The Worthy Intercessor (Part 1)

Message: THE WORTHY INTERCESSOR by Apostle Dr. Emmanuel C. Innocent

Introduction: Who is an Intercessor? 

There are two scriptures where the word "intercessor" was used. The first and only one is in KJV translation, Isa. 59:16 while the other in TPT (The Passion Translation) Eze. 22:30.

Let see the one in Ez. 22:30 "I searched for someone who would repair the wall, one who fills the gap, an intercessor to cry out for mercy, but I found no one. There was no one found who would keep my justice from destroying the nation." (TPT) 

To get the true meaning of an intercessor, we have to look at the Hebrew meaning to it because English words are limited in meaning. 

Hebrew word for intercessor is "paga" which mean five things. They are:

a. TO ENCOUNTER: This means to come against an obstacle. The first sign of an intercessor is one who is a fighter. One who is not scared of battles. One who is willing and ready to fight. 

Ps. 120:7 explains the summary of the fighting spirit of an intercessor;

"I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war."

His personality is for peace. What kind of peace? Mt. 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God"

They carry the Gospel of peace - Eph. 6:15, Rom. 10:15 but when such speaks, his words are battle-ready. You don't go to the strongman's house and plunder without a resistance. 

👉The kingdom of God is righteousness, peace and joy but it will not come without a fight. All these 'instant noodles' Christianity cannot produce power, and the only thing Satan understands is the language of power. 

👉 Good grammar is good but wouldn't set the captives free. You need power, and that kind of power is gotten in the place of prayer. 

👉 warfare prayers are the foods of an intercessor. You're for peace, remember, but when you speak in the realms, your words should cause havoc in the kingdom of darkness. 

b. TO MEET: This means 'to light upon' or 'to bring light'. An intercessor is a light bringer. He is like the man who walks in a dark room, then turn on the switch, so that all could see. Without an intercessor, no matter how powerful your message is, it will fall on deaf ears. 2 Cor. 4:4.

This is the second purpose of an intercessor. He turns on the light in an individual, family, territory. 

Let see how the creation was made. 

Gen. 1:1-2 The earth was formless, empty and full of darkness yet the Holy Spirit who is the first intercessor, "brooded" on the surface of the waters. He has to turn on the atmosphere before the Word came forth. The Word would have failed if the Spirit has not first moved. The Word only confirms what the Spirit has created. 

So how does an intercessor 'light upon' a situation? It is through praying in the Spirit. The Word of God in your mouth will be as effective in Christ's mouth if the Spirit has already turn ON the "green light". Don't preach until the green light is on. Same thing Jesus told his disciples in Acts 1. Wait for the moving of the Spirit before speaking. A true intercessor knows this, and that's why their assignment is so relevant in the business of souls. You cannot be an effective soulwinner if you are not an intercessor. 

c. TO REACH THE MARK: This means one who goes for the trophy or aim at the goal of intercession. He doesn't just beat the air or pray for the sake of praying. There is a goal to reach, there's a crown to wear. If he is standing to avert judgment, he stays there until the judgment is averted. He prays until he get "note" of victory. 1 Cor. 9:26. What this also means is, that he has "importunity": he fight to finish. (Luke 11:8).

d. TO ENTREAT: This means he supplicate to God on behalf of the people. This is the lawyer side of an intercessor. He is first a soldier but he's also a lawyer. He plead for mercy on behalf of the guilty to the judge of the earth. He takes up case and plea in accordance to the Constitution- The Bible. 

This is why it is of utmost importance that an intercessor be trained in the Word. An ignorant intercessor cannot be a worthy one. You have to arm yourself with God's Word, so as to secure mercy for the people. Isa. 43:26, I Sam. 12:23.

e. TO MAKE INTERCESSION: The fifth purpose is the crux of the matter. He takes actions by dedicating time to pray for people. He doesn't just know about it, he takes responsibility. Many believers know about intercession but few are truly engaging in it. Some are equipped with the first four characteristics above yet spiritual laziness has stopped them from doing their job. Some turn a blind eye to issues that needs it. Prov. 24:11-12, Prov. 31:9.

When there is injustice in the land, rise up as an intercessor and cry out against it. 

Therefore in summary, an intercessor is a believer who in the place of prayer contend for the soul of the people from the power of darkness and stands in the gap for the people before God concerning an issue, pleading mercy and intervention. 

Examples of Intercessors in the O.T:

1. Abraham:

As a man, the first known intercessor is Abraham. Abraham knew God was about to judge Sodom and Gomorrah. He didn't turn a blind eye nor encourage God to punish them more. He stood in the gap. Nevertheless, as good as his intercession was, it didn't fully get mercy for the city. This was because He pleaded for mercy based on God's justice. Gen. 18:23.

His belief was that if there was at least ten righteous people there, God will spare the land. He assumes Lot should have influenced at least ten people, including his relations and workers, sadly, the cities corrupted them too. 

Intercession based on God's justice will not yield intending results. Rom. 3:10, 23. Standing on your righteous work for others is good but not good enough. Only Jesus' sacrifice is perfect enough to be used as basis for God's mercy. 

2. Moses:

Moses stood in the gap for the children of Israel when God severally sought to kill them. Deut. 9:14. Je didn't seek his own glory but stood for the people. Many times his intercession saved them, and at a point, he fell into error. God later named Moses as one of the greatest Intercessors before Him - Jer. 15:1.

3. Samuel:

Another good example is prophet Samuel. He was not only a judge or a prophet, he was also an Intercessor. He stood in the gap for king Saul even when he failed divine instruction. It was as a result that God gave Saul another opportunity. The first major sin of King Saul was offering incense which was only the priests duties. 1 Sam. 13:12-14. I believe because of Samuel's intercession, God gave king Saul a second chance by sending him on a mission to destroy the Amalekites completely because his oath to Moses when their ancestors attacked Israelte in the wilderness. (Ex.17:14-16, Num. 24:20, 1Sam.15:1-30).

4. Daniel:

This is another great example of an Intercessor. He knew by books that the exile was for 70 years, and there was no deliverance on site, so he began to intercede for Israelites exiled to Babylon. Dan. 9:1-19.

He did 21 days fasting, infact, it was a fasting till God answered Him. Unfortunately, the answers came to him on the 21st day even though God sent the answer on the first day. 

5. Job:

The last person on my list is Job. At his lowest, he stood in prayer for his friends who spoke words to demean him. That's sacrificial intercession. Imagine having friends blaming you and pointing accusing fingers at you in your lowest, only to still stand in as an intercessor for them. Job 42:10-11.

Examples of N.T Intercessors:

1. Jesus Christ:

Here is our ultimate intercessor. He is the mediator of the new covenant. Heb. 9:15, 12:24.

Because of His intercession, the accuser of the brethren doesn't prevail, and that gives us confidence that our prayers will be answered. 

2. The HolySpirit:

He makes groanings with us to pray the will of God. He guides us into all truth as we pray in tongues. Rom. 8:26-27, 1 Cor. 14:14-17.

3. Apostle Paul:

Paul was a N.T believer who labour fervently in the place of prayer for souls of Gentiles be saved, and also to be established. Gal. 4:19, Eph. 3:14.

4. Epaphras:

Here is Paul's co-labourer that was called out as a great intercessor for the Gentiles. Col. 4:12-13.

~ Apostle Dr. Emmanuel C. Innocent, 

President, THERISTIS MINISTRIES INT'LL (TMI) ; GLOBAL INTERCESSORS FOR CHRIST. 

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