We are called to meet with the King. This is intercession. There are many types of prayer, all having a specific purpose, but intercession is something we do before the courts of heaven in an effort to stop the enemy. If we align ourselves with Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have a team of spiritual sons of God on our side. There also is a team of fallen spiritual sons of God who are against us. There are humans who are motivated by the fallen sons of God to also stand against us. Sometimes there are aggressive attacks against the Body of Christ. We are called to meet with the King, the Creator of all. What will we say? We meet with the courts of heaven when we intercede just as David did. We call for judgment and freedom from oppression and we intervene on behalf of others who are immature and unaware of their rights before the courts of the Lord.
Paul gave us some good guidance that we have not quite understood. While it seems that several words are the same, they really are not. This is where mysteries lie, in deciphering the differences.
1 Timothy 2:1 G3870 I appeal G3767 then, G4412 first G3956 of all G4160 to make G1162 supplications, G4335 prayers, G1783 intercessions, G2169 thankfulnesses G5228 for G3956 all G444 men;
“I call therefore before all, to make a petition, prayer, intercession, thankfulness, in behalf of all manfaced”.
1162 LSJ Gloss:δέησις an entreating, asking: a prayer, entreaty
Dodson:δέησις supplication, prayer supplication, prayer, entreaty.
Thayer:
1) need, indigence, want, privation, penury
2) a seeking, asking, entreating, entreaty to God or to man
For Synonyms see entry G5828
δέησις
deēsis deh'-ay-sis From G1189; a petition KJV Usage: prayer, request, supplication.
4335 LSJ Gloss:προσευχή prayer
Dodson:προσευχή prayer, a place for prayer
(a) prayer (to God), (b) a place for prayer (used by Jews, perhaps where there was no synagogue).
Thayer:
1) prayer addressed to God
2) a place set apart or suited for the offering of prayer
2a) a synagogue
2b) a place in the open air where the Jews were wont to pray, outside the cities, where they had no synagogue
2b1) such places were situated upon the bank of a stream or the shore of a sea, where there was a supply of water for washing the hands before prayer
For Synonyms see entry G5828
προσευχή
proseuchē pros-yoo-khay' From G4336; prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel)
KJV Usage: X pray earnestly, prayer.
1783 LSJ Gloss:ἔντευξις a lighting upon, meeting with, converse, intercourse
Dodson:ἔντευξις a petition, prayer, intercession (lit: approaching the king, hence a technical term), a petition, prayer, intercession.
Thayer:
1) a falling in with, meeting with
1a) an interview
1a1) a coming together
1a2) to visit
1a3) converse or for any other cause
1b) that for which an interview is held
1b1) a conference or conversation
1b2) a petition, supplication
For Synonyms see entry G5828
ἔντευξις
enteuxis ent'-yook-sis From G1793; an interview, that is, (specifically) supplication KJV Usage: intercession, prayer.
2169 LSJ Gloss:εὐχαριστία thankfulness, gratitude
Dodson:εὐχαριστία thankfulness, gratitude thankfulness, gratitude; giving of thanks, thanksgiving.
Thayer:
1) thankfulness
2) the giving of thanks
εὐχαριστία
eucharistia yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah From G2170; gratitude; actually grateful language (to God, as an act of worship) KJV Usage: thankfulness, (giving of) thanks (-giving).
We are supposed to seek and ask Yahweh on behalf of all manfaced, all humans. The opposite would be to not seek Yahweh on behalf of other sons of God. We are to address God on behalf of manfaced. We are to take care of our own. We are to approach the king on behalf of other humans. We are to offer thanks on behalf of manfaced.
We can ask, deēsis, as in prayer without being in the courts of the Lord. We can pray proseuchē, addressing God without being in the courts of the Lord. We can worship with thanksgiving, eucharistia, without being in the courts of heaven. But when we intercede, enteuxis, we are to be in direct contact with the courts of heaven. The idea here is that we can pray, express thanks, and address a subject to God, all as a one way message. We don’t need a response. We send up our thoughts, ideas, and requests, and leave the verdict up to Yahweh. But in intercession, we are having a meeting or a conference, conversing back and forth like an interview until we have a conclusion. As the definition suggests, this is a technical term, making an appeal to a higher authority which is done face to face.
