The Power of Intercession

By Andrea Mason

Who Will Stand in the Gap?

Intercession is a powerful spiritual act with biblical precedent.

In his book, Prayer Shield, Peter Wagner defines intercession as coming to God on behalf of another.

“Intercession” is derived from the Latin “inter” meaning “between” and “cedere” meaning “to go.” Intercession then, is literally to go between or - to use a biblical expression - to “stand in the gap.” (Prayer Shield, p 23)

We see this in the Bible in an encounter between the Lord and the prophet Ezekiel.  

God told Ezekiel to go and tell Israel that He was about to pour out his fury upon them, because He had searched for a person among them who was willing to rebuild Israel, restore its righteousness, and stand before Him on their behalf.

But due to their rampant sin, He could not find even one person.  

The Lord says, “I searched for a man among them who would repair the wall and stand in the gap before me on behalf of the land so that I might not destroy it, but I found no one” (Ezekiel 22:30).

Here we see that the Lord is looking for an intercessor, someone who could “stand in the gap before Him” on behalf of the people group to whom he or she belongs.

Wagner also defines intercession as the act of pleading by one who, in God’s sight, has a right to do so in order to obtain mercy for another in need.

God was searching among the Israelites for an intercessor for them, and this demonstrates how a person who belongs to a group that needs intercession has a right to intercede, or plead for them. (Prayer Shield, p 23)

In her book, Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, Cindy Jacobs describes an intercessor as one with whom God shares His secrets to cover in prayer. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 40)

She emphasizes that intercession is the responsibility of every Christian, and true intercession is twofold; one part of it is asking God for divine intervention, and the other is destroying the works of Satan.

Destroying the Works of the Enemy

Jacobs also references the example of intercession found in Ezekiel, but points out the aspect of this verse that involves coming before God with a specific, divinely inspired request.

The other aspect, found in “stand in the gap before me,” has the connotation of actually destroying Satan’s spiritual strategies.

Jacobs speaks about intercession in militant language, and emphasizes that rather than adopting a defensive position against the enemy’s schemes, the church needs to adopt an offensive strategy and push back against Satan’s schemes via intercession. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 61)

Jacobs highlights what Paul says to believers in Ephesians 6:11-12 as proof of the nature of the spiritual warfare we are meant to engage in.

Paul tells us to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

She explains that the word wiles in the Greek, as it is used in this passage, means “methodology.”

In military terms we could say that the enemy’s battle plan is to rule the earth.

Paul goes on to say, “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

Jacobs says that the Greek form of wrestling was sometimes to the death.

She explains that our warfare is hand to hand combat in close quarters with an enemy who wants to destroy us. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 61-62)

In regards to the power of intercession, Wagner quotes John Wesley: “God will do nothing on earth except in answer to believing prayer.”

He also quotes Dutch Sheets, “Does the fact that He is sovereign mean He operates independently of us humans, always accomplishing His will, regardless of our actions? No! As incredible as it sounds, a sovereign God made a sovereign choice to limit Himself in many ways and situations to the actions, decisions, and requests of human beings.”

Through intercession, we actually partner with God to accomplish His will in the earth, making intercession itself not only powerful but necessary for the advancement of His Kingdom here on earth. (Prayer Shield, p 26-30)

The Importance of Personal Intercessors

Peter Wagner speaks at length about the importance of ministers receiving personal intercession, and how it improved both his life and ministry.

He emphasizes that personal intercession is biblical. In the Old Testament, Moses interceded for Joshua by keeping his arms lifted while Joshua fought and won the battle of Rephidim.

In the New Testament, Paul asks for intercession for himself and his ministry at least five times.

During the days of the early church, Herod decided to kill James and Peter; he was able to kill James, but not Peter.

The reason we are given is that “constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). (Prayer Shield, p 26-30)

Wagner says that the most underutilized source of power in our churches today is intercession for Christian leaders, as committed, faithful intercession brings increased spiritual power to ministries and leaders.

Some of the most impactful evangelists and Christian leaders of our time - such as Billy Graham, Frank Mangs, Boniface, and Charles Finney - had devoted personal prayer partners who were backing and empowering their ministry with consistent prayer.

Wagner lists five reasons for the underutilization of personal intercession: ignorance, rugged individualism, fear, spiritual arrogance, and misguided humility. (Prayer Shield, p 98 - 112)

Jacobs adds that since personal prayer partners began praying for her ministry, Generals International, the ministry itself has exploded in growth, and she attributes it to the fact that her intercessors pray that God will anoint them as they speak and give them wisdom in ministry.

When it comes to personal intercession, Wagner and Jacobs both highly suggest that leaders build an intercessory team.

Corporate Intercession

Corporate intercession, on the other hand, is defined by Jacobs as praying in large numbers.

