Guidelines for Individual Times of Intercession
Tips for partnering with God to see lives, cities, and nations transformed through private intercession.
What is Intercession?
Christian intercession can be described as love on its knees, sacrificially praying for the needs of others. It’s an appeal for God to intervene in someone’s life, or in a specific place or situation. An intercessor stands in the gap, willing to identify with the sins of others, asking God for mercy and forgiveness as if those sins were their own.
For biblical context, study the lives of Nehemiah, Ezra, and Daniel as they were all mighty intercessors.
Intercession is one of the most dynamic and fulfilling aspects of the Christian life. From your prayer closet, you can impact the world. In partnership with God, you help release freedom, healing, salvation, and peace into nations, cities, families, and individuals.
Although rarely seen or recognized publicly, intercessors are essential to every growing church or ministry. Their consistency in prayer lays a foundation that allows God to move in power.
Prophetic Intercession
Prophetic intercession happens when God speaks directly to His people and shows them how to pray effectively. Intercessors must stay humble and teachable, listening for His voice.
Psalm 25:9 - He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way.
John 16:13 - When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth… and He will declare to you the things that are to come.
Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness… the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
Yield to the Word of God
The Bible is the most powerful tool an intercessor has. Let it guide your prayers. Keep it nearby as you intercede. The Holy Spirit will often highlight passages that offer powerful prayer strategies.
For Example:
Psalm 37:8 - Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
This verse might prompt you to pray through your own anxieties so you can intercede for others who are overwhelmed by worry.
Pray the Word Just As It Is
Psalm 91 and Ephesians 6:10–18 are powerful Scriptures for praying protection over loved ones, churches, and ministry leaders.
If you are called to full-time ministry or deep intercession, consider memorizing these passages.
Pray Blessings from Scripture
The Bible is filled with blessings. Speak them aloud. As you intercede for others, you also strengthen your own spirit. It’s a double blessing!
Speak and Declare the Word
Speaking God’s Word aloud ministers to your spirit and activates faith. It’s vital to keep your inner life vibrant and healthy.
Pray a Rhema Word from the Logos Word
Logos: the written Word of God which is all that is contained in the bible.
Rhema: when a verse jumps off the page and speaks directly to your situation.
When you pray a Rhema word, you align your intercession with heaven’s reality:
“Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
It’s like being handed a blank cheque. The storehouse is already full, just waiting to be accessed. Pray boldly and confidently!
Sometimes you won’t know why a certain verse is highlighted to you, but over time, God will reveal His purposes.
Use the Word to Build Long-Term Strategies
Scripture can shape your long-term prayer approach. For example:
Use the parable of the Prodigal Son as a framework for praying over loved ones who have walked away. (See Praying for Your Prodigal for more.)
Be Precise in Prayer
Avoid vague prayers. Instead of:
“God bless Bobby and give him what he needs,”
try:
“Father, give Bobby peace in his workplace, healing in his back, and a deeper sense of Your presence.”
Be clear and specific. Just like a child asks their father for food when they are hungry or a hug when they need reassurance. Don’t leave God guessing. It’s about relationship and not about a shopping list.
A Strong Word of Caution from a Seasoned Intercessor
God reveals secrets to those who can keep them.
A trusted intercessor is one who remains discreet. Until God clearly directs you to share what you’ve heard or seen in prayer, stay silent. Some revelations are meant to stay between you and the Lord.
Luke 9:36 (RSV) - And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Luke 2:19 (RSV) - Mary kept all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Here are a few Biblical examples of intercessory prayer.
Genesis 18:22–33 Abraham Interceded for the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, asking God to spare them if righteous people could be found there.]
Genesis 20:17–18 Abraham Prayed for Abimelech and his household after God had struck them because of Sarah.
Exodus 32:11–14 Moses Pleaded with God not to destroy Israel after they worshipped the golden calf.
Exodus 32:30–32 Moses Offered himself on behalf of Israel, seeking forgiveness for their rebellion.
Numbers 14:13–20 Moses Interceded after Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, appealing to God’s mercy and reputation among the nations.
Numbers 16:46–48 Aaron Stood between the living and the dead with incense during a plague, and the plague was stopped.
1 Samuel 7:5–9 Samuel Prayed for Israel as they repented and faced the Philistine army.
1 Samuel 12:23 Samuel Declared that he would not sin against the Lord by failing to pray for God’s people.
1 Kings 17:17–24 Elijah Prayed for the widow’s dead son, and God restored the child’s life.
2 Kings 19:14–19 Hezekiah Prayed for deliverance when Jerusalem was threatened by the Assyrian army.
Job 42:7–10 Job Prayed for the friends who had wrongly accused him, and God restored Job’s fortunes.
Daniel 9:3–19 Daniel Confessed the sins of the nation and pleaded for God’s mercy and restoration of Jerusalem.
Luke 22:31–32 Jesus Told Peter that He had prayed his faith would not fail during coming temptation.
John 17:6–26 Jesus Prayed for His disciples and for all future believers, asking for their protection, unity, and sanctification.
Acts 7:59–60 Stephen As he was being stoned, prayed that God would forgive those who were killing him.
Acts 12:5 The church Earnestly prayed for Peter while he was imprisoned, before his miraculous release.
Ephesians 1:15–23 Paul Prayed that believers would grow in wisdom, revelation, and understanding of God’s power.
Ephesians 3:14–21 Paul Prayed that believers would be strengthened spiritually and grasp the depth of Christ’s love.
Colossians 1:9–14 Paul Prayed that the church would know God’s will and live lives worthy of the Lord.
1 Timothy 2:1–4 Paul Instructed believers to pray for all people, especially those in authority, so that society might enjoy peace and many would come to salvation.
An important note: Biblical intercession just isn’t asking for someone’s immediate comfort. Throughout the bible, intecessors prayed:
* For repentance after sin.
* For protection during danger.
* For healing and restoration.
* For national revival.
* For wisdom and spiritual growth.
* For forgiveness of enemies.
* For God’s glory to be revealed.
* For the advance of His kingdom.
Intercession is much more than bringing people with physical needs before God. It is partnering with God’s purposes in lives, businesses, cities, nations and the world.
©1997, 2026 Katherine (Kath) Walden
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