Who/what are we to be praying, interceding, asking, and thanking the Lord for?
1 Timothy 2:2 G5228 for G935 kings, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 of the ones G1722 [2in G5247 3superiority G1510.6 1being], G2443 that G2263 a calm G2532 and G2272 unassuming G979 existence G1236 should be led G1722 in G3956 all G2150 piety G2532 and G4587 seriousness.
“In behalf of kings, and all being in prominence, in order that tranquil and quiet life to carry over, in all respect and dignity”
We are to pray for kings and other political leaders so that we can have tranquility and a quiet life. This is so that we can live with respect and dignity, worshipping Yahweh and fellowshipping with others in the Body of Christ. We seem to have this backwards. We want to physically go to earthly leaders and elected officials and tell them what we want. Instead we are to direct our requests to the courts of heaven and we are to have a direct meeting in the courts of heaven, as David did, to affect what happens in our communities and nations.
The kings and those in authority are simply pawns under the control of the satan, the god of this world, or they may be under the authority of Yahweh. It doesn’t matter which, because if we are doing what we should do, we will see the results of our intercessions. The pawns of the satan have no legal authority over the Children of the Most High unless we relinquish our own authority to them. This is the mistake that we have made. We have forfeited our authority hoping we can live quiet and peaceful lives, but it doesn’t work that way. Once we relinquish our authority we have to fight to get it back. As the satan’s pawns take away more freedoms we have to fight harder and harder to regain what we have lost. I’m not sure where we, the Body of Christ, went wrong. It would seem that wolves in sheep’s clothing pacified the flocks until the churches were told not to meet, not to sing, not to have communion, not to evangelize, and not to serve in the communities.
There is an elitist mindset among some that this type of prayer in the courts of heaven is only for those with a “calling”. That is nonsense. All are called to intercede. There is no special anointing, or special group. All can be taught and all can do what David did. David was a bloody warrior, slaying giants and securing Israel for the temple that Solomon built. His family was messy, and he himself did things that he shouldn’t have done. But he knew how to petition the courts of heaven and he was never rejected entry. He, as well as all of us, are always welcome.
1 Timothy 2:3 G3778 For this G1063 G2570 is good G2532 and G587 worthy of being received G1799 before G3588 G4990 [2our deliverer G1473 G2316 1God];
“For this beautiful and worthy to be received before the face of our Savior, Elohim”.
This is beautiful or virtuous and you will be received in the presence of God our Savior. The act of praying, asking, giving thanks, and interceding is a beautiful, genuine, morally good, noble, and honorable thing to do. Why? We are speaking of prayer for others, not prayer for ourselves. Paul is directing us to make time for a meeting in the presence of Yahweh on behalf of other people. We can enter the courts on our own behalf when we are under attack or when we are in a battle, but we are to also enter the courts on behalf of leaders and rulers who will affect the lives of many people. Have we ever really taken this seriously? Paul is not instructing a small group of people that are calling themselves “intercessors”, he is instructing everyone. Everyone can and will be received by Yahweh and everyone making Jesus Lord is worthy. He is not far away.
Maybe we have used prayer similar to a toddler meltdown. When we are having a difficult time we have a tantrum and expect Yahweh to fix what is wrong. Instead we are to have a dialogue, a conversation, a meeting, with Yahweh, where we point out the things that our enemy is attempting to do to us and we demand a solution. If we are guilty of what we are being accused of, we repent and declare the blood of Jesus. If we are not guilty of what we are being accused of then we reject the accusations and demand retribution. Remember how David prayed? He called for death, he called for complete loss of wealth, loss of status, loss of family. He called for sickness and for people to become exiles and for the devil to judge his accusers. He was not shy. He took his petitions to the courts and argued his case, he did not cry about it waiting for someone else to fix it.
In the context of chapter 4 of I Timothy, Paul is talking about people leaving faith and becoming addicted to spirits of delusion and instructions of demons, becoming hypocrites and liars. Paul is saying that people are making up religious rites or rituals. People may have been eating unclean foods. Paul explains that all things God created are good if received with thanksgiving. Why?
