Is there a "gift" of intercession?

[dcampsart]

I know that believers everywhere are exhorted to offer intercessions for all men but I was wondering what you believe about whether or not their is a "gift" of intercession? Is there a special "calling" to intercession as a ministry?

1 Timothy 2:1

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Edited December 28, 2008 by dcampsart

[Guest man]

Is there a special "calling" to intercession as a ministry?

Do you think there is a need for it?

[Guest shiloh357]

I know that believers everywhere are exhorted to offer intercessions for all men but I was wondering what you believe about whether or not their is a "gift" of intercession? Is there a special "calling" to intercession as a ministry?

1 Timothy 2:1

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

There is no "gift of intercession" mentioned in the NT. However, it is very possible that God may call a person to a ministry of intercession. Intercessory prayer is really something we should be doing. And yes, there is a very big need for it.

[kat8585]

I believe there is both a gift and a need for it.

[kross]

From what I see in your question, you would like to know if there is a Biblical foundation for the gift of being a prayer warrior.

Directly estblished, no. But, indirectly there is both the exhortation to pray and the gift of mercy, the gift of knowledge, the gift of wisdom all of which have a spiritual need or push to pray in accordance with the knowledge and wisdom GOD has given.

Since i am one who believe that there are people in the church who are driven to pray, I believe that they have a ministry that is instituted by GOD and established in the HOLY SPIRIT.

Just like I am driven by compulsion to reach the lost with the word, not by my will but necessity is laid upon me, so it seems to be with those who earnestly pray for people and things that are on their heart.

[stacey c]

Intercession is not in the scriptures that list "gifts" of the Spirit. But there is a definate calling or ministry for intercessory prayer, and it can be quite a heavy calling.

I feel theres a great call in the Spirit for our prayer warriors to come forth.

[dcampsart]

Intercession is not in the scriptures that list "gifts" of the Spirit. But there is a definate calling or ministry for intercessory prayer, and it can be quite a heavy calling.

I feel theres a great call in the Spirit for our prayer warriors to come forth.

I pray you'll forgive me for a long-winded explanation for why I ask this question.

Years ago, I was attending, on a regular basis, a weekly mens' prayer meeting in our church. One morning, I walked into the sanctuary high on the Lord. I mean I was really up and in great spirits anticipating the morning prayer time. No sooner did I start to pray, I became deeply sad and started to weep, I guess, uncontrollably. Although my first thought was what could be happening to me, I was embarassed to be crying so much in the presence of other men! Stupid I know. I ran off to the bathroom to wash my face and try and get my act together. After splashing water on my face, I looked into the mirror and asked myself "What is the matter with me... am I having a nervous breakdown or something?" I cleaned up and headed for the door when, out of nowhere, I heard words in my head, "I want you to be an intercessor!" I wasn't even sure of what an intercessor was! I walked back out into the sanctuary, stood still and, as if blitzed, raised my hands into the air with my eyes closed. It scared me a little when one of the men laid his hands on me. He kept saying "Yes Lord... I thank you that you're raising my brother up!" I was really perplexed when he finally said, "And I thank you that you are raising him up as an intercessor!" I never got to speak to the man who laid hands on me. He left before I could ask him about why he came over to me in the first place. I approached the pastor after the meeting was over and told him about what had happened. He then commenced telling me what he thought an intercessor "called" by God was versus normal intercession we're all supposed to practice.

He said that, although a call to intercession is to be considered a gift, some who operate in this realm may feel it could be somewhat a curse. He went on to explain that the Lord will give burdens to the intercessor that are sometimes hard to understand. He said that one moment I may be up then, out of nowhere, I could dive to an extreme low. He said that I would feel whatever another person is feeling - even to the point of having thoughts of suicide! He also admonished me to seek his or other elders in the church advice after experiencing anything that would concern believers in the fold - in order that things might be established by two or three witnesses.

It wasn't long after, I had my first experience in this area. We were all singing to the Lord in worship when I happened to look over at a woman in the congregation. No big deal... until I went back to closing my eyes and worshiping. I suddenly had some strange vision of her where it looked like some sort of spider was burrowing a hole into her chest and then wrapped itself around the lady's heart. The small vision was over as fast as it started. I didn't go to anybody about it as the pastor requested. The whole experience bothered me for a few days. I ended up approaching the lady's husband about it one day. He told me that he had no idea why but his wife had recently started to change and turned 180 degrees from him and wanted to leave him. I don't know if they stayed together or not. They ended up leaving the church.

