vessel when we pray and act in humility.
Sermon Series: I Have You Covered
