7 Characteristics of Intercessory Prayer

1. The scope of intercessory prayer is vast. (1 Tim 2:1)

  • Because God’s love is so vast (John 3:16)
  • Ordinary prayer is concerned mainly with one’s own interests
  • Ordinary prayer does not affect the kingdom of darkness but intercessory prayer will.

2. Intercessory prayer puts God’s interest first.

  • Jesus taught to seek His kingdom and it’s first. (Matt 6:33)
  • Our prayers are focused on ‘what to eat, what to drink, what to dress?’ (Matt 6:31)
  • As a father, God is concerned about our needs. We can take comfort in that.

3. Intercessory prayer pleases God! (Tim 2:3)

  • It is God’s will that all mankind to be saved. (John 3:16)
  • It is a mystery that God desires us to intercede.
  • We are saved because someone prayed for us. Intercession and salvation go hand in hand.

4. Intercessory prayer pulls down the strongholds of Satan.

  • It is a weapon against the enemy. (II Cor 10:3,4)
  • The enemy has covered the Nations with a thick sheet of darkness. (Is 60:2)
  • This sheet of darkness can be removed by united intercession.

5. In intercessory prayer, you don’t use God but allow God to use you.

  • Intercession is unselfish prayer.
  • Many Christians are satisfied by just being blessed.
  • Let God use you as a channel of blessing

6. Intercessory prayer believes that there is only one mediator between God and Man. (II Tim 2:5)

  • Christ is the only mediator
  • People of other faiths do not have a mediator
  • It is our responsibility to pray for them because we know the only mediator.

7. Intercessory prayer is the only prayer that can change the heart of God.

  • Moses changed the mind of God (Ex 32:11-14)
  • Moses showed the heart of an intercessor when he asked God to blot him out if God doesn’t forgive His people. (Ex 32:32)
  • Hezekiah and Amos have changed God’s heart through intercession. God relented.

– Thomas Samuel (from his book ‘Dynamics of Intercessory Prayer’)