Another experience scared me... to tell the truth! I was at work one day when I became so depressed I couldn't stand it. I fought back tears all day. I was so sad with no understanding as to why. I couldn't wait to get off work and go to my favorite place of prayer - some woods near my house. I no sooner got there and started to reason within myself as to why I felt so sad, when it felt as if my head became very heavy. I bowed my head and started praying a little. Next thing I know, I saw a very prominent business man who attended our church. It was as if he was standing in some fog playing with a little girl as he tossed her into the air over and over again. He seemed to get a very serious look on his face as he let the little girl down. She ran off into the fog laughing. Then, a marble table appeared next to the man with a piece of paper and a pen and a sword laying on it. The man wrote some letter of resignation, signed it then picked up the sword. He hesitated for a second but then layed his hand on the table, picked up the sword and chopped off his hand. He then picked up the letter and walked into the fog where the scene changed. He walked up to some desk where it looked like a receptionist to some high-rise building was seated. He handed her the letter. She read it and asked, "Are you sure?" He shook his head yes and walked out. Lastly, he was standing out in the parking lot looking away with his bloody stump and all and some man walked up and put his hand on his shoulder. The vision was suddenly over. I felt back to normal. No sadness. No burden. In fact I couldn't get over how I could suddenly feel like everything is okay when I spent all day in such misery.

I went to my pastor and told him of the experience. He said that many of the brethen had been coming to him with words from the Lord for him but nothing as detailed as I experienced. The pastor said the man was going through some things and asked me if I would keep the experience to myself for the time being. I wish I would've obeyed but I ended up approaching the man after a bible study where he sat next to me. I kept fighting within myself the urge to tell him everything after the pastor asked me not to. In my foolishness, I was too eager to see if any of this meant anything to him to confirm what I was going through.

As he said goodbye, I let it fly! I started out telling him that I certainly didn't claim to be anyone special but that I had had this experience where it seem to involve him. He seemed eager to hear what I had to say. I started out about my seeing the resignation letter he wrote out, how he cut off his hand, etc. He smiled and seemed happy to hear what I had to say as if it was a confirmation to him about something the Lord was already dealing with him about. He thanked me, said goodbye and headed for the door. I stopped him and told him there was one more thing. He asked what it was. I said "I forgot to tell you about the little girl... I don't know why but you were tossing her in the air..."

I never got to finish. His eyes got as big as golfballs. He looked right. He looked left. It was as if he was afraid anyone was hearing me. He practically ran out of the church as he hurried for the door. I stood there thinking..."What have I done?" The pastor asked me not to let the man in on this until further notice. Did I ever feel guilty! I ran outside after him into the parking lot. He ignored my yelling for him to please stop. He wouldn't look at me as he hurried for his car. I finally got in front of him and asked him to forgive me. I told him I had no idea as to why any of this happened and I was truly sorry for upsetting him. Without looking at me, he simply said "The Lord's will be done brother!" The worse part about all of this... he NEVER came back to church.

Not long after all of this started happening, I left the church because of family issues and didn't look back. I ran from the Lord - until a few years ago when I ended up having one of those "burdens" again. I wish I could tell you I had been with the Lord when this happened but I can't. I was driving home from work one day when I felt that same type of "heaviness" I had experienced years ago. It was a familiar feeling but I had no idea why it was happening. I heard the words in my head saying, "When you get home... I want you to pray." I thought PRAY? About what or who? It was unusual that my family was all out of the house when I got home. I tried to ignore this "unction", for a lack of a better word, sitting down in front of the TV. The urge to pray would not go away. I turned off the TV and started walking around the family room wondering exactly what I was supposed to pray about - especially being backslidden! I thought this had to be my imagination! I decided to pray and see where things would go from there. I no sooner started to speak a few words when my eyes focused on a picture of my youngest grandson that was on the fireplace mantle. I then knew that I was to pray for him. My daughter had to go to Iraq with the Army's 101st Airborne Division. Both of my grandsons were living with us. The one I felt led to pray for was born with a broken neck. The doctors believed that someone messed up using forceps during the delivery. Click here to see a picture of the little guy before his miracle.

I walked over and placed my hand on his picture. The scripture where God declared how he is the "God of all flesh" and how nothing is impossible for him and the miracle of the valley of the dry bones coming together in Ezekiel 37, caused me to believe that it would be a small thing for God to heal my grandson's broken neck. I saw the MRI's. One of my grandson's discs was broken and a chunck of it was off in the mass of his neck! The poor little guy could not hold his head upright. It was always listing to one side or the other. The doctors said that he'll need surgery to hopefully correct everything after the age of 2. As I prayed, I actually envisioned the parts coming back together.

