Prayer and Intercession in the Christian Life

Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, involving the interaction of the soul with the divine through address rather than mere contemplation or meditation ^[3]. This communication can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and can range from spontaneous ejaculations to formal prayers ^[3]. The act of prayer implies a belief in God's personal nature and His willingness and ability to engage with humanity ^[3]. Scriptural descriptions of prayer include "beseeching the Lord" (Exodus 32:11), "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:15), "crying to heaven" (2 Chronicles 32:20), "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5), "drawing near to God" (Psalm 73:28), and "bowing the knees" (Ephesians 3:14) ^[3].

Intercession, a specific form of prayer, involves praying on behalf of others ^[5]. The New Testament provides examples and commands for intercessory prayer. Jesus himself set an example by interceding for his disciples (Luke 22:32; John 17:9-24) and even for those who crucified him (Luke 23:34) ^[5]. Believers are commanded to offer intercessory prayers for various groups, including kings and those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), ministers (2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19), the Church (Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 62:6-7), all saints (Ephesians 6:18), and indeed all people (1 Timothy 2:1) ^[5]. Specific instances of intercession are also noted for masters, servants, children, friends, fellow-countrymen, the sick, persecutors, and even enemies ^[5]. James 5:16 emphasizes the power of intercessory prayer, stating that "The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective" ^[8].

The concept of intercession extends beyond human prayer to the divine actions of Christ and the Holy Spirit. Christ's priestly office includes making continual intercession for believers ^[1]. While on earth, he interceded for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Hebrews 5:7), but he now exercises this function in heaven, appearing in God's presence on behalf of believers (Hebrews 9:12, 24) ^[1]. This advocacy is founded on his perfect sacrifice, through which he pleads for and secures the fulfillment of God's promises ^[1]. John Chrysostom notes that Christ's intercession demonstrates his ongoing love and care for humanity, even in his exalted state ^[11]. Adam Clarke further explains that Christ's life of intercession at God's right hand ensures a life of grace and peace for believers in the present and glory in the future ^[13].

The Holy Spirit also intercedes for believers (Romans 8:26-27; John 14:26) ^[2]. The Spirit acts as Christ's agent, working in the minds and hearts of believers, enlightening and quickening them, and thus guiding their prayers ^[2]. This divine intercession, both by Christ and the Spirit, underscores the profound support available to believers in their spiritual lives.

Prayer is to be offered to God, to Christ, and to the Holy Spirit, and it is to be offered through Christ (Ephesians 2:18; Hebrews 10:19) ^[7]. The Bible encourages prayer in times of affliction, seeking God's consideration of trouble, His presence and support, divine comfort, mitigation of difficulties, deliverance, pardon, and guidance ^[4]. The Lord's Prayer, given by Jesus, serves as a model for prayer, emphasizing simplicity and addressing God as Father, a practice Jesus frequently employed ^[9]. This prayer also highlights the desire for God's name to be kept holy and for His kingdom to come ^[9].

The effectiveness of prayer is often linked to its sincerity and the purity of heart of the one praying ^[10]. For instance, 1 Timothy 4:5 states that something is "sanctified through the word of God and intercession," implying that prayer, combined with God's word, sets things apart as holy ^{[6, 12]}. This suggests that prayer is not merely a request but a means by which believers participate in God's sanctifying work in the world.