1 Timothy 4:4 G3754 For G3956 every G2938 creation G2316 of God G2570 is good, G2532 and G3762 nothing G579 to be spurned, G3326 with G2169 thankfulness G2983 being received.
5 G37 For it is sanctified G1063 G1223 through G3056 the word G2316 of God, G2532 and G1783 intercession.
“For sanctified through speech (logos) of Elohim, and intercession”.
If you are giving thanks for food, your food is sanctified through the speech of Elohim and your intercession. David and his men were able to eat of the shewbread in the tabernacle and it was not unholy or unrighteous. It was the priests bread, the bread of the presence. We are in the presence of God when we pray and especially so when we intercede. Food is cleansed by the word of God and by intercession.
There are plenty of “diet plans” for health benefits. There are also many “religious diets” for spiritual benefits. Paul is confronting the religious ideas of food. Why? Because he is speaking to non-Jews. If we remember, Jesus fulfilled the law. There was no longer a religious reason to follow a prescribed diet. The nations did not have this rooted in their own thinking. They ate everything. Paul is saying that they can eat whatever they want because it is sanctified through the words of Elohim and intercession. There were many Jews who rejected the foods that non-Jews ate and would not even eat with people of other nationalities. Talk about racism, the non-Jews were dirty and unclean to the religious Jews. Paul is correcting that here. There are some countries that eat differently than others, one is not better or worse, all foods are acceptable to the Elohim. Therefore if we feel that we are transgressing by eating something that we should not, then we can intercede in our own behalf.
In The Letter of Aristeas, we see that at about the third century BCE, an explanation from the High Priest in the temple of Nehemiah regarding clean and unclean. It was not about foods specifically but attitudes of the heart. Animals had behaviors that were not acceptable, such as weasels, rabbits or pigs. People were not to behave poorly towards others. People observed the behaviors of animals and birds as they worked in the fields. They understood the destructive behaviors of these animals, so Yahweh compared their behaviors to that which is unclean. None of the clean or unclean animals were intended to create a religious diet. Therefore Paul recognizes he cannot change a deeply entrenched religious practice simply by telling them to eat whatever they want, instead he simply says that the food is sanctified by the logos of Elohim and by intercession.
Paul gives us some wonderful ideas about someone else who intercedes for us and with us. We don’t always have to know how to pray. The Holy Spirit can intercede through us.
Romans 8:26 G5615 And likewise G1161 G2532 also G3588 the G4151 spirit G4878 aids G3588 in G769 our weaknesses. G1473 G3588 For the thing -- G1063 G5100 what G4336 we pray for G2526 according to G1163 necessity, G3756 we do not G1492 know; G235 but G1473 [3itself G3588 1the G4151 2spirit] G5241 intercedes G5228 for G1473 us G4726 [2moanings G215 1with unutterable].
“But in like manner Spirit co-operates our feebleness for the one to offer prayers according as it is necessary, know not however the Spirit itself intercedes for in behalf of us unspeakable sighing”.
5241 LSJ Gloss:ὑπερεντυγχάνω to intercede
Dodson:ὑπερεντυγχάνω I intercede for I intercede for, make petition for.
Thayer:
1) to intercede for one
ὑπερεντυγχάνω
huperentugchanō hoop-er-en-toong-khan'-o From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of KJV Usage: make intercession for.
The Spirit co-operates or connects with our heart. We do not know how to pray for others, we don’t always know Yahweh’s plans, so the Holy Spirit offers prayers as it is necessary yet we do not know know the words. The words that the Holy Spirit uses are unspeakable sighs or groans. Meaning, the language is different, it is not a language of men or angels, it is a language that cannot be learned by us. We will not hear it and be able to understand it. This is because if we could understand it we might want to change what is being prayed. This way we allow the Holy Spirit to pray through us, in partnership with us, but we do not have to be aware of the Holy Spirit’s words.
