#20 Intercession as a Spiritual Gift

C. Peter Wagner shares with us that "Intercession is not one of the 25 spiritual gifts mentioned specifically as gifts in the New Testament.

But, like the gift of exorcism, I believe it should be added to the list.

When I talk about this to pastors, they almost invariably tell me that in their congregations are certain people whom they and others openly recognize as having a special prayer ministry, over and above that of the average person.

This is an early clue that they might have the gift of intercession.

Here is my definition of the gift of intercession:

  The gift of intercession is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis and see frequent and specific answers to their prayers to a degree much greater than that which is expected of the average Christian.

Those with the gift of intercession:

• Pray longer. One hour a day is the minimum I have found; more frequently they pray two to five hours a day.
• Pray with more intensity.
• Enjoy prayer more and receive more personal satisfaction from their prayer times.
• See more frequent and dramatic answers to their prayers.
• Are acutely aware of hearing quite clearly from God. Many have an accompanying gift of prophecy.

How many members of an average congregation have the gift of intercession?

The answer to this question is not fully known.

Undoubtedly, further research may turn up some significant variables.

Certain denominations or theological traditions may have more active intercessors than others.

I say 'active' because I am convinced there are many people with the gift of intercession out there in our churches who have not yet discovered their gift or started to use it effectively because their church environment is not conducive to releasing this gift.

One of my prayers is that God will use this book to help change the environment so that multitudes of churches across denominational lives will aggressively encourage the ministry of intercession on all levels."

Today’s post -##20  Intercession as a spiritual Gift, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 48-50) By Regal Books

The next post: 8/24 from Wagner’s book is, #21 Women as Intercessors

Let’s pray: Father, some of us recognize this "gift" working in us. Help us be faithful to follow Your guidance in exercising it for the benefit of those around us, especially for fellow believers. 

Hopefully, others will now see that they too, have this gift, and will be more willing to pray. We ask this in Jesus' Name, amen.

 Today’s Bible verse Prov. 2:10-11 "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul: Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee."

Today’s quotes: Max Lucado – “If God is able to place the stars in their sockets and suspend the sky like a curtain—do you think it remotely possible God is able to guide your life? Could it be He is mighty enough to light your path?

Jesus said, “Look at the birds in the air. They don’t plant or harvest or store into barns, but your heavenly Father feeds them. Why do you worry about clothes?” Matthew 6:26. The next time a sunrise steals your breath, say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you!”

Martin Wiles - Never assume you can handle all of life’s situations on your own. Keep in touch with the One who sees not only the present but also the future.

Some thoughts today: Who do people think you are? Where's your identity? How firm is your identity with God?

- We are born again into the Holy Nation of believers in Christ.

- We are priests and we can go between God and the world.

Tomorrow’s post: How to Stay Young  Mary Southerland

A popular post:    Oh No, She's Awake! "What we feared as a weakness, an obstacle to overcome, was, in reality, a great strength and part of the Master’s plan." [Another message by Mary Southerland]

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                   #31  My Heart Goes 

                      Out to You, My Dear

"My heart goes out to you, my dear

As you will look ahead.

Some things may cause you now to fear

But please trust God instead."

 

Intercessioin Is a Spiritual Gift

 

C. Peter Wagner shares with us that "Intercession is not one of the 25 spiritual gifts mentioned specifically as gifts in the New Testament.

But, like the gift of exorcism, I believe it should be added to the list.

When I talk about this to pastors, they almost invariably tell me that in their congregations are certain people whom they and others openly recognize as having a special prayer ministry, over and above that of the average person. (Google image)

#22 The Office of Intercessor

C. Peter Wagner tells us in his book, PRAYER SHIELD, "An office in a church goes beyond simply a gift.

My understanding of 'office' is a public recognition by the Body of Christ that a certain member has a particular spiritual gift and is released to use that gift in regular ministry.

This is the foundationial principle of what we know as ordination to the ministry.

Conferring an office takes several different forms, anywhere from the public ordination service of a person who will subsequently use the title 'Reverend' and receive certain privileges from the denomination and the Internal Revenue Service, to the naming of a person to be a fifth grade Sunday School teacher.

Sometimes the person in the office is reimbursed, sometimes the service is voluntary. Either way it has an official recognition.

My suggestion is that churches do something that not many are now doing; Establish an explicit office of intercessor, and give public recognition to those who have the gift of intercession.

We do it for those with gift of pastor, evangelist, and teacher. We do it with the gift of mercy (such as minister of visitation), the gift of service (such as deacon or deaconess), the gift of exhortation (such as minister of counseling) and many more.

I think we should add intercessor to the list.

