Leadership Strategies - by F. Joe Ellis

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

A thorough study of the bible, as well as church history, will prove that fervent intercessory prayer preceded every notable spiritual awakening throughout history. The reason for this is really very simple; that which is truly born of God must be an act of faith, birthed by the Spirit.

…That which is born of the flesh is flesh, but that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit!

Whenever the church, individually or collectively, becomes apathetic towards prayer and no longer makes intercession its first priority, it is a sure sign that the church is no longer focused on its God given mission.

Intellect and good organization alone are not capable of birthing the supernatural. It’s a God thing! Fervent, consistent prayer is the catalyst for everything spiritual! Whatever is not born of prayer, no matter how it may appear, is not born of God. If the church is truly the church, it must have the supernatural. “These signs shall follow them that believe,” Jesus said. (Mark 16:17)

Fervent prayer is the divine incubation of every spiritual potential and possibility. Without it, what could have been and should have been will only die. To sow the things that are born of the flesh will only produce that which is corruptible. If there is going to be a reaping of spiritual blessing and promise, that which is planted must have a spiritual beginning.

Before proceeding in this lesson, would you take a moment and personally reflect on the following questions?

These are all questions that I have personally been challenged by and earnestly prayed about over the past several years. At the core of every question however, is a glaring reality. The church is a God thing! Because of this, everything that is spiritual and supernatural flows out of fervent effectual prayer!

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

What a mandate from God! First of all prayer, supplications and intercession are made for all men! Did the apostle really say that? I fear that many churches are not actively engaged in the ministry of intercessory prayer even though God made HIS word so clear.

The ministry of intercession (to mediate) is the divine connection that empowers the word we preach. Intercession releases spiritual authority and dominion over the unclean spirit world. Both divine connection and spiritual authority are necessary.

The only thing that Satan fear’s more than an intercessor that knows their gift and uses it consistently, is an army of intercessors united around purpose and urgency.

A clear understanding of both purpose and urgency is key to any effective endeavor. No ministry in the church should feel more urgent to act than the intercessors. Intercessory prayer is not limited to just a few, it’s a God thing, and should be actively and aggressively employed in every church and in every harvest field in the world.

Intercessory prayer must not be the plan used when all else fails; but the first order of business before all spiritual planning!

It is this writer’s firm conviction that the ministry of intercession is the most neglected yet the most needed ministry of the last days. The church will never reach its potential harvest without an active, aggressive army of intercessors who are not afraid to engage in battle with the enemy. It is not the preparation for spiritual warfare; it is the actual battle itself.

In intercessory prayer, the intercessor is in perfect alignment and unity with God. God is literally praying through them. The intercessor simply becomes a channel or conduit for God to flow through. True intercessory prayer is a God thing!

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because HE maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

It has been said that the church was born out of a seven-day prayer meeting in the upper room at Jerusalem . While that is true, the process started long before. Before Jesus ever began HIS earthly ministry, HE spent forty days and nights in fasting and fervent prayer.

During HIS three and one half years of earthly ministry, the scriptures record that Jesus would go out early in the morning before dawn to pray. It is also recorded that at times HE would spend all night praying, which was the case before HE selected the twelve apostles. These biblical accounts are more than recorded history of the prayer life of Jesus. They reveal a powerful spiritual truth that the Twenty-First Century church desperately needs to understand and practice.

In the Kingdom of God , there is no substitute for fervent, daily prayer. The ultimate expression of our faith as Disciples of Christ is found in our commitment and consistency to prayer. As the body of Christ, the church must pray to effectively carry out HIS ministry and advance the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Jesus, as the Creator, understood both the natural and the Spiritual laws of the harvest. As the man Christ Jesus, HE knew HE was called to be the intercessor that would prevail over the powers of darkness and enable salvation to be available to all mankind. Jesus was not complacent in HIS responsibility, but knew that HE was called to be the intercessor that would break the strongholds of the enemy and enable the church to be born. Let me explain…

The deplorable condition of a backslidden

Israel

as recorded in Isaiah fifty-nine should be a warning to us all. As bad as their sinful condition was however, it seems that what shocked God the most was not their sin, but the fact that there was no man to intercede for the people and cry unto God for the restoration of Truth. Would you prayerfully consider a few more questions with me?

· Could it be that God is shocked at the church of this generation because there are very few men and women who are willing to be consistent in their commitment to be an intercessor?

