July 20, 2004

Dear Ones,

Due to the response and interest in this article on Intercession, we are sending it out to you once again – Paul wrote in Philippians 3:1 – “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.”

Have you ever had an individual’s name come to mind, someone you had not thought of for awhile? Have you ever felt your heart grieved about the state of a nation you have never seen? Or maybe you have wept without words over the realization of the sins of your country. Perhaps the Holy Spirit has been trying to get you to intercede for a person or a nation.

What is intercessory prayer? Webster’s Dictionary speaks of intercession as “the act of interceding, meditation, pleading, or prayer on behalf of another.” Intercession is prayer offered for others as directed and inspired by the Holy Spirit. An intercessor becomes a go-between, as the Word of God says, someone who will “stand before Me in the gap” (Ezekiel 22:30).

God is searching for those who will be intercessors, for those who can change life’s situations and people through their fervent, upright prayers. But why doesn’t our great God just change people and reverse the atrocities of our world solely in His own strength and power? He could, without doubt. But He has chosen man to be a co-laborer with Him, reconciling men, women, and children to Himself through us. What a tremendous privilege!

Ever since the dawn of man’s history, God has covenanted relationship with this unique, moral creation. And even now, in our corrupt world, God seeks relationship with us – an intimate fellowship cultivated through communication in a place of prayer.

Our prayers can move the hand of God and release the reconciling work of the Holy Spirit. God has designed that it would be so, perhaps for two reasons: That we might learn how very dependant we are on Him, and that He might be able to share the burdens, grief, and joy of His own heart with us.

PRICIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE INTERCESSION
By Joy Dawson

1. Praise God for who He is, and for the privilege of engaging in the same wonderful ministry as the Lord Jesus (Hebrews. 7:25). Praise God for the Privilege of cooperating with Him in the affairs of men through prayer.
2. Make sure your heart is clean before God, by having given the Holy Spirit time to convict, should there be any unconfessed sin in your heart. (Psalm 66:18; Psalm 139:23-24).
3. Acknowledge you can not really pray without the direction and energy of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26). Ask God to utterly control you by His Spirit, receive by faith that He does, and thank Him (Ephesians 5:18).
4. Deal aggressively with the enemy. Come against him in the all powerful name of the LORD Jesus Christ and with the “sword of the Spirit” – the word of God (James 4:7).
5. Die to your own imaginations, desires, and burdens for what you feel you should pray (Proverbs 3:5-6; 28:26; Isaiah 55:8).
6. Praise God now in faith for the remarkable prayer meeting that you are going to have. He’s a remarkable God and He will do something consistent with His character.
7. Wait before God in silent expectancy, listening for His direction (Psalm 62:5; Micah 7:7; Psalm 81:11-13).
8. In obedience and faith, utter what God brings to your mind, believing (John 10:27). Keep asking God for direction, expecting Him to give it to you. He will (Psalm 32:8). Make sure you do not move to the next subject until you have given God time to discharge all He wants to say regarding this burden, especially when praying in a group. Be encouraged by the lives of Moses, Daniel, Paul and Anna, knowing that God gives revelation to those who make intercession a way of life.
9. If possible, have your Bible with you should God want to give you direction or confirmation from His Word (Psalm 119:105).
10. When God ceases to bring things to your mind to pray for, finish by praising Him and thanking Him for what He has done, reminding yourself of Romans 11:36, “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”

A WARNING:
God knows the weakness of the human heart towards pride. If we speak of what God has revealed and done in intercession, it may lead to committing this sin. God shares His secrets with those who are able to keep them. There may be a time when He definitely prompts us to share, but unless this happens, we should remain silent. “And they kept their silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen” (Luke 9:36 RSV). “But Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Luke 2:19 RSV).

Taken from "An Intercessor's Guide to the Jewish World" A Year-round Prayer Guide. Used by permission. Available through Gratefully Grafted Ministries Bookstore

Fall Intercession Tour
And
INCLUDES 3 DAYS OF JERUSALEM SUCCOT CELEBRATION!!
September 26 – October 8, 2004

A Biblical Tour of the Holy Land – The most inspirational journey of a lifetime. Come and let God drop the love for Israel and His chosen people into your heart and meet the people in the Land that you have been supporting financially and in prayer. Plan now to come. Send in your $250.00 deposit now to insure you a place on the team!

The cost of this tour will be $2499.00, which includes:
Roundtrip airfare from New York – 10 Nights quality accommodations in 4 and 5 Star Hotels - Taxes - Full breakfast and dinner daily. Admission to The Jerusalem Succot Conference (led by the Messianic Community and held October 3 – 6) - We will be touring with Rony, our English-speaking licensed guide – Private, First Class A/C Coach and more! Contact our office today for more information on this upcoming tour. More information