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of Christ — Christ's priestly office consists of these two parts, (1) the offering up of himself as a sacrifice, and (2) making continual intercession for us. When on earth he made intercession for his people (Luke 23:34; John 17:20; Heb. 5:7); but now he exercises this function of his priesthood in heaven, where he is said to appear in the presence of God for us (Heb. 9:12, 24). His advocacy with the Father for his people rests on the basis of his own all-perfect sacrifice. Thus he pleads for and obtains the fulfilment of all the promises of the everlas”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Intercession of the Spirit — (Rom. 8:26, 27; John 14:26). "Christ is a royal Priest (Zech. 6:13). From the same throne, as King, he dispenses his Spirit to all the objects of his care, while as Priest he intercedes for them. The Spirit acts for him, taking only of his things. They both act with one consent, Christ as principal, the Spirit as his agent. Christ intercedes for us, without us, as our advocate in heaven, according to the provisions of the everlasting covenant. The Holy Spirit works upon our minds and hearts, enlightening and quickening, and thus determini”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold inter”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Intercessory — Christ set an example of -- Lu 22:32; 23:34; Joh 17:9-24. Commanded -- 1Ti 2:1; Jas 5:14,16. Should be offered up for Kings. -- 1Ti 2:2. All in authority. -- 1Ti 2:2. Ministers. -- 2Co 1:11; Php 1:19. The Church. -- Ps 122:6; Isa 62:6,7. All saints. -- Eph 6:18. All men. -- 1Ti 2:1. Masters. -- Ge 24:12-14. Servants. -- Lu 7:2,3. Children. -- Ge 17:18; Mt 15:22. Friends. -- Job 42:8. Fellow-countrymen. -- Ro 10:1. The sick. -- Jas 5:14. Persecutors. -- Mt 5:44. Enemies among whom we dwell. -- Jer 29:7. Those who envy us. -- Nu 12:13. Those who ”
I Timothy “I Timothy 4:5 (YLT) — for it is sanctified through the word of God and intercession.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7; Php 4:6. To be offered To God. -- Ps 5:2; Mt 4:10. To Christ. -- Lu 23:42; Ac 7:59. To the Holy Spirit. -- 2Th 3:5. Through Christ. -- Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19. God hears -- Ps 10:17; 65:2. God answers -- Ps 99:6; Isa 58:9. Is described as Bowing the knees. -- Eph 3:14. Looking up. -- Ps 5:3. Lifting up the soul. -- Ps 25:1. Lifting up the heart. -- La 3:41. Pouring out the heart. -- Ps 62:8. Pouring out the soul. -- 1Sa 1:15. Calling upon the name of the Lord. -- Ge 12:8; Ps 116:4; Ac 22:16. Crying to God. -- Ps 27:7; 34:6. Drawing”
James “Confess your offenses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective. -- James 5:16”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:9: 6:9-13 The Lord’s Prayer is similar in form to a common Jewish prayer (the qaddish). Jesus gave this prayer to his followers as a succinct expression of their new faith. 6:9 Pray like this: In contrast to the vain repetition of pagan prayers (6:7-8), “the Lord’s Prayer” is a model of simplicity. • Jews rarely addressed God as Father, but Jesus did so in every prayer but one (Mark 15:34). • may your name be kept holy: God’s name is profaned by the sin of his people (Isa 29:22-24; Jer 34:15-16; Ezek 39:7; Amos 2:7).”
2 Timothy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Timothy 2:22: 2:22 those who call on the Lord: Cp. Ps 99:6; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; 9:14, 21; 22:16; Rom 10:12-13; 1 Cor 1:2. • with pure hearts: Cp. 1 Tim 1:5.”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: condemn them? No one can, for it is no less a person than Christ who died and rose on their behalf.”—G.B.S. For, “It is Christ,” he says, “that died, yea rather, that is risen from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God, Who also maketh intercession for us.” For though seen now in His own dignity, He hath not left caring for us, but even “maketh intercession for us,” and still keepeth up the same love. For He was not contented with being put to death alone. And this is a sign for the most part of very great love, to be doing not only what falls to”
1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:5: sanctified--"hallowed"; set apart as holy for the use of believing men: separated from "the creature," which is under the bondage of vanity and corruption (Rom 8:19, &c.). Just as in the Lord's Supper, the thanksgiving prayer sanctifies the elements, separating them from their naturally alien position in relation to the spiritual world, and transferring them to their true relation to the new life. So in every use of the creature, thanksgiving prayer has the same effect, and ought always to be used (Co1 10:30-31). by the word of God and prayer--that”
John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 14:19: Because I live - As surely as I shall rise from the dead, so shall ye. My resurrection shall be the proof and pledge of yours. And because I live a life of intercession for you at the right hand of God, ye shall live a life of grace and peace here, and a life of glory hereafter.”

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