It gives added force to intercession, which brings great moves of God.

Characteristics of corporate intercession are groups of people humbling themselves deeply before God, repenting for individual and corporate sin, asking God to heal nations and cities, and engaging in spiritual warfare against the principalities over their geographic regions.

Jacobs says that in order for corporate intercession to be facilitated effectively, there must be structure, order and a designated prayer leader. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 185-186)

She gives basic guidelines for times of corporate intercession, the first of which is to always follow the leader.

If a conviction prevents you from doing so, do not lead yourself but instead pray for the leader and bind the enemy from sowing confusion.

Pray with the flow of the Holy Spirit in the meeting; move with what He is doing and not against Him.

Do not break prayer for a deliverance session, as manifestations could actually be a diversion from Satan.

Instead, designate people and places beforehand for deliverance ministry should a need arise.

Pray in a positive fashion, avoid engaging in gossip, and bring any problems directly to the leader.

Do not spend time prophesying over one another; save personal words for later and run corporate words past leaders for approval.

Refrain from monopolizing the time with lengthy prayers, and always be sensitive to the presence of different denominations.

Prefer the needs of others above your own, and guard your heart by checking your motives continually while praying. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 193-195)

When the Lord first put the ministry of intercession on her heart, Jacobs describes a time of corporate intercession that helped birth her prayer ministry, Generals International.

Many different leaders from different backgrounds and ministries were in the room.

Some had questioned if the differences between them were too vast, yet they all felt a sense of destiny and purpose.

During a time of introduction, a gentleman named Bob Henning said, “God has called us together for a higher purpose than our differences in doctrine; there is something higher than doctrinal unity for this meeting. We need to rally around the cross of Jesus Christ. All of us can agree that our nation needs prayer, and Jesus needs to be Lord over America.”

Jacobs says it felt like God had spoken in their midst, and the walls of tension melted away as God’s presence filled the room.

From there, the meeting easily took shape.

They had a time of focused prayer, and then a time where God used each ministry to bring forth a piece of overall strategy.

The corporate anointing was beautiful, and this model continued throughout different Generals International meetings across the country and internationally. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 37)

Regional Intercession

Corporate intercession becomes regional intercession when it is used to break spiritual strongholds over particular regions.

Jacobs gives an example that occurred in 1990 in Mar del Plata, Argentina, when Generals International met with pastors and three hundred intercessors who had all gathered to fast and pray over the city.

After a time of repentance, they discerned they needed to pray against the ruling spirit over the city - witchcraft.

As they were praying, a cathedral bell started to ring at exactly 4 am.

Later that day, after the time of prayer, a pastor received a report that at exactly four o’ clock, a Macumba witch, who had joined other witches in prayer against the pastors of the city, had dropped dead.

Jacobs notes that while they were not praying for death, they discerned that God was making a clear statement against witchcraft in the city, and this example shows clearly how corporate intercession can be used to tear down a regional stronghold. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 101)

Intercessory Teams

Jacobs and Wagner both insist that intercessory teams are incredibly impactful for advancing the kingdom of God on earth.

Teams of intercessors, with their prayers, effectively cut through dark spiritual forces hindering a person or ministry team, and allow the move and anointing of God to flow in their lives more powerfully.

Peter Wagner says that his ministry displayed marked improvement in anointing and effectiveness after adding intercessory teams, to the point where people began asking him over and over about the cause of the improvement.

His constant response was, “I attribute it to the power of prayer through those who are now interceding for me.” (Prayer Shield, p 97)

Wagner describes three different categories of intercessors that a person can gather: 1-3 intercessors, 1-2 intercessors, and 1-1 intercessors.

To begin, 1-3 intercessors are the outer circle of praying people with whom a leader has a remote and/or casual relationship.

They can be physically or socially distant from the leader they pray for, and it’s possible the leader does not know this person prays for them.

They could be old friends, former students, or other such people. (Prayer Shield, p 118)

Next, 1-2 intercessors are the middle circle, with whom a leader has a personal and friendly relationship.

They are ordinarily members of a leader’s congregation, and enjoy two-way contact with the leader.

They should be able to make themselves available to be called upon for special prayer if and when a necessity arises.

Wagner says it’s essential for leaders to know who these people are, to keep them better informed than 1-3 intercessors, and to maintain a reasonably high level of intentional contact with them.

Therefore, a leader should have only as many 1-2 intercessors with whom they can reasonably sustain contact.

Wagner and his wife have eighteen 1-2 intercessors and expect that relationships with them will continue indefinitely, or until God gives one of them another assignment for a new season. (Prayer Shield, p 120)

Finally, the 1-1 intercessors are a leader’s inner circle, those people with whom they have a close, special relationship.  

