“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8. 

I remember the first time someone told me I was an intercessor.  If I was to be completely honest, I would have to admit I “liked” it.  It felt like I had been given a “title”…very fleshy I know but very true.  The intercessory prayer warriors seem to be a class of super Christians – or so I thought.  The idea that intercession is the privilege and calling of only some Christians is unscriptural and destructive which can lead to pride and self righteousness.

Now that I have upset all of the intercessors who have the title of intercessor, let’s talk about true biblical intercessors.  The definition of intercessor is one who intercedes or makes a petition on the behalf of others.  There are many examples in the Bible of intercessors, Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Daniel just to name a few.  In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is our intercessor to God.  “…It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:34.

Religion today replaces God’s calling on a person’s life with a title given by a questionnaire.   There is not a special “calling”  for intercessory prayer warriors.  As a Christian, each and everyone of us are called to be intercessors.  We are all called to pray for others.  “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.  “My people” means my people.  If God’s people, each and every one of us, will humble ourselves and pray, we too will hear from Heaven.  We can’t continue looking to the “super Christians” with a title to do what the Lord is expecting all of us to do.

No matter the title we have been given by man, slothful or super, Jesus Christ chose us long before we chose Him.  When we seek Him and His ways, the Lord will place things on our heart for us to pray for and we stop what we’re doing and pray.  God is looking for a consecrated people who will pray for His will to be done in spite of man’s will.  We are all called to intercede for others and for our nation.  Just because some do and others don’t, doesn’t mean we weren’t all called.  If you are a Christian, you are an intercessor  – may we all humble ourselves and pray.  – Donna Warren.