THE POWER OF INTERCESSORY PRAYER

An intercessory prayer by Moses on behalf of Israel prevented them from being erased from the pages of history. God’s merciful forbearance toward sinful man is closely linked with consistent intercession. Therefore, intercessory prayer is extremely important in the life of every Christian. While Moses’ total work for Israel was multifaceted, his role as an intercessor was outstanding. Moses takes his place with Samuel as one of two great men of intercessory prayer in the Old Testament mentioned in Jeremiah 15:1: “Even though Moses and Samuel were to stand before Me, My heart would not be with this people.

“Intercession” is “the act of interceding, such as in a prayer, petition, or entreaty in favor of another.” Therefore, an intercessory prayer is a prayer to God on the behalf of others. Intercessory prayer is the Christian’s highest privilege. Samuel said, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you” (1 Samuel 12:23). God’s Word commands us to pray one for another (James 5:16). Moses’ prayer on behalf of Israel perfectly illustrates what an intercessory prayer should be. It proves that “the effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much” (James 5:16).

The greatness of Moses is manifested by his self-sacrifice. He set aside the most glorious offer ever made to man: “I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they” (9:14). Moses was confronted with an opportunity to choose between his own glory and honor and the wellbeing of the people whom God had put under his care. He could have easily justified his own conscience with these two thoughts. First, God had said, “Let Me alone, that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven” (9:14a). Second, he could have walked away reflecting that they had always been rebellious against the Lord from the first and were getting exactly what they deserved (9:24). He would have been freed from their burdens and could have started his life again in complete harmony with God’s promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (9:27). Instead of looking after his own interests, he gave an humble, yet decisive response (9:25, 26).

Moses’ unselfish attitude is evident. He did not desire greatness at their expense. His prayer was, in essence, refusing an offer of greatness which would have been accepted by most men. Two other facts point to his altruistic attitude. First, he abstained from food: “I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin” (9:18). Second, from Moses’ account in Exodus 32:32, his willingness to sacrifice life itself for their sake can also be observed: “If Thou wilt, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written.” If Moses prevailed, how much more so does Jesus who “always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25)? Christians have the responsibility of praying for others.

Word Affirmation: “ And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee." - Deuteronomy 7:15 (Don't just say it, mean it!)

“ When we pray for one another, we walk in Jesus’ steps and follow His example. "

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