Spiritual gifts
The Gift of Intercession
Carrying people to God in prayer
Intercession is praying for other people with persistence, compassion, and trust in God's wisdom. It isn't named as a spiritual gift, and every Christian is called to pray for others. Many believers sense a particular calling to it.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, so that you may stand mature and fully assured in the full will of God.”
What it is
Most churches have a few people whose prayer lists run for pages, and they actually pray through them. When they say they'll pray for you, they do, and they may ask about it months later.
Paul urges the church to offer "petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving" for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1), so Bearing Fruit describes intercession as a calling some believers feel strongly. Our prayers also rest on better intercession than our own. Christ "always lives to intercede" for His people (Hebrews 7:25), and the Spirit "intercedes for us with groans too deep for words" (Romans 8:26).
Where Scripture shows it
Anna, an elderly widow, "worshiped night and day, fasting and praying" (Luke 2:37). Jesus told Peter, "I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail" (Luke 22:32).
Moses pleaded for Israel after the golden calf (Exodus 32:11-14). Samuel told the people, "far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23).
What it can look like
- You keep a written list of people you're praying for and note how God answers.
- An hour-long prayer meeting doesn't feel long to you.
- News of a crisis, near or far, sends you to prayer first.
- You pray for people who will never know you did.
What to watch for
- Sharing prayer requests in ways that turn into gossip.
- Thinking long prayers are more spiritual. Jesus said pagans "think that by their many words they will be heard" (Matthew 6:7).
- Treating prayer as a way to control outcomes. We ask "according to His will" (1 John 5:14).
- Praying about a need you could also help meet (James 2:15-16).
Ways to serve with it
- Join your church's prayer team or prayer chain.
- Pray through your church directory a few names at a time.
- Ask missionaries your church supports for specific requests, and pray for them weekly.
- When you tell someone you'll pray for them, offer to pray with them right then.
Related gifts
Holy habits that fit this gift
These practices can help you steward this gift over time.
Frequently asked questions
Is intercession a spiritual gift?
The lists of gifts in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4 don't name it, and Paul tells the whole church to keep praying "for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). Many believers still sense a particular calling to intercede.
What does it mean to intercede for someone?
To intercede is to go to God on someone else's behalf. You bring their needs to Him, ask for His help, and trust Him with the answer. Abraham did this for Sodom, asking God again and again to spare the city for the sake of the righteous (Genesis 18:23-32).
How do I know if I'm called to intercession?
Pick a short list of people and keep praying for them for a few months. Some people find the list keeps growing, and they're still praying for people long after everyone else has moved on.
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