My daughter eventually returned from Iraq. Her and my wife both were constantly warning everyone to watch out for his neck. I kept saying, "He's healed!" They thought I was nuts. I told them to definitely get confirmation from the experts but I still believed he was healed. As time went on, he started showing signs of strength in his neck. He could hold it upright as normal as any other little boy. Not only that, he would do occasional neck bridges when he got mad at someone. He even started head-butting his older brother whenever they would get into little spats!! Well... his second birthday has come and gone with no surgery required. In fact, my wife and daughter called me at work one day as they were returning from the pre-op evaluation with the original doctors. My wife was all excited as she explained that the doctors couldn't explain it. There was no logical reason why his neck was 99% healed! They said they had never seen anything like it and, in their words, it was a miracle.

One more and I promise I'll shut up A lady at work was crying one day about her little 4 year old son who had been run over by a car. He suffered extreme damage to his leg. I saw the digital images she was showing to people after the child's surgery. The leg was in very bad shape. I nervously approached her and told her how I used to be a Christian but was returning to the Lord after my witnessing my grandson's miracle. I told her that I wouldn't offer her false hope but if she didn't mind giving me his name to place on my prayer list, I would like to pray for him remotely. She was more than happy to have me pray. She said he was going to have to have a miracle to fix everything. I told her how I ran from the Lord years ago and that I was returning to him after what happened to my grandson. I reassured her that I wasn't some kind of bible thumper but I truly did believe in miracles and I sincerely wanted to pray for her son. I also told her it was like an experiment I was conducting. In 2005, I was diagnosed with diabetes and a resulting disease known as neuropathy - a nerve disorder. I explained how I was in severe pain 24/7 but it would all be worth it if God would start using me in the area of "intercession" again.

I asked her what she would like to see first in the healing process. She said that she just wished he would walk again. She pulled out pictures to show me where he had to sit all the time and she said he was very depressed because he couldn't get up and move about. I ran with this being my focus in prayer. I told her I wouldn't bother her about his progress but I kept my ears wide open to hear of any changes. A few days later, I overheard her telling some friends how she couldn't get over how her son suddenly stood to his feet one day and walk around the house. I secretly thanked the Lord. Then I heard her mention how he wasn't running yet. I made that my focus again. The daycare center called her a few days later to let her know he started running in the play area all on his own. The mother said that he was clumsy when he ran because his little foot was still turned out -next focus for prayer! A few days later, I heard her telling others that his little foot was straight with no logical explanation. In fact, she said the last doctor's visit confirmed that the little guy is as normal as any other 4 year old boy. The only thing he's left with is the scars.

After these events, I put several elderly gentlemen on my prayer list which I keep on a thumbdrive. I carried the thumbdrive with me at all times which, when fumbling in my pocket, I would feel it which reminded me to pray. I realize these events could've all been coincidental and that my prayers had nothing to do with it. I don't want to beat you up with this LONG story trying to convince you that I'm someone special. In fact, the first man I put on my list died from advanced pancreatic cancer that had progressed into his liver. I wanted to go and lay hands on him but he declined and thanked me for keeping him in my prayers. I don't know the progress, if any, of the other two men I added to my list.

All I know is, like David asking God to restore the "joy" of his salvation after his return to the Lord, I too want to "fan into flames" the gift that I may have received way back then. The urging to pray for my grandson and his neck being restored to normal has caused me to return to the Lord and seek him like never before. I remember reading where God's gifts and his calling are irrevocable. I hope this is true in my case. I have a legitimate desire to pray for the sick. I wish I had the guts to go into hospitals and pray for people but I'm sure there is some sort of protocol one would have to follow.

Thanks for suffering through such a LONG story

[stacey c]

What awesome testimonies! Praise the Almighty God! I could feel the Holy Ghost all over those stories.

I believe God has definately called you into the ministry of Intercession.

My cousin also has a tremondous call in this area, and she has described some of those feelings also, of the uncontrolable weeping and groaning in her spirit.

There are times I feel the call for intercessory prayer for certain things or people, but my calling is in the prophetic.

The Word says "All things work to gether for the good..." you heeded the call of the Spirit and your grandson was healed, and you came back to the Lord.

What an Awesome God we serve.

God bless you

stacey c

[backontrack]

I know that believers everywhere are exhorted to offer intercessions for all men but I was wondering what you believe about whether or not their is a "gift" of intercession? Is there a special "calling" to intercession as a ministry?

1 Timothy 2:1

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men,

Intercession:

It is like any other office we are called to or gifting. I believe that the Holy Spirit guides us to interceed and beyond that we would be self Lead!

Could be dangerous to interceed for someone we are not called to interceed for.

I stand to be corrected but that is just my thinking.

Prayer and interceeding are 2 different things not to be confused!

[Guest]