In the book of Act chapter twelve, Herod Agrippa I, the reigning king of Judea at the time imprisoned apostle Peter and wanted to kill him after Easter.
Mind you, Herod had already caught and killed apostle James by the sword. But, this time, the church said… “NO WAY.”
What is the church going to do?
Can a few believers possibly do anything to stop King Herod II?
After all, King Herod was a very influential king, he was a friend of Rome and a good friend of Caligula, the Roman Emperor at the time.
The scene is like David versus Goliath, and through the eyes of flesh, there is only one obvious winner, Goliath.
But in that showdown David knew something that Goliath didn’t, David knew God, and that God through his mighty power could deliver his people.
Likewise, the church in the book of Acts knew this secret as well, they knew that whatever they asked in prayer they could get it. So they began to pray and they prayed the prayers of intercession without ceasing unto God for Peter.
“Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him“
Acts 12:5
What happened next may shock you! 😳
As they were praying, the night before he would be put to death, God sent one of his angels right into the prison where Peter was bound hands and feet and delivered him.
“And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.
8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.”
Acts 12:6-8
Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Intercessory prayers are powerful!
What a mighty deliverance that was, that even King Herod and his trained soldiers were powerless and woefully unable to stop that angel from rescuing Peter. And this was all made possible through the prayers of intercession from the saints. So what are intercessory prayers?
What is Intercession according to the Bible?
Intercession is the act of interceeding before God for someone else. Here are two examples of intercession:
Paul interceding for the saints at Ephesus
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
Ephesians 3:14-16
Jesus interceding for his disciples
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.
John 17:9-11
Who is an Intercessor according to the Scriptures?
The prayer of intercession is powerful, and it is necessary to manifest God’s agenda and purposes on the earth amidst satan’s schemes and agenda.
An intercessor therefore is a priest, a “middleman” standing between God’s purposes, Satan’s plots, and the individual (s) being prayed for.
Are you an Intercessor?
As long as you are a Saint of God you are an intercessor, and you have a responsibility before God to pray for other saints:
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints
Ephesians 6:18
You also have a responsibility before God to pray for those in darkness (the unsaved and lost):
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
Based on 1 Timothy 2:3-4, God expects you to even pray for persons who have done you wrong. For example, you need to forgive and pray for persons who persecute you, lied, backstab, gossip, and even work witchcraft against you.
You need to pray that the Lord have mercy on them and extend his salvation to them. And especially if the Lord reveals to you things about that person, you need to start praying quickly for them. See what Jesus says about praying for persons who have hurt you: 👇
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44
You can do it! You have the power to do so!
Contrary to what people may say and what satan at times gets you to think, God has given you great power on earth to advance his plans and purposes.
You have the power to bind, lose, open, shut, build, teardown, and rebuke. In other words, as a member of the church (the body of Christ), you have power and authority on earth, and God expects you to wield it.
But… can God trust you?
Can God Trust You with Secrets?
Consider this scripture (“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” – Jeremiah 33:3).
As an intercessor praying for others, it’s normal for God to show you things about people. But, can God trust you with people’s secrets?
Will you go and shout it out on a housetop?
Or would you go and pray so that the will and purposes of God may be fulfilled in the person’s life? And when the time is right, if God permits, you can reveal what he showed you.
Few believers are this mature, they cannot handle “What is inside the dirty closet” of others. But if you are to become a powerful intercessor, God must be able to trust you.
Powerful Prayer Points for 2023: Your Guide to Unlocking the Power of Prayer
11 signs God is calling you to Intercede more for others
If you are experiencing all or any of the following signs it is likely that the Holy Spirit is calling you to the ministry of intercession to pray more for others:
- A deep burden to pray for others – Romans 8:26-27
- Consistent thoughts and reminders to pray for others – 1 Thessalonians 1:2-3
- An increase in empathy and compassion towards others – 1 Peter 3:8
- Sensitivity to the plights and needs of others – Luke 4:18
- Increased and constant persecution of others against you – Matthew 5:44
- Increased hunger for God’s Word – Psalm 119-130
- Getting up often for no reason very early in the morning – Mark 1:35
- The urgency to pray for others – Colossians 4:2
- Increase in faith for the healing and breakthrough of others – James 5:15-16
- Seeing the power of God manifest during prayer for others – 1 Kings 17:17-24
- Deeply moved by the afflictions of others – Nehemiah 1
Or maybe it is something not listed above and you can not articulate it but you know, deep inside that something is pushing you to pray, especially to pray for others.
Even if you are a seasoned prayer warrior and are looking for a few quick intercessory prayer points to lift others in prayer before God there is something here for you. This post has many priceless nuggets that will help to deepen your understanding of intercessory prayers and your role as an intercessor.
That said, either way, if you are serious about doing business with God and you want to be that man or woman God is looking for to stand in the gap and build up the hedges for others, then I strongly encourage you to grab a pen and paper if possible to take notes.
But… before we go any further… let me remind you about the commitment you are making today.
You have decided to take your prayer life to the next level and never to look back.