1Co 14:14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
1Co 14:15 What then is it? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the mind; I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the mind. LITV
If I allow the Holy Spirit to pray through me, I can still use my mind to perform other tasks such as walking, driving, cooking, or doing any other task. Our mind will continue to work and accomplish tasks as needed. Our mind is capable of being in full use while we pray in the Spirit. We can sing in the Spirit too. Again, we won’t be able to write down the words and translate them but we can do what we need to do while we sing in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit then will bring our hearts desires to the throne of the heavenly courts with better accuracy and precision. The one sent to teach, comfort, and correct the world is able to work through us. This type of prayer is not about us going into the heavenly courts but about interceding via the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit advocates for us and others as a defense attorney and a prosecuting attorney.
Romans 8:27 G3588 But the one G1161 G2045 searching G3588 the G2588 hearts G1492 knows G5100 what G3588 the G5427 thought G3588 of the G4151 spirit is, G3754 for G2596 according to G2316 God G1793 it intercedes G5228 for G39 the holy ones.
“But searches diligently the heart knows ones thoughts the Spirit that downward Elohim intercedes in behalf of the saints”.
1793 LSJ Gloss:ἐντυγχάνω to light upon, fall in with, meet with
Dodson:ἐντυγχάνω I meet, encounter, call upon, make a petition (a) I meet, encounter, hence: (b) I call (upon), make a petition, make suit, supplication.
Thayer:
1) to light upon a person or a thing, fall in with, hit upon, a person or a thing
2) to go to or meet a person, esp. for the purpose of conversation, consultation, or supplication
3) to pray, entreat
4) make intercession for any one
ἐντυγχάνω
entugchanō en-toong-khan'-o From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against) KJV Usage: deal with, make intercession.
This sentence should be more closely connected to the previous one, there were no numbered sentences or punctuations in the original texts. Let’s put these two together.
“But in like manner Spirit co-operates our feebleness for the one to offer prayers according as it is necessary, know not however the Spirit itself intercedes for in behalf of us unspeakable sighing but searches diligently the heart knows ones thoughts, the Spirit that downward Elohim intercedes in behalf of the saints”.
The Holy Spirit searches the hearts and knows ones thoughts. The Spirit brings intercession downward to God in behalf of the saints. In other words the Holy Spirit downloads (kata) to God, for the saints, by searching the hearts of humans. This is good news for us as we certainly don’t know all the details that we are to pray for. In fact there are many times that we end up on the wrong side of an issue due to our own limited knowledge. Sometimes we pray for what others tell us they want, not what the Lord says they need. Sometimes we think we must be “right” and pray according to our own ideas. By when praying in the spirit we let the Holy Spirit do the interceding for us despite our own ideas and opinions.
As this section goes on, we now come to another intercessor that is in addition to us and the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:33 G5100 Who G1458 accuses G2596 against G1588 the chosen G2316 of God? G2316 God G3588 is the one G1344 justifying.
34 G5100 Who G3588 is the one G2632 condemning? G5547 Christ G3588 is the one G599 having died, G3123 and more G1161 G2532 also G1453 being arisen, G3739 who G2532 also G1510.2.3 is G1722 at G1188 the right G3588 of God, G2316 G3739 who G2532 also G1793 intercedes G5228 for G1473 us.
“Someone brings a charge downward against, chosen of Elohim, Elohim defends the cause”.
“Someone judge worthy of punishment, the Messiah died but rather rose up who is in right side of Elohim, who intercedes in behalf of us”.
When someone, human or spiritual being, brings a charge, a downward accusation, or calls down a curse on one of the chosen of God, then God defends them. When someone is judged worthy of punishment, it is Christ who intercedes for us. There are no questions here. Notice the two situations. There are times when we are charged in the courts of heaven or cursed before the courts of Yahweh and the Elohim defend us because a curse causeless cannot alight. There are other times when we are actually judged worthy of the charge against us. We then are defended by Christ. How is that? We are washed by His blood and our sins are forgiven. Sometimes those spiritual entities have to be reminded of that. So Christ intercedes on our behalf, by his blood.
In speaking about Jesus and the Melchizedek priesthood, Jesus is the pledge or guarantee of a better priesthood.
