Role of Prayer and Intercession in Advancing God's Kingdom

Prayer is understood as direct communication with God, an intercourse of the soul with the divine, involving direct address rather than mere contemplation or meditation ^[4]. This communication can take various forms, including oral or mental, occasional or constant, and can range from ejaculatory expressions to more formal supplications ^[4]. The act of prayer presupposes a belief in God's personality, His capacity and willingness to engage with humanity, and His ability to respond to requests ^[4].

The concept of God's Kingdom is central to Christian prayer, particularly as exemplified in the Lord's Prayer ^[10]. Jesus taught his disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10) ^{[10, 15]}. This petition for the Kingdom's arrival is a prayer for God's justice, righteousness, peace, and mercy to be established ^[15]. The Kingdom of God is not merely about physical sustenance or worldly pleasures, but is characterized by "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17) ^[5]. It is a spiritual kingdom that God is establishing in a fallen world, with Jesus as its head, and its subjects are those who have submitted to His gracious rule ^[16]. The early disciples were commanded to "preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’" (Matthew 10:7) ^[6], and the book of Acts concludes with Paul "preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance" (Acts 28:31) ^[3].

Intercession, a specific form of prayer, plays a significant role in advancing this Kingdom. Intercessory prayer involves praying on behalf of others ^[9]. The Bible provides numerous examples and commands for intercession. 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) ^[9]. This practice is commanded for believers, with instructions to pray for kings and all in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2), for ministers (2 Corinthians 1:11; Philippians 1:19), for the Church (Psalm 122:6; Isaiah 62:6-7), for all saints (Ephesians 6:18), and indeed, for all people (1 Timothy 2:1) ^[9]. Specific instances include praying for friends (Job 42:8), fellow-countrymen (Romans 10:1), the sick (James 5:14), persecutors (Matthew 5:44), and even enemies (Jeremiah 29:7) ^[9].

The intercessory work of Christ is foundational to Christian understanding of prayer. Christ's priestly office includes two main aspects: offering himself as a sacrifice and continually interceding for humanity ^[1]. While on earth, he interceded for his people, and now he exercises this function in heaven, appearing in God's presence on their behalf (Hebrews 9:12, 24) ^[1]. His advocacy is based on his perfect sacrifice, through which he pleads for and secures the fulfillment of God's promises ^[1].

The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in intercession. The Spirit intercedes for believers, particularly when they do not know what to pray for, expressing their groans to God (Romans 8:26-27) ^[2]. This is understood as the Spirit acting as Christ's agent, with Christ as the principal intercessor in heaven and the Spirit working within believers to enlighten and quicken their minds and hearts ^[2].

The efficacy of prayer, while a mystery, is consistently affirmed in Scripture ^[8]. The Lord's Prayer, for instance, is presented as a model of simplicity and sincerity, contrasting with "vain repetition" ^[11]. It embodies a "whole world of spiritual requirements" in a concise form ^[10]. The instruction to "Ask, Seek, Knock" (Matthew 7:7) emphasizes persistence and earnestness in prayer, indicating that prayer is the "appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace" ^[17].

The advancement of God's Kingdom through prayer is not merely a passive hope but an active engagement. When believers pray for God's Kingdom to come, they are praying for the establishment of His will and character on earth ^[15]. This involves a transformation of individuals and societies, aligning them with divine righteousness, peace, and joy ^[5]. The act of calling on the Lord is associated with having "pure hearts" (2 Timothy 2:22) ^[12]. The peace that Christ gives is described as unbroken and not dependent on outward circumstances (2 Thessalonians 3:16) ^[14]. This peace is a characteristic of the Kingdom that prayer seeks to bring about.

The New Testament consistently highlights the importance of prayer in the life of the early Christian communities and in the mission of spreading the gospel. Paul frequently concludes his letters with prayers for the recipients, often invoking the presence of the Lord Jesus with them (e.g., Romans 15:33; Philippians 4:9; 2 Thessalonians 3:16) ^[13]. These prayers are not just expressions of good wishes but are seen as active means by which God's purposes are realized and His Kingdom extended. The expectation is that through prayer, God's power will be manifested, and His glory will be evident in all things (1 Peter 4:11) ^[7].

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”
Acts “preaching the Kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance. -- Acts 28:31”
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”
Romans “for the Kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. -- Romans 14:17”
Matthew “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ -- Matthew 10:7”
I Peter “I Peter 4:11 (BSB) — If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
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 ”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Prayer — the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples. (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:2-4) "In this prayer our Lord shows his disciples how an infinite variety of wants and requests can be compressed into a few humble petitions. It embodies every possible desire of a praying heart, a whole world of spiritual requirements; yet all in the most simple, condensed and humble form, resembling, in this respect, a pearl on which the light of heaven plays."--Lange. "This prayer contains four great general sentiments, which constitute the very soul of religion,--sentiments which”
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.”
2 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: 3:16 The final prayer echoes Jesus’ blessing in John 14:27 (cp. Num 6:26) and contrasts with the situation these believers faced in Thessalonica (2 Thes 1:4-10; 1 Thes 2:14). Paul was always conscious of the Lord Jesus’ presence with his people (Rom 15:33; Phil 4:9).”
2 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Thessalonians 3:16: Lord of peace--Jesus Christ. The same title is given to Him as to the Father, "the GOD of peace" (Rom 15:33; Rom 16:20; Co2 13:11). An appropriate title in the prayer here, where the harmony of the Christian community was liable to interruption from the "disorderly." The Greek article requires the translation, "Give you the peace" which it is "His to give." "Peace" outward and inward, here and hereafter (Rom 14:17). always--unbroken, not changing with outward circumstances. by all means--Greek, "in every way." Most of the oldest manuscript”
Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:10: 6:10 In praying for God’s Kingdom to come soon, Jesus’ disciples pray for his justice, righteousness, peace, and mercy to be established. • Outside God’s will, no person will be permitted into God’s presence (7:21; 12:50; 21:28-32). • on earth, as it is in heaven: This probably refers to all of the first three petitions, not just the third.”
Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:10: Thy kingdom come--The kingdom of God is that moral and spiritual kingdom which the God of grace is setting up in this fallen world, whose subjects consist of as many as have been brought into hearty subjection to His gracious scepter, and of which His Son Jesus is the glorious Head. In the inward reality of it, this kingdom existed ever since there were men who "walked with God" (Gen 5:24), and "waited for His salvation" (Gen 49:18); who were "continually with Him, holden by His right hand" (Psa 73:23), and who, even in the valley of the shadow of dea”
Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7:7: Our Saviour, in the foregoing chapter, had spoken of prayer as a commanded duty, by which God is honoured, and which, if done aright, shall be rewarded; here he speaks of it as the appointed means of obtaining what we need, especially grace to obey the precepts he had given, some of which are so displeasing to flesh and blood. I. Here is a precept in three words to the same purport, Ask, Seek, Knock (Mat 7:7); that is, in one word, "Pray; pray often; pray with sincerity and seriousness; pray, and pray again; make conscience of prayer, and be constant in it; make a”

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