One of the most prevalent roles of Christ discussed in the New Testament is that of intercessor. This term intercessor has come to be quite common in the church today, and every Believer is at one time or another exhorted to become one. This command seems to lead most often to gatherings of people (usually women) who come together to beg God for certain things on behalf of particular individuals.
I have recently found myself asking Holy Spirit some questions about this long-ingrained assumption.
After a little digging, I found that the ancient definition of the word intercession could be explained as follows:
To interpose a veto of a previous decision or judgment made over a person or situation.
So now we need to know what veto means.The definition is as follows: The power or authority to prevent action intended or mandated by a particular decision; the act thereof.
I fused this understanding with what Holy Spirit was stirring in me, and I came up with this definition of intercession.
To walk in a level of authority which empowers me, by direction of Holy Spirit, to veto or nullify past decisions or judgments decreed over a person or situation, and to begin to see that person or situation through the eyes of God, regardless of public opinion, long held tradition, or human emotion.
I have come to believe that the greatest form of intercession is having the heart of Yahweh become such a part of me that I begin to see as He sees. When I look at a person who is shackled by the mistakes of the past or tormented by the impossibility of the present, I have the ability to see as Yahweh sees, and to respond accordingly. I do not have to agree with the previous decisions or judgments made over that person by their enemies—be those enemies the devil, their family, their own mistakes, or whatever. I can discern the heart of the Father toward them, and with great authority, can begin to declare, by my words and my attitudes, His word over them. This gives them the opportunity for change.
Holy Spirit used my relationship with Ed to teach me this.
Many years ago, I spent much time interceding for him in the only way I knew how. I prayed everyday for God to save him, change him, fix our marriage, etc. In desperation, I even anointed his pillow once! Although my intentions were honorable and my passions deep, my efforts were futile. But Yahweh changed me, and I began to have eyes to see as Yahweh sees. I stopped begging God for what I thought I needed, and began releasing His word and His judgment into the situation. Immediately heaven and earth began to respond. The greatest thing I ever did for Ed or our children or myself was to see my husband like Yahweh sees Him—a generous man, a great man, a kingdom man. This prophetic seeing was intercession more powerful than my vocal yearnings could ever be!
Yahweh’s power is released when we release righteous judgment into a situation, be it in our own personal lives or in the affairs of men. When we observe a situation, we are not subject to the prattling of political analysts or the white paper resolutions of religious institutions. We are responsible to have a kingdom interpretation, and to be Yahweh’s voice in the earth.
Some time ago, on the evening news, there had been another catastrophe somewhere in the Middle East. Pictured was a group of people, mostly women, gathered in a public place. Their unified expressions of deep emotion reached a crescendo with fast, high-pitched trills and screeches. Although seeing them in that emotional state could certainly move one to compassion, their expostulations changed nothing, and they left that meeting only to return to a life of devastation and tragedy.
It reminded me of some prayer meetings I have been in, meetings that might have been described by some as intercession. There was a unified expression of deep emotion, becoming faster and louder, as if that somehow would better persuade God to fulfill the current wish list. More times than not, neither the “prayers” nor the “prayees” were changed.
Our intercession should have more to do with bringing the situation at hand in order and alignment with Yahweh’s desire than trying to convince a mean, angry, far-off God to do a little something for us. If we are led by His Spirit, His desires are our purposes, His judgments become our decrees, and we become intercessors in the truest sense of the word, bringing heaven and earth together in our lives and in the lives or those we touch.
May the true intercessors of Yahweh arise in this day, standing with our spiritual eyes wide open, cursing what our God has cursed, blessing what He has blessed, releasing His passion and authority and character, until the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD!