Intercessory Prayer is “The action of intervening/ praying on behalf of another.”
What is Intercession for Nations?
Eze 22:30 – So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found no one.
Do we hear God saying – The peoples of world prays for all their needs and I answer them. Is there no one to pray for my interests?
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. – Psalms 2:8
We often limit the scope of our prayers by our needs and vision. God’s vision is salvation of all people as described in John 3:16. We have a need to re-align our prayers with the vision of God!
God is concerned for the nations. Are our prayers in line with God’s vision?
Why intercede for the nations?
- We are the Ambassadors for Christ – 2 Cor 5:20. We represent God’s interests.
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Salvation of all people is God’s plan, God’s will, God’s heart, God’s dream
- John 3:16 – God so loved the world…God is concerned about the masses that are perishing. About entire nations that have rejected God
- Satan is a deceiver of nations – Rev 20:3, 7. The bible says in Isaiah 25: 7 – that he cast a shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations.
- The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God – 2 Cor 4:4
- It is the responsibility of the church to counter the deceiver through intercessory prayer.
- My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations – Isaiah 56:7
- 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. – 2 Chr 7:14
- Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men – I Tim 2:1
- Intercession is a precursor to evangelism
- Go through, Go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; Build up, Build up the highway! Take out the stones, Lift up a banner for the peoples! – Isaiah 62:10
Examples from the bible:
- Jesus interceded for the nation of Israel from the cross. And He lives to make intercession for us. – Rom 8:34
- Moses stood in the gap and prayed for mercy on the nation of Israel – Exodus 2:7-14
- Paul was so burdened for the nation of Israel that he was willing to be cut off from God for the sake of his people – Rom 9:3
-Suresh Veeravalli