Prophetic Intercession
by Rod Christensen.
'If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land' 1 Chronicles 7:14.
There is a river that flows from the throne room of God. This river contains life-giving water. Through prayer we can partake of this life giving water. This is the water Jesus was referring to when He spoke to the woman at the well. This water is not only for us, but also for all who thirst for more of Him. It is through the ministry of prayer that God enables us to co-labour with Him.
One exciting aspect of prayer is to identify God's plan and purpose as we labour with the Holy Spirit to see heaven's agenda birthed in the earth realm. To participate in this high adventure the only qualification you need is a willing heart and a determination that prefers to never give up.Prophetic intercession is also the place where we can begin to access God's heart, mind and counsels. This is also the place where we will understand heaven's timing. If you sense a call to prophetic ministry one of the main tools of your trade will be prophetic intercession. When I use the term prophetic, I am referring to those who operate in the revelatory gifts. It also encompasses those that choose to stay close to the heart of the Lord and then declare those things they have heard from Him, while in the secret place.
Therefore a Prophetic Intercessor is one who stands in the gap until the Lord discloses His heart and mind about a matter or circumstance. Then what the Lord said is prayed back to Him. Now the Holy Spirit goes to work on our prayer bringing the change that was originally in the Fathers heart. Another role of prophetic intercessor is to remind the Lord of promises and appointments yet to be met.
The Differences
While most Christians will flow in intercession from time to time. Prophetic intercession tends to be the domain of those who have a calling to the prophetic ministry. Intercession identifies with the needs and burdens of the people. Whereby, prophetic intercession identifies with the burdens of the Lord. One is not greater than the other the variation is only due to a different type of grace and calling.
A prophetic intercessor is one who stands in the gap until the Lord reveals His mind about the matter being prayed for.
An intercessor identifies the burdens and struggles the people are going through and presents those to the Lord in prayer.
A prophetic intercessor receives from the Lord how to pray then releases these back to the so that the Holy Spirit can brood over the words releasing the 'creative factor of God'.
An intercessor stands in the gap and cries out to the Lord for His intervention.
Prophetic intercessors remind the Lord of His personal promises and appointments yet to be met.
An intercessor reminds the Lord of the promises already decreed in His word but yet not fulfilled.
Biblical Examples of Prophetic Intercessors
*Abraham was use to intercede on behalf of those who were about to face judgment in Sodom and Gomorrah. God demonstrated His grace, mercy and compassion through Abraham to non-covenant people groups. Genesis 18:17-33.
*Jacob had a prophetic destiny to fulfill. But first God had to challenge Jacob's nature so He could change him. As we 'wrestle and cry out' in prayer, often God will change us first so that the blessing can flow onto others. During the process, like Jacob, our natures will be changed. The generations that were still in his loins at the time continue to enjoy the benefits of Jacob's persistence in prophetic intercession. You also could be used to breakthrough in such a measure, that the generations to come, will enjoy the benefits of your persistence. Genesis 32:24-30.
To see fulfillment in what God has prophetically said, will require someone to stand in the gap and persist until the release comes. Daniel was one such person. God through the Prophet Jeremiah spoke of Israel's release. There were insurmountable obstacles standing in their way. This did not deter Daniel. He reminded God of the prophetic promises yet to be fulfilled and made a commitment to stand until the breakthrough came. There is always a warring around the fulfillment of the Lord's purposes for our lives. Daniel 9:2-3, 20-23, 10:12-14.
Developing as a Prophetic IntercessorA key to being an effective prophetic intercessor is to first determine Gods will, plan and purpose for your life. The way we get to know the heart of a person is by spending time in their company. This reality applies also in our relationship with the Lord. I would encourage you to make the following a way of life:
*Paul encouraged the Ephesians to, 'Pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit'. Feel free to have diversity in your prayer life as longs as you maintain consistency. God always blesses faithfulness; faithfulness is the demonstration of true faith.
*Pray often (daily) in your heavenly language. Praying in the spirit will build you up in your faith. Jude 20. As you pray in the spirit the revelatory realm will become more real to you.
*Spend time reading and meditating in the written word. The bible renews our minds so that we can understand how God thinks. The word is able to divide our soul and spirit. This helps us to identify what comes from our minds as opposed to what comes form the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 4:12.-
*Pray the great apostolic prayer found in Ephesians 1:17-18, often. Because, you are literally asking the Lord to grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation knowledge, in Him. If you will be consistent the Holy Spirit will reveal more of Jesus to your heart.
Important ThoughtPrayer is not an end in itself. Prayer opens up a door to our source - the Lord. The more time you spend doing these spiritual exercises the more you will experience Him. Prayer is not just about getting things. Prayer is about connecting with our only Source. Most Christians find prayer a mystery until they understand, experientially this realty. As we wrestle in prayer the most important work begins to take place - we are changed.This article is an excerpt from the 'Prayer School Training Manual' available from our web store.
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