This small writing is not an exhaustive study on the ministry of intercessory prayer. How ever I would like to offer a few key points that need to be understood to be an effective intercessor. When the ministry of intercession is not active in a local church or field of labor the following will prevail…

· The prayer rooms, pulpits and altars of our churches will be bound, making evangelism extremely difficult.

· The minds and hearts of people will become easily deceived by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils.

· Healings, miracles, baptisms and Holy Ghost infillings, will become the occasional exception and not the norm.

Unfortunately, each of us have already seen and experienced these things. Is this God’s will or is it the result of not heeding God’s warning by making prayer and intercession a “First of All” priority and plan in the church? I choose to believe the latter. But, I also believe that God is able to reverse the process just as quickly if the church will give itself to fervent prayer.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attend unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Jesus became the missing man and intercessor for the world that was destined to hell. As an intercessor, HE opened the door of salvation to whosoever will.

And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him…

…And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

· Jesus understood HIS calling as an intercessor and knew it was the only hope people had to be saved.

· HIS victory as an intercessor in the garden of Gethsemane enabled HIM to have victory at Calvary .

· HIS victory at Golgotha was the final battle that broke Satan’s power over everyone who believes.

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

· Intercessory prayer is the front lines of spiritual warfare to the Church. It invades the spirit world where humans cannot go and deals with life and death.

· The same burden that Jesus felt in the garden of Gethsemane is felt by the intercessor. From inside of the intercessor comes deep groaning and tears, the natural language being by-passed. This is HIS burden and the spiritual watering that is necessary for harvest.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed , shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

· In intercession, the Spirit of God is literally praying through the intercessor.

...but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

True intercession exceeds the boundaries of human compassion and reaches into the realm of Divine Love and Burden.

· Only when the Holy Spirit is praying through the intercessor is it possible to feel what Jesus felt when HE laid HIS life down to bring a Church into this world. The intercessor is able to feel HIS passionate love for lost humanity.

· The upper room at Pentecost became the spiritual birthing room where the First Century church was born.

· What a promise! As soon as the church travails (intercession), spiritual babies will be born.

· God created angels for the purpose of assisting HIM in carrying out HIS eternal plan.

· God has armies of angels divinely positioned and ready to minister for HIS Church. We are not waiting on God, God is waiting on us.

…Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle …Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.

…Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

The LORD is willing and ready to fight for the Church that will exercise their faith through the ministry of intercession.

To conclude this writing, I would like to share six final points to help you better understand and put into application the ministry of intercession.

1. Intercession is a specific calling that God gives to certain individuals in every local church or field of labor. While everyone can intercede in prayer, there are those HE has called specifically into a ministry of prayer. It is their primary gift.

2. The intensity, passion, and need to pray will at times consume the intercessor. With the gift comes a deep burden and passion to pray. The prayer closet becomes their most familiar place. The intercessor will not always know why they feel like they do, they just know they have to pray!

3. The intercessor will not always know or understand who or what they are praying about. Praying in our own language is often times our burden. Praying in the SPIRIT is God’s burden. Sometimes its Spirit-led language; other times it’s groanings that are too deep for words.

For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

4. When the intercessor is engaged in either warfare or travail, it’s not just emotion, but a deep sovereign work of the Spirit. Therefore, pure faith becomes your prayer partner. You are ONE with HIM and in perfect unity with God! Let the Holy Ghost pray until HE releases you.

5. Because of the physical intensity that often comes with intercession, you must not confuse this with your devotional prayer. Your physical body can not take continual intercession, any more than a woman could have a baby every day. It must be Spirit-led prayer. God will give you seasons of rest. Don’t be alarmed or feel you have failed!

· Let God choose the level of emotion HE wants you to pray with, as well as the intensity. True intercession is the Spirit of God praying through you. Therefore, God allows you to feel HIS burden and passion.

· It will not be something you have to force. Use wisdom. The anointing is always with you and is always ready to strengthen you when you are needed.

· When you come out of your prayer closet of intercession, come out with joy wearing a smile on your face. An unsaved world does not understand our burdened faces.

6. The intercessor must pray. There is no calling in the kingdom of God that Satan fears more, or God hears more!

Have you been called to be an Intercessor? Would you be willing and available to pray if HE would ask you too? If so, would you take time to tell HIM… right Now?