I am observing that as a part of the great prayer movement now sweeping our nation we are seeing more and more congregations taking intercessors and the office of intercession more seriously than in the past.

Some have added a full-time staff member with the title of pastor of prayer or minister of intercession or some other designation.

We need to be sensitive to the fact that not every individual with the gift of intercession will accept the office.

That is because with the public recognition comes a higher level of responsibility, accountability and therefore commitment. Some do not desire this. 

Also, intercessors will be the first to know that in the office they will be subject to a higher intensity of spiritual attack.

It is risky to say, 'Yes, I have the spiritual gift of intercession and I am prepared to hold myself accountable to the Body of Christ for its use in ministry.'

But some are willing to take the risk, and as a result awesome new spiritual
power is being released in churches and communities across the country."

Today’s post - #22 The Office of Intercessor, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 51-53) By Regal Books

The next post- 10/1 from Wagner’s book, is #23 Ministries of Intercession

Pray with me: 

     Father, may our hearts be touched by this message and challenge. Open our eyes to the need to be intercessors, whether in an official office, or as a helper in interceding for our churches. In Jesus' holy Name we pray, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 

Titus:3:5 KJV "Not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Today’s quote: 

- Lynn Karlsen – “When I discover my thoughts are not in line with Scripture, I have to wonder who’s wrong. God doesn’t change. Anything He is, He always has been and will continue to be. He remains true to His character. It is God who restores me to who and what I should be. The good news is He is a loving shepherd who pursues us when we veer off course. The LORD is our gentle, guiding shepherd.”

Some thoughts today: 

- You have everything to do with your future. You'll have opportunities to become bitter or to become better.

- God has to change us inside before we can do something for the kingdom. 

- If you're a born-again Christian, you are anointed to forgive, as Christ lives in you.

Saturday's post: A Mother's Plea  Linda Hill

Sunday's post:  10 Myths About Introverts  Carl King

A popular post: 

#9 Prayer and Revival (Dr. R. A. Torrey) "Humanly speaking the Church of Jesus Christ owes its very existence today to revivals."

Jesus has removed the barriers!

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Granny’s Guide to Marriage in Verse, for women contemplating marriage, as well as good advice for married women.  

From My Personal Testimony in my book:

#13 I'm Thankful God

Plans to Use Me

"I'm thankful God plans to use me

Although the way's been rough..

With stubborn will I couldn't see
I'd made the way so tough."

  
 

#86 The Gift of Intercession

C. Peter Wagner shares with us from 
his book, PRAYER SHIELD: When God 
calls members of His   family to a certain 
task or ministry, He provides them 
with the supernatural gifting to 
accomplish it according to His will.

For those He has called to the upper step 
or into the throne room as intercessors, 
(see #85  A Profile of Personal 
Intercessors, He has provided what I like
 to call the spiritual gift of intercession.

I described this concept in detail in chapter 2, indicating there that those with the gift of intercession ordinarily pray from two to five hours a day. (see my post, Intercession as a Spiritual Gift.

The only exceptions I have found are working mothers with young families who would pray more that two hours if they could, but truly cannot carve the time out of their schedules.

Even so, they rarely let a day go by without praying at least one hour.

I was comforted not too long ago when I learned I was not the first to suggest something we can regard as a legitimate spiritual gift of intercession.

None other than St. John Chrysostom 
of the fourth century saw it also.

In his commentary on Romans he mentions the gifts of prophecy, miracles, tongues, and then says, "There was also a gift of prayer...and he who had this prayed for all the people."

He said that those who had the gift were known by much interceding to God, many mental groanings, falling before God, and "asking the things that were profitable for all."

The two chief characteristics I have seen of those with the gift of intercession is that they love to pray and they see the results of their intercession.

Spiritual gifts frequently come in mixes, and certain pairings of gifts are very common such as pastor and teacher.

Many of those I know with the gift of intercession also have been given spiritual gifts of prophecy (including what some call "word of knowledge" and discernment of spirits. 

Whether this is true across the board I do not know, although i would not be surprised if it is.

#86 The Gift of Intercession, in the 

series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s 

book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to 

intercede for pastors, Christian leaders 

and others on the spiritual frontlines. 

(pgs. 163-164) by Regal Books

Let’s pray:

   Father, it looks as if our responsibility to pray for our pastors and leaders is yet more defined for us.

   I want to serve them, and You, so ask that You inspire me to uphold them each day.

   I know that my individual prayers are effective, when I am in good standing with You, so help me keep strong in my faith, please.

   I understand that reading the Bible is the best way to stay strong in my faith, as well as attending a Bible-preaching church.

   May we seek out such a church, if we don't now attend one. I ask this all in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Matt. 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.."