You have decided to trust God, that once you start this journey you will not look back.
AND…
You have decided that by the spirit of grace and supplication, you will live a lifestyle of prayer.
Do you still want to do this?
Now see what God says… 👇
“Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer.” Zechariah 12:10
God wants to give you the power to speak over individuals, families, communities, countries, and territories.
In fact, he has already given you this power and now is the time for it to manifest.
“Behold, I give unto you the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19
The key to wielding this authority and power is that you must give yourself to continual prayer.
“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Luke 18:1
Especially praying in the spirit
“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” – Jude 1:20).
And most importantly, praying intercessory prayers
“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” – 1 Timothy 2:1-2).
God wants men and women whom he can partner with to advance his kingdom on earth.
God is looking for those who can carry the burdens of families and nations, who will intercede before him on their behalf until satan‘s yoke is broken over their lives.
Are you that person? Will you arise and wage war against the kingdom of darkness through prayer?
God is counting on you. And mind you, prayer is not only for preachers, but prayer is for all men (male and female). ” And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” (Luke 18:1)
Truth be told; not all men know the will of God for their lives, and while a few to some extent may know God’s will for their lives, they don’t know how to establish his will in their lives, families, communities, and country.
But an intercessor who is worth their weight of gold knows that effectual, fervent prayers can move mighty mountains and break strong chains from the kingdom of darkness.
A true intercessor knows that prayer, more than any other spiritual practice will provoke God to move faster than any other thing spiritual practice.
For example, in the book of Genesis, we read about the story of Abraham and his nephew Lot. God had revealed to Abraham that He would destroy the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their wickedness.
However, Abraham was concerned for his nephew Lot and his family who lived in Sodom.
He could have said, “Go right ahead God, my nephew Lot strove with me for lands, and he chose Sodom to pitch his tents because of the greenness of the pastures, so, let him now bear the consequences of his choice.”
But no, Abraham didn’t go down that selfish path, instead Abraham interceded for Lot, his nephew. He even went as far as pleading with God to spare the entire city (with wicked people) if just ten righteous people lived there.
Unfortunately, there weren’t even ten righteous souls living in Sodom and Gomorrah.
Nevertheless, the story in Genesis 18 shows us that Abraham was a real intercessor, and because he saw purpose in the lives of the people of that city, he was willing to stand and plead with God on their behalf.
👉 See 15 Intercessory Prayer Points for Sunday Service
I do not think that God would have destroyed the righteous with the wicked, I believe he would have given the righteous an opportunity to get out.
Nevertheless, Abraham being a man and growing in his knowledge of who God was, wanted to make sure that God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. So he kept interceeding, and more so because he knew his nephew Lot was there.
As a result, through Abraham’s intercession, God showed mercy to Lot and his family by sending angels to rescue them before destroying the city.
Intercession is an act that I call the “labor of love,” and the intercession by Abraham is a powerful example of how we can pray for others and petition God to intervene and help them.
As we come before God in prayer, let us remember the example of Abraham and the impact his intercession had.
Let us pray with faith and trust that God may hear our prayers and show mercy and grace to those we intercede for.
And finally, here are a few powerful intercessory prayer points you can use to lift others before God’s throne. These prayer points along with the corresponding scriptures reveal God’s will and purposes for his people.
Powerful Intercessory Prayer Points with Scriptures
Are you excited 😊 about prayer? These points are a good starting point to kick-start your intercessory ministry:
- Pray for the salvation of those who do not know Christ – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
- Pray for the leaders of your country – “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
- Pray for those who are sick and in need of healing – “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.” (James 5:14-15)
- Pray for the persecuted Church around the world – “Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (Hebrews 13:3)
- Pray for your enemies and those who persecute you – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
- Pray for wisdom and guidance in your daily life – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
- Pray for your family and loved ones – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
- Pray for unity in the Church – “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)
- Pray for your church leaders – “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
- Pray for strength and courage in times of trial – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
- Pray for the homeless and the hungry – “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” (Proverbs 19:17)
- Pray for the education system and the teachers – “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” What was it that Israel did not know, and why was that lack of knowledge so dangerous? The rest of verse 6 helps explain: “Because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me.” (Hosea 4:6)
- Pray for those who are struggling with addiction – “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” (Luke 4:18)
- Pray for justice for the oppressed – “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
- Pray for those who are struggling with mental illness – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
- Pray for the elderly and the vulnerable – “Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.” (Psalm 71:9)
- Pray for the orphans and widows – “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” (James 1:27)
- Pray for the protection of unborn children – “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
- Pray for the sanctity of marriage and family – “Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)
- Pray for those who are struggling financially – “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)
- Pray for the restoration of broken relationships – “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3)
- Pray for the protection of children from abuse and neglect – “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
- Pray for the protection of those who are persecuted for their faith – “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:10)
- Pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in your life – “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
- Pray for the homeless to find shelter – “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” (Proverbs 19:17)
- Pray for the lonely to find companionship – “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him..” (Genesis 2:18)
- Pray for the safety of those serving in the military – “He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Psalm 18:34)
- Pray for the protection of your community from crime and violence – “He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” (Psalm 91:4)
- Pray for the protection of the environment – “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
- Pray for wisdom and discernment in decision-making – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)
- Pray for the salvation of your family and friends – ” And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” (Joshua 24:15)
- Pray for the healing of physical ailments – “Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)
- Pray for the forgiveness of sins – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
- Pray for guidance in your career and vocation – “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” (Proverbs 16:3)
- Pray for the strengthening of your faith – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
- Pray for the unity of the Church – “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” (John 17:23)
- Pray for the restoration of hope in those who have lost it – “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5)
- Pray for the strengthening of marriages – “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
- Pray for the strengthening of friendships – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)
- Pray for the protection of those who travel – “He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:3)
- Pray for the protection of those who live in areas prone to natural disasters – “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2)
- Pray for the strengthening of your personal relationships with God – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)
- Pray for the protection of those who are traveling on the water – “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” (Psalm 107:29)
- Pray for the protection of those who work in dangerous occupations – “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)
- Pray for the protection of those who work in healthcare – “Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” (Jeremiah 17:14)
- Pray for the protection of those who are in abusive relationships – “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
- Pray for the protection and provision of the poor and needy – “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.” (Psalm 82:3-4)
Why Should You Pray for Others?
