Intercession is the act of intervening or pleading on behalf of another person. In the Bible, intercession is often seen as praying or petitioning God on behalf of someone else. Here are some key Bible verses about intercession:
1. Jesus Christ intercedes for believers
“Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” (Romans 8:34)
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
These verses point to Jesus Christ as our intercessor before God. As the Son of God, Jesus stands before the Father and intercedes on behalf of those who believe in Him. His death on the cross paved the way for the forgiveness of sins, and His resurrection affirms His power over sin and death. Now ascended to heaven, Jesus continues to intercede as our high priest and mediator.
2. The Holy Spirit intercedes for believers
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)
The Holy Spirit dwells within believers and aids us in our weakness and limited understanding. When we don’t know how to pray as we should, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us before God the Father. Through wordless groans, the Spirit articulates the desires of our heart and lifts them up in prayer.
3. We are called to intercede for other believers
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people…” (1 Timothy 2:1)
“Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)
As members of the body of Christ, we are encouraged to intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ through prayer. By lifting each other up in prayer and confessing sins to one another, we exhibit care for the spiritual health and vitality of the church.
4. Interceding for those in authority
“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
We are called to intercede through prayer for those in authority over us, including governmental leaders and high officials. By praying for their wisdom and discernment, we contribute to the establishment of justice, peace and godly morality in society.
5. Moses interceded for the Israelites
“Therefore he said he would destroy them—had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.” (Psalm 106:23)
Moses frequently interceded for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. One notable example is seen when Moses entreated God to spare the people after they worshipped the golden calf. As a mediator, Moses stood before God pleading for mercy on behalf of sinful Israel.
6. Job interceded for his friends
“My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)
After falsely accusing Job, God commanded his three friends to make sacrifices and have Job pray for them. Job obeyed and interceded on their behalf, praying for the forgiveness of their sin. God then restored Job and blessed him even more than before.
7. Samuel interceded for Israel
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23)
The prophet Samuel faithfully interceded for the nation of Israel throughout his ministry. Even when they rejected his leadership by demanding a king, Samuel continued to pray for them and point them to God. He committed to intercede for them and instruct them in God’s ways.
8. Epaphras labored in prayer for others
“Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” (Colossians 4:12)
Epaphras was known for laboring fervently in prayer as he interceded for the believers in Colossae. His persistent prayers were for their maturity, faith and discerning of God’s will. He provides a model of dedicated intercession.
9. Abraham interceded for Sodom
“Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” (Genesis 18:23)
When God was prepared to destroy the exceedingly sinful city of Sodom, Abraham boldly approached Him and pleaded for mercy. Through reasoned dialogue, Abraham interceded appealing to the just character of God. Though the city was not spared, God heard Abraham’s prayer.
10. God desires intercessors
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
This verse indicates God looks for those who will stand in the gap as intercessors, beseeching Him to show mercy. Unfortunately at times there are none willing to plead for the people. Yet God still eagerly seeks out those with intercessory hearts.
11. The Holy Spirit intercedes through the saints
“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 through wordless groans.” (Romans 8:26)
This fascinating verse indicates the Holy Spirit intercedes not only directly to God the Father, but also through the wordless groans and prayers of believers. As we pray, the Spirit works through us, taking our desires before the throne of grace.
12. Jesus Christ lives to intercede for us
“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Jesus never stops interceding for His people as their eternal high priest. His intercession began after His resurrection and continues perpetually before the Father. We can approach God’s throne with confidence knowing Christ lives to intercede.
13. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful
“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)
When we intercede from a righteous heart and pure motives, our prayers become potent and fruitful. As we intercede for others, we must examine our own hearts and live uprightly before God.
14. Paul constantly prayed for others
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy…” (Philippians 1:3-4)
The apostle Paul faithfully interceded in prayer for all the churches he established. His letters are filled with declarations of how unceasingly he prayed for their spiritual growth and ministry effectiveness.
15. Jesus intercedes as our heavenly mediator
“For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Jesus alone functions as the mediator between sinful humanity and a holy God. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, He provided reconciliation and now continuously intercedes as our heavenly advocate.
16. The Mal. 4:5 prophecy says Elijah will intercede for families
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…” (Mal. 4:5-6)
Prophetically speaking, part of Elijah’s end times role is to act as an intercessor and reconcile families, softening hearts between generations and turning affections toward one another.
17. Abraham interceded fervently for Sodom
“Then Abraham approached him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?'” (Genesis 18:23)
Though exceedingly sinful, Abraham interceded with God passionately for Sodom, appealing to His divine justice. Abraham’s plea represents a model of bold yet humble intercession.
18. We should pray for our persecutors
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44)
In an astonishing act of mercy, Jesus calls us to intercede for our enemies, praying for the well-being of those who seek our harm or destruction.
19. God sought for a intercessor but found no one
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
God searched intently for an intercessor willing to implore Him for mercy, but could not find one to stand in the gap. This reveals how God treasures those with intercessory hearts.
20. Jesus intercedes so we can overcome
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?… No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35,37)
Because Christ intercedes for us before the Father, we are empowered to overcome any obstacle or adversity by the power of His steadfast love.
In summary, the Bible highlights the power and privilege of intercessory prayer. Jesus constantly intercedes for us, and we’re exhorted to intercede for others through prayer. As we lift each other up before God’s throne of grace, we participate in His divine plans and purposes in the world.