Interceding, in the biblical context, refers to the act of intervening or mediating on behalf of another, particularly through prayer. This concept is deeply rooted in the Scriptures and is exemplified by various figures who stand in the gap between God and humanity, pleading for mercy, guidance, or intervention.

Old Testament Examples

One of the earliest examples of intercession is found in the life of Abraham. In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham intercedes for Sodom and Gomorrah, negotiating with God to spare the cities if righteous individuals can be found within them. This passage highlights the power of intercessory prayer and God's willingness to listen to His faithful servants.

Moses is another prominent intercessor. In Exodus 32:11-14, after the Israelites sin by worshiping the golden calf, Moses pleads with God to relent from His anger and not destroy His people. Moses' intercession is pivotal, as it demonstrates his role as a mediator and his deep concern for the Israelites' welfare.

The prophets also played significant roles as intercessors. Jeremiah, despite the people's persistent rebellion, is instructed by God to pray for them (Jeremiah 7:16). Similarly, Daniel's prayer in Daniel 9:3-19 is a profound example of intercession, as he confesses the sins of Israel and seeks God's mercy and restoration.

New Testament Examples

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate intercessor. His entire ministry is marked by acts of intercession, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. In John 17, often referred to as the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for His disciples and all future believers, asking for their protection and unity.

The Apostle Paul frequently intercedes for the early churches. In Ephesians 1:16-18, he writes, "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him." Paul's letters are replete with prayers for spiritual growth, strength, and perseverance for the believers.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in intercession. Romans 8:26-27 states, "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 with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." This passage underscores the Spirit's active participation in the believer's prayer life, ensuring that prayers align with God's will.

Theological Significance

Intercession is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, reflecting the love and compassion believers are called to have for one another. It is an expression of the priesthood of all believers, as described in 1 Peter 2:9, where Christians are called to be a "royal priesthood." Through intercession, believers participate in God's redemptive work, standing in the gap for others and seeking His intervention in the world.

Interceding is not only a privilege but also a responsibility, as it aligns the believer's heart with God's purposes and fosters a deeper relationship with Him. The practice of intercession is a testament to the power of prayer and the transformative impact it can have on individuals, communities, and nations.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Intercede.5241. huperentugchano -- to intercede, to make petition for
... 5241 () is used only in Ro 8:26. 5241 ("intercede") refers to the Holy Spirit
interceding in scene of our lives so we can "come in line with" the Lord's . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5241.htm - 7k

The Interceding Spirit
... ROMANS THE INTERCEDING SPIRIT. 'The Spirit itself maketh intercession for
us with groanings which cannot be uttered.'"Romans 8:26. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the interceding spirit.htm

Psalm 2 Translated According to the Divine Pattern, Acts 4:24, Etc ...
... Christ dying, rising, interceding, and reigning. SM ... Christ dying, rising,
interceding, and reigning. PAUSE. [Maker and sovereign Lord. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/psalm 2 translated according to.htm

Section 6, 7. When the Word and Son Hungered, Wept, and was ...
... hunger and weep and weary, and to cry Eloi, Eloi, which are our human affections,
He receives them from us and offers to the Father [3305] , interceding for us ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 6 7 when the.htm

Saw Ye My Savior? PM Christ's Crucifixion.
... 4 There interceding, there interceding, Pleading that sinners may live; Crying,
"Father, I have died; Oh, behold my hands and side! Oh, forgive them! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/137 saw ye my savior.htm

The Enthroned Christ
... points, and to see, in Christ's sitting at the right hand, the revelation of these
things:"The exalted Man, the resting Saviour, the interceding Priest, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the enthroned christ.htm

Hymns for the Use of the People Called Methodists
... praying, watching, working, suffering, seeking full redemption " a long and most
distinctive section " and then saved; finally interceding for the world. ...
/.../manning/the hymns of wesley and watts five papers/hymns for the use of.htm

For all Men, the Just as Well as the Unjust...
... will sleep give ease to these men, nor will the night afford them comfort; death
will not free them from their punishment, nor will the interceding prayers of ...
/.../josephus/discourse to the greeks concerning hades/section 6 for all men.htm

Rejection of Errors
... Who is he that condemns? 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. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/synod of dort/rejection of errors 4.htm

Our Lord's Sacerdotal Prayer
... His sublime loyalty and fidelity to God are declared, that fidelity to God which
is of the very essence of interceding prayer. Our devoted lives pray. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/xi our lords sacerdotal prayer.htm

Introduction.
... lies, either in the lack of fellowship with Jesus Christ, or of obedience to His
commands, or in the absence from their hearts of the interceding Spirit, or in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/introduction.htm

Interceding (1 Occurrence)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Intercede. Multi-Version Concordance Interceding (1 Occurrence). ...
He is also at the right hand of God, and is interceding for us. (WEY NIV). ...
/i/interceding.htm - 6k

Intercession (12 Occurrences)
... people, O Yahweh." Malachi 1:9 appeals to them for intercession to God, and the
graphic scene in 1 Maccabees 7:33-38 shows the priests interceding on behalf of ...
/i/intercession.htm - 52k

Intercedeth (1 Occurrence)

/i/intercedeth.htm - 6k

Philemon (2 Occurrences)
... It was written for the purpose of interceding for Onesimus (qv), who had
deserted his master Philemon and been "unprofitable" to him. ...
/p/philemon.htm - 17k

Barnabas (33 Occurrences)
... Possibly on the ground of former acquaintanceship, interceding as Paul's sponsor
and surety, he removed the distrust of the disciples at Jerusalem and secured ...
/b/barnabas.htm - 25k

Mediation
... We do not in the Old Testament hear of angels interceding with God (God-ward mediation),
but only as intermediaries of revelation and of the Divine will (man ...
/m/mediation.htm - 38k

Ascension (1 Occurrence)
... on our behalf, interceding by His presence, bestowing the Holy Spirit, governing
and guiding the church, sympathizing, helping and saving His people, we are ...
/a/ascension.htm - 34k

Mediator (7 Occurrences)
... We do not in the Old Testament hear of angels interceding with God (God-ward mediation),
but only as intermediaries of revelation and of the Divine will (man ...
/m/mediator.htm - 42k

Christ (573 Occurrences)
... of our Lord's mediatorial office is specially summed up in His intercession in which
He appears in His high-priestly office, and also as interceding with the ...
/c/christ.htm - 101k

What is the purpose of Jesus interceding for us in Heaven? | GotQuestions.org

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Interceding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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