Because God said so, see it here:
- James 5:16: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
- Ephesians 6:18: “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”
- Colossians 1:9: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.”
- 1 Timothy 2:1: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.”
Think about this for a while, the Bible says that not all men have faith (…for all men have not faith). This means that not everyone knows what to do when their lives are under siege by the kingdom of darkness. Therefore, as believers, one of our assignments is that when we go before God’s throne of grace we should remember those souls satan has under his control and ask God to have mercy and intervene.
It can be considered very selfless if all we remember is our needs and that of our family when we go before God. Where is the love for others? Doesn’t it pains you to see satan plundering and slaughtering helpless souls? And what’s worse is that you can do something about it but you choose to stand on the sidelines. God forbid, this isn’t you.
That said, an intercessor is someone who loves others because the intercessory ministry is built on two principles, love being one of them.
How to Pray Effectively for Others?
Prayer is a powerful weapon in the hands of any believer. If you want to command power from on high you must know how to pray effectively.
The key is to approach God with sincerity and faith. When you pray from the depths of your heart, with genuine belief and trust in God’s power, your prayers become more impactful.
Remember that God sees the intentions of your heart, and sincere prayers can move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Don’t be selfish, pray for the person as though you are praying for yourself because what you render to others the same shall be rendered to you.
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Matthew 7:12
How to Become a Powerful Intercessor Through Prayer
Here are ten of my best tips for becoming a powerful intercessor. I use these tips to maintain a healthy, strong, and powerful prayer life.
- Pray with faith: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
- Pray in Jesus’ name: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13)
- Pray with persistence: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)
- Pray in accordance with God’s will: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14)
- Pray with humility: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” (1 Peter 5:6)
- Pray more for others than for yourself: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
- Pray at a set time: “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)
- Pray for at least one hour: “And He came unto the disciples and found them asleep, and said unto Peter, “What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?” (Matthew 26:40)
- Pray often very early in the morning: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35)
- Pray in the Spirit: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:18)
- Pray with love: “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)
- Pray with fasting: “However this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”(Matthew 17:21)
Most Frequently Asked Questions
What is intercessory prayer, and why is it important in the Christian faith?
- Intercessory prayer is when a person prays on behalf of others, lifting up their needs and concerns to God. It is important in the Christian faith as it reflects Jesus’ example of praying for others and carries the power to bring about positive change in people’s lives through the intervention of God’s grace and mercy.
How does prayer benefit the person praying and those being prayed for?
- Prayer benefits the person praying by fostering a deeper relationship with God, cultivating humility, and aligning with God’s will. Those being prayed for receive comfort, healing, protection, and blessings from God’s divine intervention and grace.
What are some tips for praying effectively?
- Tips for effective prayer include praying with sincerity, faith, and humility, aligning with God’s Word, listening for God’s guidance, persevering in prayer, and cultivating an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving.
What are some specific intercessory prayer points that Christians can pray for?
- You can pray for specific intercessory prayer points such as healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, guidance for leaders, provision for the needy, reconciliation in relationships, salvation for the lost, and protection from harm.
How can Christians apply these prayer points to their own lives and situations?
- As a Christian you can apply these prayer points to your life and situations by seeking God’s guidance through His Word, praying with faith and expectancy, being specific in your prayers, and consistently interceding for others with a compassionate heart. You must also pray in alignment with God’s will, trusting in His perfect timing and sovereign plans for your life and others.
Final Word on Intercessory Prayer Points
As you go deep into the year 2023, you have an opportunity to harness the full power of intercessory prayer to bring about the changes you need in your life and those around you. With the guidance of the Bible and the assurance of God’s promises, you can confidently approach the throne of grace with your heartfelt prayers. Share this post with someone you believe it may bless.
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