Article
Why intercession matters
6 min read
Standing in the gap
Intercession is more than positive thoughts. It is taking a place before God on behalf of someone else. Scripture speaks of standing in the gap — remaining present in prayer when a person cannot or will not pray for themselves.
“I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.”
Prayer that works
The Bible does not treat prayer as a placebo. The prayers of the righteous are effectual. That does not make you the savior. It makes you a participant in the work God chooses to do through asking.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Keep asking
Jesus told stories of persistent asking so that we would not lose heart. A delayed answer is not always a closed door. Some of the people you love will be prayed over for years. That is not failure. That is faithfulness.
Just one more
Just one more prayer. Just one more name. The power to save does not come from the volume of your words. It belongs to the Spirit of God. Your part is to keep showing up — with names, with Scripture, with hope. His part is the new heart.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.”