I. THE NEED FOR PERSEVERANCE
A. Necessity of Response
To assume that someone who has a real invitation from the Lord to be set in place as an intercessor in night and day
prayer (intercessory missionary) will automatically respond to His beckoning and remain faithful for decades is to
misunderstand His sovereignty and underestimate the weakness of the human heart. As with any invitation from the Lord
there is a cooperative dimension and we must set our hearts toward obedience.
B. The Desire for Steadfastness
1. Whether awakened to this calling in the past few days of the conference or on the wall for years, our desire is to be
unmoved in the face of boredom, persecution, misunderstanding, and tribulation.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always
with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and
supplication for all the saints— Ephesians 6:17-18
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving… Colossians 4:2
2. Longevity and steadfastness in the place of prayer (both devotional and intercessory) is one of the rarest virtues
on the earth. Yet with living understanding of certain truths we will persist in our commitment and at His return He will find
faith on the earth.
1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart…
7 And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them?
8 I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find
faith on the earth?” Luke 18:7-8
C. Sustaining Power
Of the many facets of revelation that uphold us, two of the primary things we must continually encounter are the beauty of
the Lord and the movements of His heart for the earth.
1. The Beauty of the Lord
Apart from rare exceptions, in this age we behold His beauty by faith through the ministry of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The
day will surely come when our physical eyes see Him in His splendor, but throughout this sojourn our pursuit of beauty
consists of meditating upon His nature, His character, His emotions, and His ways as revealed in Scripture.
2. The Movements of Love
As the knowledge of His glory and greatness enters our soul we are fascinated and exhilarated. Yet as we stand in the
posture of beholding we begin to learn of His desires and longings for our neighbor and our city. The fruit of intimacy is
partaking in the friendship of intercession.
II. THE ABSENCE OF AN INTERCESSOR
With the entrance of sin into the fabric of humanity, man was innately and entirely estranged from God in every respect.
Heaven and earth were torn asunder, communion shattered, and men were thrust from the ineffable light of God into dark
ignorance. This fundamental breach was painfully displayed as the sons of Adam tumbled into the depths of their depravity.
A. Purpose of Intercession
1. To intercede is to stand between two parties in opposition with the aim of resolving enmity or division. Thus,
intercession exists because of estrangement and is always unto reconciliation.
2. The issue from the moment Adam and Eve were cast out of the garden, and the question standing before every
intercessor, is how can heaven (being the locus of God’s heart and purpose) come to earth.
12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there
the angels of God were ascending and descending on it…16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said,
“Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is
this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Genesis 28:12, 16-17
B. The Arm of the Lord
Then the LORD saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man,
and wondered that there was no intercessor; therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; and His own
righteousness, it sustained Him. 17 For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation
on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Isaiah 59:15-17
Isaiah prophesied of the coming of Christ, described here as the arm of the Lord, who would fulfill God’s desire for an
intercessor. God was not foretelling of an action, but of a man who would be the vehicle for the establishment of justice in
the nations.
C. Standing in the Gap
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. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on
them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own
heads,” says the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 22:30-31
As Ezekiel was prophesying the same absence of justice prevailed in the land and the void of righteousness remained.
Persistent rebellion emphasized the inability of Adam’s descendants, so riddled with sinful propensities, to stand on behalf
of the people.
III. THE BEAUTY OF CHRIST THE INTERCESSOR
9 …having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in
Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Ephesians 1:9-10
This passage summarizes the purpose of the Godhead in the person of Christ Jesus. Though the chasm between the glory
of God and the destitution of mankind appears impassible, in and through Jesus all things will be either reconciled or
judged. As we consider the significance of the intercession of Christ it is critical to first understand that He is the Great
Intercessor in essence and identity, not merely in action and function.
A. Incarnation
Christ’s identity as Intercessor is bound up within the mystery of the Incarnation. With the disparity between the infinite
perfections of His Father and the horrific depths of human depravity and its consequences before Him, God the Son threw
Himself into the gap and took on the form of the alienated race.
14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in
the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory.
I Timothy 3:16
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we
have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life— 2 the life was manifested…
I John 1:1-3
B. Mediator
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to
come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man
Christ Jesus… I Timothy 2:3-5
The result of this mysterious union of divinity and humanity in the person of Christ is that He is intrinsically the Mediator,
or Intercessor.
1. As the fullness of divinity dwells within a sinless human life sacrificed for all, the door of true reconciliation opens
before the created order.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to
Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His
cross. Colossians 1:19-20
2. God descends toward humanity and man reaches toward God. The two movements, formerly in opposition, surge
unhindered and collide in a wondrous peace in the man Christ Jesus. And the gap, formerly vacant, is spanned at last.
3. The mediation of Christ is not limited to justification, but reaches to the cosmos. All things, whether in heaven or on
earth, are brought together. Jacob did not realize the ladder was a Man who would come from his loins, and that one day
it would not be angels but the New Jerusalem descending.