Hebrews 7:23 G2532 And G3588 G3303 indeed, G4183 there are more G1510.2.6 G1096 [2being G2409 1priests], G1223 on account of G3588 G2288 death G2967 restrained G3887 from remaining;
24 G3588 but he, G1161 G1223 because of G3588 G3306 his abiding G1473 G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon, G531 [3inviolable G2192 1has G3588 2the] G2420 priesthood.
Because Jesus lives eternally he has the unchanging and permanent priesthood where he is able to save us and intercede for us.
Hebrews 7:25 G3606 From where G2532 [2even G4982 3to deliver G1519 4totally G3588 G3838 G1410 1he is able] G3588 the ones G4334 coming forward G1223 through G1473 him G3588 G2316 to God, G3842 at all times G2198 living G1519 to intercede G3588 G1793 G5228 for G1473 them.
“From whom is powerful to save completely, coming near through him, the Elohim, at all times, lives to intercede in behalf of them”.
Jesus has a permanent viable priesthood that is powerful to save completely. We come near to Jesus, the Elohim, and at all times Jesus lives to intercede on behalf of humans. Again we see intercession is on behalf of others. But the key here is coming near to Him. If one rejects Jesus he does not come near to Jesus. That decision is up to each individual.
Paul points out a situation with Elijah where Elijah interceded for Israel and himself. After the miracle contest with the prophets of Baal, Elijah ran away from Mt Carmel as he believed he was the only prophet left and Jezebel and Ahab wanted to kill him. There were things going on behind the scenes that he did not know. As he met with the King, Yahweh, he discussed his concerns.
Romans 11:2 G3756 [2did not G683 3thrust away G3588 G2316 1God] G3588 G2992 his people G1473 G3739 whom G4267 he foreknew. G2228 Or G3756 do you not G1492 know G1722 in G* Elijah G5100 what G3004 [3says G3588 1the G1124 2scripture], G5613 how G1793 he intercedes G3588 G2316 with God G2596 according to G3588 G* Israel, G3004 saying,
3 G2962 O Lord, G3588 G4396 [2your prophets G1473 G615 1they killed], G2532 and G3588 G2379 your altars G1473 G2679 they razed, G2504 and I G5275 [2 am left G3441 1alone], G2532 and G2212 they seek G3588 G5590 my life. G1473
Again, we see the word kata, downward, with the idea of intercession. Elijah had a downward meeting with Yahweh on behalf of Israel. Downward denotes the direction of the subjects. Elijah is before the courts of heaven, meeting with Yahweh on behalf of Israel. He had just killed the prophets of Baal but then he thought that he was the only prophet left. However seven thousand men were hidden in a cave who did not serve Baal. Two things are important here. If Elijah had known about the seven thousand men, he might have gone there after killing the prophets of Baal, exposing their hideout. Also, if Elijah had known about the seven thousand men, his prayer would have been different, not necessarily interceding for Israel as he would have realized that if he was murdered there would be others to step up in his place.
When we look at Isaiah we find a Masoretic alteration to the text. Isaiah is describing the Messiah and his prophetic attributes. The words “intercession for the transgressors” is added to the text. Isaiah is saying that the Messiah is offered up because of the sins of his people.
Isa 53:12 (KJV) Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Compare.
Isaiah 53:12 G1223 On account of G3778 this G1473 he G2816 shall inherit G4183 many; G2532 and G3588 of the G2478 strong ones G3307 he will portion out G4661 spoils, G446.2 because G3860 [2was delivered up G1519 3unto G2288 4death G3588 G5590 1his soul]; G1473 G2532 and G1722 [2among G3588 3the G459 4lawless ones G3049 1he was considered]; G2532 and G1473 he himself G266 [2 the sins G4183 3of many G399 1bore], G2532 and G1223 because of G3588 G458 their lawless deeds G1473 G3860 he was delivered up.
