There is an intrinsic link between intercession and the Christian faith. After all, Jesus Christ is the ultimate intercessor who bridges humanity’s fallen state with God’s holiness. God invites every believer to lean into this pivotal role of intercessor through prayer. When we do so, we reflect Christ’s love, faith, and obedience and resonate with God’s heart.
We can learn much by gazing through the lens of Moses’ intercession for the Israelites. His example illustrates the potency of heartfelt prayer and its transformative impact. It also emphasizes the necessity for believers to cultivate an intimate relationship with God through prayer and the study of His Word, mirroring Moses’ vibrant communion with God. This personal relationship with God is not just a religious duty but a source of connection and value. Through this relationship, we can truly understand and fulfill our role as intercessors.
In Exodus 32:11-14 we discover the account of the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egypt. In this passage, Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they have sinned by creating and worshiping a golden calf. The Israelites, led by Aaron, crafted a golden calf to worship, breaking the covenant with God and indulging in idolatry. This act angered God, and He expressed His intention to destroy the people and start afresh with Moses. However, Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites, appealing to God’s mercy and reminding Him of His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses’ plea for God to relent from His anger and spare the people is not just a historical event but a testament to the transformative power of intercession. It’s a powerful example of a leader standing in the gap for his people, seeking reconciliation and forgiveness from God. This story showcases the importance of intercessory prayer and God’s responsiveness to heartfelt pleas for mercy and grace. As believers, we are called and provided the opportunity to compassionately intercede for others before God, desiring our Lord’s best. This should fill us with a sense of empowerment and hope, knowing that our prayers can bring about transformation and blessings.
We see the invitation and power of intercessory prayer expressed in the New Testament through passages such as James 5:16 and 1 Timothy 2:1-2. These verses underscore the power of fervent prayer and the broader scope of intercession beyond personal needs. I have found this true in my own life as I daily seek God’s guidance and protection for my family.
I have seen answers to prayer; when I have not, I still know He is at work since He is always at work. Prayer always makes a difference, especially in me as I pray.
I encourage us to embrace our role as intercessors, aligning with God’s will and impacting lives with transformative power. As we deepen our relationship with God, we will strengthen our ability to intercede effectively and bring about mercy, reconciliation, and blessings in the lives of others.
I am challenged by the suggestion from Hudson Taylor, English missionary to China and founder of the China Inland Mission, that “The prayer power has never been tried to its full capacity. If we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, let us answer God’s standing challenge, ‘Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not!’” This should cause us to reflect on our relationship with Christ and take the next step in our faith journey. May we respond with a resounding yes to God’s call to intercessory prayer with faith and loving obedience. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!