Purpose of God in Prayer Requests and Intercession
The purpose of God in prayer requests and intercession is rooted in biblical teachings and understood through various Christian traditions. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:3, God's purpose for believers is that they "may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh" [1]. This sanctification is a key aspect of God's purpose, as reiterated in 1 Thessalonians 4:7, where it is stated that "it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy" [2].
In prayer, believers seek to align their will with God's purpose. The act of prayer is described as "converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him" [4]. This understanding highlights the relational aspect of prayer, where believers communicate with God, seeking His will and guidance.
Intercession, a form of prayer, involves praying on behalf of others. Christ's intercession is a significant biblical theme, where He is described as making "continual intercession for us" in heaven, based on His sacrifice [3]. This intercessory role of Christ underscores God's purpose of redemption and salvation.
The Lord's Prayer, taught by Jesus, serves as a model for prayer, embodying "every possible desire of a praying heart" in a simple and condensed form [5]. It reflects the desire for God's name to be hallowed, His kingdom to come, and His will to be done, aligning with God's purpose.
In Christian tradition, prayer is seen as a means to seek God's face, His strength, and His righteousness [6]. It is also a way to seek relief from distress and to ask for God's mercy and hearing [8]. The manifold wisdom of God is made known through the church, indicating that prayer and intercession are part of God's broader purpose to reveal His wisdom to the heavenly realms [7].
Different Christian traditions interpret the efficacy and nature of prayer in various ways, but all emphasize aligning with God's will. According to Calvin, the essence of prayer lies in seeking God's glory and aligning one's requests with His will, as seen in his commentary on Philippians, Colossians, and 1-2 Thessalonians [9].
The purpose of God in prayer requests and intercession is thus multifaceted, involving sanctification, alignment with God's will, and the revelation of God's wisdom. Through prayer, believers participate in God's redemptive plan, seeking His guidance, mercy, and intervention in their lives and the lives of others.
The prayers of God's people are considered by Him, with desires and petitions being heard, as seen in the Psalms [11, 12]. The book of Revelation highlights the significance of the prayers of the saints, which are presented before God, symbolizing their importance in God's plan [10].
Sources
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 4:3 (BBE) — For the purpose of God for you is this: that you may be holy, and may keep yourselves from the desires of the flesh;”
- I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 4:7 (BBE) — Because it is God's purpose that our way of life may be not unclean but holy.”
- 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: 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”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seeking God — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7. Includes seeking His Name. -- Ps 83:16. His word. -- Isa 34:16. His face. -- Ps 27:8; 105:4. His strength. -- 1Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. His commandments. -- 1Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. His precepts. -- Ps 119:45,94. His kingdom. -- Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. His righteousness. -- Mt 6:33. Christ. -- Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15,16. Honour which comes from him. -- Joh 5:44. Justification by Christ. -- Ga 2:16,17. The city which God has prepared. -- Heb 11:10,16; 13:14. By prayer -- Job 8:5; Da 9:3. In his house -- De 12:5; Ps 27:4. Should be Immediate. -- H”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (BSB) — His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”
- Psalms “Answer me when I call, God of my righteousness. Give me relief from my distress. Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer. -- Psalms 4:1”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 84.1: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1 1:26 3:22 9:6 9:6 9:6 14:13 Exodus 7:11 14:13 14:31 32:32 Leviticus 19:14 Deuteronomy 7:7-8 10:17 13:3 1 Kings 19:18 Job 4:18 Psalms 7:8 35:19 37:5 55:22 55:22 69:28 73:1-12 122:6 128:2 137:6 138:8 138:8 145:18 Proverbs 3:5 5:15 8:36 10:4 Ecclesiastes 9:3 Isaiah 11:4 26:9 30:15 30:21 33:22 42:1 45:23 48:11 50:5 53:1 55:11 55:13 60:2 60:2 60:2 64:8 Jeremiah 5:8 17:9 23:29 31:33 Ezekiel 11:20 Daniel 12:2 Hosea 1:10-11 Amos 9:36 Zechariah 14:8 Malachi 4:2 Matthew 5:11 5:14 5:15 ”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 8:3: 8:3-4 The prayers of God’s people ask for God’s ultimate justice and judgment (6:10-11; see also 5:8; Ezra 9:5-6; Ps 141:2; Dan 9:21). The mixture of incense and prayers that reaches God’s presence shows that God hears their prayers (see Rev 6:9-11) and is prepared to act.”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 10:17: Lord, thou hast heard the desire of the humble,.... See Psa 10:12; for the coming of Christ's kingdom, and that the kingdoms of this world may become his; for the destruction of antichrist, and for the avenging the blood of the saints. The prayers of God's people sometimes lie in inward and secret desires of the soul, and are not expressed in words; and these desires are all before the Lord, and are well known unto him; yea, such prayers of the heart, and which come from it, are principally regarded by him; they being his own preparation, as is suggested in the next ”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 109:20: But do thou for me, O God the Lord, for thy name's sake,.... The sense of the petition is, and which is a prayer of Christ as man, that the Lord God would take his part, be on his side, be present with him, work with him, help and assist him, and that for his own honour and glory, for his truth and faithfulness sake, who had promised him help and assistance, Psa 89:21. Because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me; or "thy kindness" (g); meaning the lovingkindness of God to Christ, which he always bore to him, and was eminently and superlatively good; which he makes ”