Intercession

Not praying for one another is a sin. We ought to love one another and pray for all.

1 Samuel 12:23

23 Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.

When we pray for one another we release grace over our lives to access the spirit realm.

Colossians 2:5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

Apostle Paul goes beyond speaking of the "essence" of him being with the body of Christ in spirit he rather gives them the idea of his literal spiritual location.

1 Corinthians 5:1-5

5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.

2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.

3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,

4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

We see a shift in spiritual location to the extent that the prophet knows all that has happened. Every detail was given to his spirit to know that he may discern the situation in its entirety. Although the servant tried to hide his lie the prophet's spirit knew the truth. We obtain this high level through beginning a life of intercession.

2 Kings 5:26 Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you? Is it time to receive money and to receive clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male and female servants?

Elisha was a person who stood in the gap for Israel and therefore God used his inner spirit to see information and specific detail to hold nations accountable for their actions. In this scripture, we behold a power so great that only God can receive glory. Elisha's spirit was made powerful by God and has given him the divine ability to see deep into difficult circumstances such as avoiding war for an entire nation. It's time for us to pray for one another so we too can move in this dimension.

2 Kings 6:11-12

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”

12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

It was constant intercession that brought freedom to Apostle Peter. We too are called to intercede!

Acts 12:5-11

5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.” 9 So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him.

11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

When Jesus was still on the earth he also took the time to move into the spirit of intercession.

John 17:15

15 I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

When Jesus ascends to heaven he wasted no time getting into his favorite thing to do. Intercession.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:34‬ ‭

34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

The Holy Spirit is also in the ministry of intercession because he wants to help us where we aren't so strong.

Romans 8:26-27

26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God."

Intercession-What should I pray for?

1. Pray for the salvation of Israel and others

Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.

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2.Pray for God's will to be done

Matthew 6:10

10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Colossians 1:9

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

3. Pray for others to be forgiven

‭‭Matthew‬ 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Psalms 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

4. Pray for others to be delivered from temptation

Matthew 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

5. Pray for those who are jealous of you

Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."

6. Pray for the persecuted church

Acts 12:5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.

7. Pray for those who are in trouble

Psalm 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all

8. Pray for world leaders

1 Timothy 2: 1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.

Fasting

1. We are called to fast it is not an option

2. Fasting changes your situation

3. Fasting opens your heart to Gods response

* God may respond in various ways

There is a certain level of darkness against one's life that will not be ousted without prayer and fasting.

Matthew 9:29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer] and fasting.”

Fasting adds a greater level of power to our prayer life which brings us from the weakness of the flesh into the strength of our spirit.

Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Fasting gives you direct access to the voice of God in your spirit. Certainly, as we fast according to the will of God we will receive a divine answer in due season

Isaiah 58:9 Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ “If you take away the yoke from your midst, The pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,

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Saul didn't yet know the Lord personally and therefore Christ had no intentions of speaking with him any further. Jesus went as far as to rebuke Saul as he was on his path of murder that he went blind. When Saul asked a question; God made it clear to him in verse 6 that further instructions will be given to him later. It's likely Jesus wasn't interested in any more conversation until there was repentance.

Acts 9

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Since Paul fasted we know God had to respond. We saw a fast like this in (Esther 4:16) When the Jewish nation faced extermination and God answered by Saving his people out of the hand of the enemy. Fasting and prayer will change your situation for the better.

7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

GOD RESPONDED TO PAUL'S FASTING AND PRAYER BY SENDING ANANIAS TO SURE UP HIS HEART AND OPEN HIS EYES.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”

And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”

11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”