This relationship can have been born out of a social relationship, or be strictly spiritual and professional if they are a person God has specially appointed for them.

Most of these intercessors have the spiritual gift of intercession, and leaders will usually have 1-3 of these prayer warriors. (Prayer Shield, p 125)

Jacobs similarly describes an inner and outer circle of intercessors.

The inner circle are a small group of people who are knitted to you by God, like Jesus’ most intimate disciples: Peter, James, and John.  

A leader’s outer circle of intercessors can resemble Jesus’s other nine disciples.

She also mentions crisis intercessors, who are prayer warriors whom God raises up during times of crisis to pray for you until a job is accomplished.

Forming an Intercessory Team

When endeavoring to form an intercessory team, Jacobs suggests using the “ask, seek, knock” method.  

Ask the Lord to set aside personal prayer partners on your behalf.

Seek them out by making a list of who you feel might pray for you regularly.  

Knock by writing a letter or personally calling those who God brings to your heart. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 156)

There are certain qualifications for prayer partners, the first of which being that they must make a commitment to pray and be committed to confidentiality, as leaders will share personal matters with them.

Intercessors must have the ability to listen for God’s direction and share in a way that is not intimidating, and also must have a call from the Lord to pray for you and your ministry.

For leaders, effective communication with prayer partners is very important, and she encourages emailing prayer partners on a regular basis in a personal and ministerial way.

She says that how a leader relates to their intercessors will depend on their type of ministry.  

Some pastors hold retreats, breakfasts, and have heart to heart talks with their intercessors.

She encourages leaders to be accessible, open and vulnerable in order to allow partners to pray for your true needs.

Relationships are key - they can intercede better if you take more time to relate.

Finally, gratitude is important.

Thanking partners and expressing appreciation for their prayers will ensure intercessors feel seen in their prayers and encourage them to keep praying. (Possessing the Gates of the Enemy, p 158-9)

Diverting Disaster through Intercession

In both of their books, Wagner and Jacobs write about the same incredible instance where intercession saved Wagner’s life.

On March 25, 1983, one of Wagner’s 1-1 intercessors was attending a concert about 10 miles from his home.

At exactly 8:30 pm, she was overwhelmed by a spirit of death and destruction so great, she could actually smell it.

The Holy Spirit informed her it had come to destroy someone she had a relationship with, and she prayed for legions of angels to intervene.

She then experienced back-breaking pain, and continued to pray in the spirit for 20 minutes until she felt a sense of total peace and release.

That same night at 8:30 pm, Peter had gone up a ten-foot ladder in his garage.

He felt something pull the ladder out from under him, and he fell onto the cement floor, directly on the back of his head and neck.

At the hospital, they remarkably found no structural damage to his head or neck, or internal injuries.

Although in some pain, Peter says he has suffered no after-effects from what was the most serious accident of his life, and acknowledges that Satan sent a spirit of death after him, but his intercessor's prayer saved his life.

The End Goal of Intercession

​Ultimately, the end goal of intercession is to destroy the works and plans of Satan, take back possession of territory that he controls, and to make God’s perfect will manifest on earth.

Jacobs explains that we are in a holy war for the souls of men and women.

We are wrestling in heavenly places against an enemy who is ruthless in his desire to steal, kill and destroy.

He is a master strategist who wants to pervert God’s design for the nations, and He has undermined the rule of the Kingdom of light by establishing his own thrones and dominions.

Intercession is a weapon that can be used to tear down these strongholds, foil his plan to pervert God’s design for nations, and for the gospel to be advanced.

Jacobs shares a simple yet powerful story of intercession in her book.

In 1990, she and six women from the Strategic Prayer Council of Aglow International went to the U.S.S.R. to meet with Soviet women, intercede on their behalf and touch their lives with personal ministry.

On one of the last days, they were handing out Russian tracts in the heart of Moscow.

They noticed that people walking by them in Red Square wouldn’t acknowledge their presence or look them in the eye.

The women quickly interceded and heard from the Lord that there was a ruling spirit over Red Square that was blinding the eyes of the people.

They prayed in agreement that Satan would not blind the minds of the people there to the light of the Gospel.

They went back out to try again, and so many people were now interested that they ran out of tracts to give away; one group even came up to them, asking them for more.

Jacobs says that when we possess the land over our cities in prayer, we gain control of their political, physical, and spiritual arenas.

She references Ephesians 3:10, “To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places.”

Conclusion

We, the church, are to make known God’s manifold wisdom to the principalities and powers ruling over our cities.

Through militant intercession, nations can be reformed.

As we pierce the darkness over our cities with prayer, God’s light and glory pours into them.

When we intercede and do battle with the kingdom of darkness, we are helping to bring more of God’s light to the people, so that they can be restored as His sons and daughters through Jesus Christ.