Isaiah 53:12 Therefore he shall inherit many, and he shall divide the spoils of the mighty; because his soul was delivered to death: and he was numbered among the transgressors; and he bore the sins of many, and was delivered because of their iniquities. http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Esaias/index.htm
It would seem that the Masoretes, who named many people “Messiah” over the years, wanted to give the Messiah a character trait of interceding for transgressors. It is not that Jesus doesn’t do that, but he only does that for those who come near to him. People intercede for other people, but the Messiah, the High Priest of the Melchizedek order, intercedes for those who come near to them. With this alteration, anyone who prays for transgressors could be named Messiah. This is the way that they attempted to once again eliminate Jesus from history. It is also the way that the Masoretes keep people from coming near to Jesus. If the Messiah takes away our freedom of will and treats us as if we are a pawn moved by his command, then no one has to worry about finding and coming near to Jesus on their own. No, Jesus was murdered because of their lawless deeds. He sent many people to intercede in behalf of Israel and Judah, but they rejected him.
Paul has some ideas for us. He suggests that we rejoice and pray.
5463 LSJ Gloss:χαίρω to rejoice, be glad, be delighted
Dodson:χαίρω I rejoice, am glad I rejoice, am glad; also a salutation: Hail.
Thayer:
1) to rejoice, be glad
2) to rejoice exceedingly
3) to be well, thrive
4) in salutations, hail!
5) at the beginning of letters: to give one greeting, salute
χαίρω
chairō khah'ee-ro A primary verb; to be full of “cheer” , that is, calmly happy or well off; impersonal especially as a salutation (on meeting or parting), be well KJV Usage: farewell, be glad, God speed, greeting, hail, joy (-fully), rejoice.
Always be joyful. We know the end of the story. We know how to positively affect the government. We know how to silence the enemy. What is there to be anxious about? Rejoicing at all times in all things drives our enemies crazy. They cannot get to us.
This is like an old Star Trek episode from 1968 (The Day of the Dove) where an alien being came aboard the Enterprise and tried to make the Klingons and the Federation fight each other in an endless war. When the crews realized that the alien grew stronger through their hate, discord, and fighting, the Klingons and the Federation then united against the alien and changed their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, to be be in unison. As they now laughed at the alien, it grew weak and left their presence. Keep that visual in mind.
89 Dodson:ἀδιαλείπτωσ unceasingly unceasingly, without remission.
Thayer:
1) without intermission, incessantly, without ceasing
ἀδιαλείπτως
adialeiptōs ad-ee-al-ipe'-toce Adverb from G88; uninterruptedly, that is, without omission (on an appropriate occasion) KJV Usage: without ceasing.
4336 προσεύχομαιto offer prayers
Dodson:προσεύχομαι I pray, pray for I pray, pray for, offer prayer.
Thayer:
1) to offer prayers, to pray
προσεύχομαι
proseuchomai pros-yoo'-khom-ahee From G4314 and G2172; to pray to God, that is, supplicate, worship KJV Usage: pray (X earnestly, for), make prayer.
4314 LSJ Gloss:πρός motion from
Dodson:πρόσ to, towards, with.
Thayer:
1) to the advantage of
2) at, near, by
3) to, towards, with, with regard to
πρός
pros pros A strengthened form of G4253; a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; with the dative case by the side of, that is, near to; usually with the accusative case the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, that is, whither or for which it is predicated) KJV Usage: about, according to, against, among, at, because of, before, between, ([where-]) by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), + together, to ([you]) -ward, unto, with (-in). In compounds it denotes essentially the same applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.
2172 LSJ Gloss:εὔχομαι to pray, offer prayers, pay one's vows, make a vow
Dodson:εὔχομαι I pray, wish.
Thayer:
1) to pray to God
2) to wish, to pray, to pray for
εὔχομαι
euchomai yoo'-khom-ahee Middle voice of a primary verb; to wish; by implication to pray to God KJV Usage: pray, will, wish.
Proseuchomai is made up of pros meaning “toward” and euchomai meaning “to pray”. The idea is to not stop praying toward God. Pray all the time and in all things. There is no reason not to continually pray. There are so many things that need our attention, we can pray any time, all the time. We may not have the time to intercede, but we can pray with our words, or we can pray in the Spirit.
1Thessalonians 5:18 G1722 In G3956 everything G2168 give thanks! G3778 for this G1063 G2307 is the will G2316 of God G1722 in G5547 Christ G* Jesus G1519 for G1473 you.
