The term "intercession" in the context of prayer can simply be explained as prayer for others. The subject of intercessory prayer is vast and much teaching is available for this art. I like the the image of interceding as "standing in the gap" for others. Many Bible teachers say that Jesus is praying for us because the word "interceding" is used (Romans 8:34). I personally believe that the term is used here to indicate more about how Christ stood in the gap between sin and God on the cross and that this "intercession" is forever available for us.
The suffering of the Christian is not in sickness and lack, but in sacrifice. Intercessory prayer is a way to sacrifice time and effort on someone else's behalf. An effective way to pray for others is to pray in a prayer language, which I believe is one of the forms of Biblical "tongues".
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
Prophetic intercession is a type of prayer that is led by the spirit of God to pray for things that we may not consciously know. Many of us have a “prayer list” that is based on needs that we know about. Although there is nothing wrong with prayer lists, either for personal prayer or corporate use, we can be limited and not as effective as we could be. Prophetic intercession is a way to find out needs that go beyond our knowledge by hearing from the Holy Spirit about what to pray for, and even how to pray.
1 Corinthians 14:15
What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
We can be Spirit led to use different and new methods as well as prophetic actions. A prophetic act can resemble a ritual or something symbolic in order to accomplish something in the spirit rheum. Prophetic acts are all over the Bible and those sensitive to the Spirit can practice hearing from God and draw closer with these acts of obedience. For more study, read about Ezekiel, Jeremiah and Hosea as well as other Biblical prophets...
One way to have a time of prophetic intercession is to begin with praise and worship which can be done many ways. A meeting where there are musical instruments, musicians can be asked to lead in a few praise and worship songs to set the atmosphere.
2 Kings 3:15
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.
Some worship groups can "flow" prophetically. This is a spirit led worship team and can play spontaneous songs as well as being able to extend worship songs into a new piece.
Psalm 149:1
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints.
Prayers can also be sung and spoken with the music in addition to speaking the prophetic over the music. In a large meeting, this can be a powerful way to create a powerful place of prayer.
(Submitted by Jason T. Ingram, Portland, OR)
The following writings came out of a worship conference in the Seattle area June, 2010. During the meetings, some of the leaders had a time of prophetic worship. It was grate to see ministers in the LGBT community that have such insight into cutting edge subjects like this:
Prophetic intercession is to do what the Word says is “calling things that be not as though it was"; It is praying what God’s Word says about the person, situation or whatever you are praying about. It is decreeing and declaring as FACT what the Holy Spirit says about the situation, or person.
(Submitted by Apostle Dale Jarrett, Washington D. C.)
In and of itself, intercession is a powerful weapon to effect change in a region, a person, place or situation. When mixed with the prophetic and with worship, it takes our prayers beyond standing in the gap, and moves it into a place of decreeing the thoughts and intentions of the Lord into what you are praying about. We use it to not only speak life and victory into our prayers, but to bring the same encouragement, edification and exhortation, that we would use in a spoken prophetic word. As we pray, the Lord opens are eyes to speak into the atmosphere and shake the heavens. We speak under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and build and stir our own faith as we agree with the heart of the Father.
(Submitted by Pastor Debbie George, Seattle, WA area)
