Intercessory PrayerStanding in the Gap
Carry others into the presence of God through the powerful practice of intercessory prayer. Learn to pray for others with biblical wisdom and love.
Love Made Audible
Prayer is not just something we do for ourselves—it's a way we carry others into the presence of God. This is what Paul models for us in Colossians 1: "We have not stopped praying for you." He doesn't pray for ease or escape, but for wisdom, strength, and spiritual depth.
Divine Partnership
- Join Jesus and the Holy Spirit in their ongoing work of intercession.
Love in Action
- Intercessory prayer is what we offer when we can't solve the problem.
Scripture-Based
- Follow Paul's model from Colossians for effective intercessory prayer.
Spiritual Protection
- Stand in the gap, asking God to fill, strengthen, guide, and renew others.
How to Practice Intercessory Prayer
1. Begin in Stillness
Settle into a posture of quiet. Let your body and breath slow down. Whisper a simple breath prayer, like "Lord, have mercy," or "Christ in me, hope of glory."
2. Name Three People
Picture three people in your life who need God's grace. Maybe they're facing hardship. Maybe they're just tired. Maybe they're far from God. One by one, bring them before God in prayer:
God, would you strengthen them with your power,
Fill them with your peace,
Surround them with your love,
And guide them in your will.
3. Intercede with Scripture
Use Colossians 1:9–12 as a prayer template:
- • Ask God to fill them "with the knowledge of his will"
- • That they would "live a life worthy of the Lord"
- • That they would be "strengthened with all power"
- • That they would overflow with "joyful thanks"
This isn't about eloquence. It's about presence. Your intercession doesn't need to be long—it needs to be sincere.
4. End with Trust
After you've lifted them up, release them to God. You are not their savior. You are their sibling in Christ. Trust that God loves them even more than you do.
Biblical Foundation
Intercessory prayer is how we participate in God's care for others—by asking God to give them what we cannot. Jesus himself is called our intercessor (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), and the Spirit intercedes for us too (Romans 8:26). When we intercede, we are joining in that divine work—becoming co-laborers with Christ.
"Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."(Romans 8:34)
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans."(Romans 8:26)
"For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you."(Colossians 1:9)
Practice Prompt
- • Each morning this week, take five minutes to pray for someone else.
- • Ask the Spirit to guide you to who needs prayer that day.
- • Use the framework above, or simply say their name and trust God to meet them.
- • Don't analyze whether your prayers are "working"—simply show up faithfully.
- • Remember: intercession is where we discover that love really does move mountains.
"Intercessory prayer is love made audible. It's what we offer when we can't solve the problem or fix the pain. It's how we participate in God's care for others."
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