Therefore, I exhort, first of all, that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men. 1 Timothy 2:1
“If your knees are knocking, kneel on them” was a message scribbled on the wall of an air raid shelter in World War 2. When Paul wrote Timothy he strongly urged him to pray for others. “I urge, then, first of all,” said Paul, “that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives...” (1 Timothy 2:1-2). He uses several different words all translated “to pray.” One means a simple prayer asking God for His help. Another word denotes the idea of intensity – you pray fervently as did Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The third word, intercession, means praying for another. Years ago, I felt a burden to pray for several men every day for a year – some pastors, some businessmen, and some lay people. Looking back over that year, the pastor I prayed for went to China, and through a variety of confrontations with the needs of the world has expanded his vision from a community to the world, touching the lives of thousands of people. The businessman whom I prayed for has had expanded opportunities, speaking to much more diverse and larger groups than most pastors.
Intercessory prayer allows you to exercise your rights as priest before God, cooperating with the Holy Spirit to accomplish what He wants rather than what you want done. It means going deeper into the grace of God.
Take the challenge of intercession – praying not just for yourself and your needs but for others, too, asking God to do specific things. Keep a notebook as you pray and see what God will do because you asked.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:9-16