Pauls words to us are similar to what he has already said. Giving thanks keeps us aware that the Lord is good and he gives us good things. Let’s not extinguish the Spirit by forgetting to pray in the Spirit. Let’s not ignore prophecies either.
Paul gives us some good ideas for our age. He tells us to have a meeting with Yahweh regarding kings and political leaders. Again, it doesn’t matter who a political leader serves, Yahweh or the satan, it only matters that we make the effort to intercede so the we can lead tranquil and peaceful lives. Unfortunately we can usually see the result of our inaction. We are not always living a tranquil and peaceful life. Chaos is all around us. We are the ones who are suppose to hold the satan and all his chaos back on the earth. It is safe to say that we haven’t understood the need for intercession very well. It is also quite clear that we need more intercession. There are no “ministries of intercession”, as if only a few are called to this. No, the fact is that everyone is called to intercede. If we are short on time then we can allow the Holy Spirit to intercede through us. It is a partnership. It is not either or, it is both and. We are all called to meet with the Lord and discuss the things on the earth. We are all called to pray in the Spirit.
I will close with an excerpt from a previous blog in case there is someone who would like to learn to pray in the Spirit.
Now, out loud to Jesus, confess your sins. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for help to not fall into these sins again. Take your time on this, there is no rush. We all need to do this from time to time, it is helpful to take time with the Lord in prayer everyday.
Lets pray this prayer out loud together. Lord Jesus, come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I ask for your forgiveness in those things that I have done wrong. I ask for your mercy over me for my ignorance and hard heartedness. I pray for your blood to wash over me, cleansing me and covering me as a redeemed child of the Most High God. You are Lord over my life. Holy Spirit I invite you to come into my heart and into my life. I receive your power and your glory as a child of the Living God. I ask for you to be my comforter, my advocate, my defense attorney, and my friend. I pray for your presence and your fellowship. I pray for your power to be activated in me, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Now sit back and relax. Take a few deep breaths. It is time for you to open your mouth and breathe. Move your mouth, move your jaw up and down. Make a vocal sound from your throat while you breathe and move your mouth. Now move your tongue. Do not be concerned as to what it sounds like, simply move your tongue as you breathe, and move your mouth open and closed. Now move your lips to formulate words. Change the way you move your lips. Change your lips as if you are conversing with someone. You have never heard these words before, just keep moving your lips, tongue, throat, and mouth. Keep going, push the sounds out and make something that sounds like words. You keep doing your part, and the Holy Spirit will intercede through you. You can stop at any time. You can start at any time. You are in control of the mechanics, the Holy Spirit is in charge of the content. Your mind has no knowledge of what is being said. Keep speaking. Keep breathing. Relax and keep going. Stop and start at will. You are praying perfectly, speaking the wonderful works of God. You are magnifying God. You may have noticed that you can read this while you pray in the Spirit. Good, that is what should happen. Your mind can be aware of other things while your mouth speaks.
Now speak softly, breathe and relax. Now speak loudly (if you can without disturbing anyone). Change the volume. Now speak faster, change the speed. Now slow. Loud. Soft. You are in control of the mechanics, the Holy Spirit is in charge of the intercession. Now, if you can, get up and walk around, and keep speaking. Sit down and keep speaking. Close your eyes, open your eyes, loud, soft, fast, slow. Sometimes it may seem the language you are speaking changes, that is good, it is another language for the Holy Spirit to intercede with, a tongue of men or of angels. Keep speaking. Now sing. Don’t worry about the tune, don’t worry about your ability, just sing in unacquired languages, perfect prayer, praying in the Spirit in song. Now pick a tune you know and sing in the Spirit to that song. Wonderful. You are building yourself up. You are speaking divine secrets that only the Godhead knows. You are being strengthened as a child of the Most High God.
The Holy Spirit is joined with your spirit, you are praying in the spirit. Jesus knows your heart, the Father hears the petitions. Pray in your prayer languages often. You are utilizing the dunamis that you have been clothed in. The more you pray in the spirit, the more natural it will become for you. The Holy Spirit is bearing witness with your spirit that you are a joint heir with Christ. Now you can start building upon your fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
