We all know that prayer is the best way to maintain an intimate connection with God. That’s why we strive for a consistent prayer life.
But many people are unsure of how to make their prayer life more meaningful beyond their own needs.
Around the world, there are people who are experiencing satisfying prayer lives. They have a strong desire to pray and a sense of purpose in prayer because they are committed to praying for others with the same passion and sincerity they use to pray for their own selves.
Similarly, you can experience the same fervor through intercessory prayer.
In fact, many of the most powerful people in the bible were intercessors. Like a surgeon with a knife, they could cut through the fabric of the supernatural to manifest change in the earth.
Today, we want to share with you some prayer strategies we used to experience a more meaningful prayer life through intercession. These are the same prayer strategies used by intercessors in the Bible. In other words, God honors these types of prayers.
Take a look below for ways to change your prayer life for good.
- Pray to Avert Death
- Pray to Suspend Judgement
- Pray to Bring Healing
- Pray to Open A Womb
- Pray to Free the Captive
1. Pray To Avert Death
[2Ki 4:32-33 KJV] 32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, [and] laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
To most of us, death seems final. But Jesus made it clear that He is the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25) A car accident, prolonged illness, or any other fatal circumstance, doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
There are many examples in the bible of people who prayed for the dead, and they dramatically came back to life. One instance is found in the book of 2 Kings.
When a Shunammite woman made friends with the prophet Elisha, she could not anticipate how God’s favor would manifest in her life. When the woman’s son contracted an illness and later died, she knew exactly where to turn. She left her husband and dead son and hastily traveled to speak with the prophet. After pleading for help, Elisha traveled to her home and found the boy laying on his bed. The prophet shut the door behind him, stretched himself over the child, and prayed to God. God heard his prayer and restored the child’s life!
2. Pray to Suspend Judgement
[Num 21:7 KJV] 7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people.
God is merciful and good. However, He is also a God of justice. The justice of God will not allow sin to go unpunished. Although God promises to correct every sinful act, we can pray for those who face punishment.
This is what made Moses notable. When the Israelites were on their way to the Promised Land, the length of the journey and harsh conditions frustrated them. They grumbled and complained against God, who in turn allowed a hoard of snakes to attack the people.
After many died of venomous snake bites, the people cried out in distress. Moses prayed for the people, and God answered and turned His judgment from them.
3. Pray to Bring Healing
[Num 12:13, 15 KJV] 13 And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech thee. … 15 And Miriam was shut out from the camp seven days: and the people journeyed not till Miriam was brought in [again].
Many believers are confused about God’s desire to heal the sick. But the Bible makes it clear that our healing is the will of God. (Exo 23:25)
Many people in the bible received healing, even though they seemed destined to die from an illness. Moses, the consummate intercessor, also prayed for healing.
After Moses and the children of Israel left Egypt, it wasn’t long before Moses’ sister Miriam criticized him harshly because he married an Ethiopian woman. But God heard her complaints. He withdrew His glory from her, and she was stricken with leprosy. Aaron was moved with compassion after seeing the horrible state of his sister. He asked Moses to intercede with God on her behalf.
Moses lifted a prayer to God. After spending several days outside the Israelite camp, Miriam was able to return, completely healed.
4. Pray to Open A Womb
Many newlyweds look forward to having children. Unfortunately, pregnancy isn’t the natural course of events for every couple. There are many families who wrestle with issues of infertility. Thankfully God has the power to cause a barren woman to conceive. This was the case for Abraham’s son Isaac.
When Isaac married his wife, he seemed to have found his happily ever after. But years into their marriage, the couple was without children. Scriptures say, “Isaac prayed to the LORD on behalf of his wife because she was childless. The LORD heard his prayer, and his wife Rebekah conceived.” [Gen 25:21 HCSB]
5. Pray to Free the Captive
[Act 12:5, 7 KJV] 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. … 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon [him], and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from [his] hands.
Our criminal justice system exists to uphold the law. However, there have been instances where people have been wrongly convicted. In the event justice is not served, we have an advocate with our Heavenly Father.
This was true for the Apostle Peter. Herod arrested him for the simple act of preaching the Gospel. On top of the unreasonable arrest, he sentenced Peter to death. But the church prayed for Peter. In dramatic fashion, God answered their prayers by miraculously sending an angel to open the prison door and escort the apostle to freedom.
These are only a handful of intercessory prayer strategies. Of course, the Bible is full of many more examples. If you’re willing to intercede for others, you’re certain to experience a more meaningful prayer life as you watch God work in extraordinary ways.