51 And He said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of
God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.” John 1:51
C. Motivation
1. Not only does the Incarnation reveal the possibility and purpose of intercessory reconciliation, the highest
expression of God’s zeal for restoration is seen in the assumption of a human frame on the part of Christ.
2. Though He was rich He became poor (II Corinthians 8:9), suffered and bled, that we might know the wealth of
relationship with God. Jesus, the eternal Word (John 1:14) and image of God (II Corinthians 4:6), discloses the ocean of
desire and love in the Divine heart through His entrance into the human story.
D. Duration
34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right
hand of God, who also makes intercession for us. Romans 8:34
25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always
lives to make intercession for them. Hebrews 7:25
The perpetual and incessant nature of the intercession of Christ springs forth not primarily from an action repeated again
and again but from His very existence. Forever Jesus will have a human body, and it is the power of His endless life
(Hebrews 7:14) as the God-man that secures our reconciliation because of our union to Him.
IV. THE INTERCESSION OF CHRIST
Having beheld the identity of Christ as intercessor, we place our gaze on His activity as intercessor. It is stunning to turn
to Scripture and find that at nearly all of the key moments in the life of Jesus He is found in supplication. He is the model,
or archetype, of living, leading, and governing through intercession.
A. The Archetype
“The prayer words of Jesus were sacred words. By them God speaks to God, and by them God is revealed and prayer
is illustrated and enforced. Here is prayer in its purest form and in its mightiest potencies. It would seem that earth and
heaven would uncover head and open ears most wide to catch the words of his praying who was truest God and truest
man, and divinest of suppliants, who prayed as never man prayed. His prayers are our inspiration and pattern to pray.”
1. Baptism
21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed,
the heaven was opened. 22 And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice
came from heaven which said, “You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased.” Luke 3:21-22
2. The Choosing of the Apostles
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in
prayer to God. 13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve
whom He also named apostles…Luke 6:12-3
3. Feeding of Five Thousand
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when
evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:23 (see John 6:15)
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the
mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening.
Luke 9:28-29
5. Throughout Public Ministry
35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary
place, where he prayed. Mark 1:35
However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be
healed by Him of their infirmities. 16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15-16
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and
tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear… Hebrews 5:7
Luke 9:18-20; Luke 10:21-22; Luke 11:1-4; John 11:41-42; John 12:28; Luke 22:31-2
6. Night of Betrayal & the Cross
44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling
down to the ground. Luke 22:44
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39 (also John 17:1-2, 24)
And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand
and the other on the left. 34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do”…46 And when
Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, “Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’” Having said this, He breathed
His last. Luke 23:33-34, 46
7. Sending of the Holy Spirit
16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—
17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you
know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17
B. The Divine Teacher of Prayer
Not only did Christ embody and demonstrate intercession, throughout His teaching ministry He emphasized the subject of
prayer to His disciples and the multitudes alike.
Matthew 5:44, 6:5-9, 21:13, 22, 24:20, 26:41; Mark 9:29, 11:25; Luke 18:1, 10-11, 21:36, 22:40, 46; John 14:13,
15:7,16, 16:23-24
V. OUR INVITATION TO PARTNER WITH CHRIST
The invitation to spend our strength and pour out our lives upon the wall of intercession is a high thing. We are being
thrust into the very heart of the Incarnate Son of God. Though we are not intercessors by nature as He is, we are by
participation through the indwelling Spirit.
18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the
ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing
their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. II Corinthians 5:18-19
A. Compassion toward Brokenness
At the center of the Incarnation, and thus intercession, is an infinite well of compassion that moved the Son of God to dwell
among us.
1. Our capacity for sustained compassion is so limited, but through our union to Christ we have access to an
unending fountain of longing for broken, depraved human beings to be restored to communion with the Godhead.
2. Oh the privilege of declaring that Christ is worthy of incessant adoration and then being swept into the current of
His own heart for humanity that drove Him to the Cross! We want to be sustained by the unction of His heart in the place
of prayer.
B. Contending for Establishment of Government
1. Jesus Establishes His Government Through Intercession
We have glanced briefly at the role of intercession recorded by the Gospels, but His earthly ministry will continue forever,
and He will both establish and administrate government through prayer.
8 “Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your
possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.’”
Psalm 2:8-9 (Isaiah 11:4; Psalm 110:2; Revelation 19:15)
12 But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God,
13 from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. Hebrews 10:12-13
2. Our Longing for His Return
Yet now He waits at His Father’s side for the dawning of the age of righteousness, and as His bride and friends we tarry
with Him and yearn for Him. We are strangers in this age, our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await His kingdom.
Clinging to this blessed hope is absolutely necessary if we are to remain faithful and ‘waste’ all of our days at His feet.
15 And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with
them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
Matthew 9:15
22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! I Corinthians 15:22
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further
clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. II Corinthians 5:4
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!”… 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming
quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:17, 20
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct
and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God…II Peter 3:11-12