Ezekiel 22 : 30 « I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one. 31 So I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. »
Exodus 32 : 30-32 « The
next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I
will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh,
what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of
gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the
book you have written. »
John 15 : 16 « You did not choose me, but I chose you
and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and
so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.»
The above verses make it clear that the
intercessor is the one who pleads on behalf of people before God. He is like a
spiritual lobbyist. The intercessor has
a great spiritual responsibility in his family, his community, his country, his
church, and the world, where he plays a "watchdog" role by constantly
praying for specific causes. Wherever he is, the
intercessor plays a very important rôle
1. The Body of Christ, the Church
Hebrews 7 : 25 « Therefore he is able to save completely[c] those who
come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. »
The above verse confirms that the eternal salvation of the souls of all
members of the Church depends on constant intercession with God. For the
Church, being made up of human beings, cannot maintain its perfect stature
before God to merit and preserve salvation on its own. This can only be the fruit of the grace
given to us through Jesus. Therefore, Jesus is the church's first and perfect
intercessor before God; He is already with the Father and is righteous and without
sin. The Bible, moreover, presents Jesus as the eternal priest, living forever,
with an eternal and inalienable priesthood, through which He fulfills for the
Church the same role that the ancient priests did for the people of God at the
time of the Old Covenant.
But we on earth, as intercessors, must also understand that we have a
role to play in speeding up the revival around the world by interceding for the
strengthening and protection of the shepherds already established, and for God
to raise up more men and women who will actively work for this revival. Didn't
Simeon and Anna intercede for the coming of the Messiah, even though it had
been prophesied centuries before? (Luke 2:25-38)
Ephesians 6 : 18 « 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. »
2. As a member of the local church
James 5 : 14-16 « 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. 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.»
The intercessor plays the role of a watchman within the local church by
his constant prayers to thwart attacks against the church that aim to destroy
it through scandals, disputes, spiritual discouragement, jealousy, lack of love
and charity among members, greed, etc. ... The role of the intercessor is
therefore to remain vigilant, attentive to the instructions of the Holy Spirit,
and to pray specifically for the protection and growth of the local church, for
the protection of the members on all levels (health, spiritual, financial,
social, etc.), and for the unity, sanctification and strengthening of the
shepherds who are established there.
3.
In the family
Genesis 24 : 13-15 « See, I am standing beside this spring,
and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be
that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a
drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the
one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have
shown kindness to my master.” Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out
with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah,
who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. The woman was very beautiful, a
virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her
jar and came up again.»
The intercessor is the one who stands in the gap spiritually for his
family and has their collective success at heart. He is like a shepherd for
each member, providing "spiritual cover" through his prayers for the
salvation of their souls, for their protection in the face of spiritual
battles, for their deliverance from diabolical bonds and other curses, for the
success of their projects, and for their prosperity.
4. In the community, the country and the world
Isaiah 62 : 6-7 « I have posted watchmen on your walls,
Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the Lord, give
yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and
makes her the praise of the earth.»
Jeremiah 29 :7 « Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the
city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because
if it prospers, you too will prosper. »
An intercessor cannot live in isolation and be insensitive to the
problems of his country, his community, and the world in general. As mentioned
above, the intercessor is concerned with collective success and happiness.
Therefore, he must be involved in his environment and influence it. Jesus told
us in Matthew 5:13-14 that we are the salt of the earth and the light of the
world, and that we should not be hidden. So we should be able to influence the
society in which we live, change people's hearts, improve things, make a
difference, contribute to the collective well-being spiritually through our
constant intercessory prayers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who
will guide us regarding the subjects of prayer (the problems for which we
should intercede), how we should be praying, etc. Isn't the prayer of the
righteous very effective according to the Bible?
1 Timothy 2 : 2 « for kings and
all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness. »
The intercessor who is to play the role of a watchful man wherever he
is, must necessarily have the burden of souls, a heart without jealousy and
resentment...a heart pleasing to God.