Today’s quote: Gwen Smith – “Friend, we need to turn away from our broken cisterns and turn toward the springs of living water. From stagnant waters to the Living Water. The Bible tells us that confession is the path to the spring of living water. When we eliminate the things that clutter our faith – the broken things we trust in – and place our faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, God’s heart swells with mercy, compassion and grace toward us. He forgives and strengthens us.”

Some thoughts today: When we read and hear God's Word, He can then bring it to mind, whether we're journaling, speaking, or praying.

- God calls us to lay some things down, which aren't part of what He intends for us.

- Will you be obedient to God, and not let material things seem more important to you than Him?

- Will you let what others say seem to be more important to you?

24th- Saturday’s post:  Encouragement Matters!  Cathy Baker

25th- Sunday's post:  Shout HALLELUJAH!  Dave Roper

25th- evening's post:  Christ in the Storm  David McCasland

27th- Tuesday's post:  #87  Close Relationship with God  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post: Crisis Always Reveal Character  “Those who have loss of character make a choice.” –Cindy Kasper  “It isn’t the tranquil and placid seas that bring out the sailor’s skill; It’s the wind and waves that pound his ship and toss it about at will. --Ritter 

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#19 Intercession as a Christian Role

C. Peter Wagner tells us, "Intercession, as I have mentioned, [in his book, PRAYER SHIELD], is only one kind of prayer.

But it is so important that Jesus Himself is described as an intercessor. Jesus Christ, at the right hand of God, "also makes intercession for us" (Rom. 8:34).

Likewise, the Holy Spirit "makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Rom. 8:27).

The Father, of course, is not mentioned as an intercessor because He is the One to whom the intercession is made.

On the human level, Paul characterizes himself as an intercessor when he says to the Romans, "Without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers" (Rom. 1:9).

Before developing the idea of intercession as a spiritual gift, I want to make it clear that intercession is a role expected of every faithful Christian.

In fact, I do not know of any Christian brother or sister who does not, on a fairly regular basis, pray for others.

Paul says to Timothy: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men"  (1 Tim. 2:1).

James says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James. 5:16).

Not only should every one of us be interceding for others, but most of us undoubtedly should be doing it much more than we are.

If I am honest, I will have to admit that although I do intercede for others, I do not intercede enough. I need to intercede more for my spouse, my children, my extended family, my colleagues in ministry, my pastor and my friends, both saved and unsaved.

At a bare minimum, a decent Christian life should be characterized by at least one designated time each day for prayer, including intercession.

How long this daily time should be I will discuss later on. Here my point is simply that the rule is not just for some Christians but for all of them.

Intercession is a universal christian role."

Today’s post -

#19  Intercession as a Christian Role, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pp. 47, 48) By Regal Books

The next post-from Wagner’s book, is on 8/22 #20 Intercession as a Spiritual Gift

Let’s pray: 

   Father, it is true, we are lacking in our perseverance in praying for others. We ask that You impress us of the need to be more diligent to support those in need, especially our leaders, family members, and friends. Awaken us to what is on Your heart, and help us pray effectively and fervently. We pray this in the Lovely Name of Jesus, amen.

Today’s Bible verse:

(Prov. 4:7) "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding."

Today’s quote: 

Joseph Prince - "Grace is greater than sin."

Some thoughts today: 

The life and testimony of a "Christian" can draw or repel 
unbelievers!

- Your identity doesn't depend on your job. It depends on your relationship with Christ.

-God has chosen you!

Tomorrow’s post: 

Rowing in the Right Order  Jill Savage

A popular post:   

#8 Prayer Will Save Others  [Dr. R. A. Torrey] "God here tells us that prayer will not only bring blessing to the one who prays but that it will bring the greatest of all blessings, even the blessing of eternal life, to others, to those for whom we pray."

There is comfort in friendships.

   

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Granny’s Guide to Marriage inVerse  

  From My Personal Testimony

page 90, 

#5  I Gleaned from Others

Day by Day

"I gleaned from others day by day

And found that I desired

To live for God in every way

As my faith was inspired."

#26 Discovering Your Gift of Intercession

 

C. Peter Wagner shares with us that "Many at this point will be asking, 'I wonder if I might have  the gift of intercession?'

If you do have it, remember that it is only because God has graciously chosen to give it to you.

It is not one of those skills such as ballet dancing or playing baseball that you acquire through hard work and persistence. (Google image, Praying with children)

#64 The Gift of Intercession

C. Peter Wagner continues telling us about intercession, with today's message on The Gift of Intercession:

"Not all of our intercessors have the gift of intercession, although I think God has chosen to allow us the privilege of a rather high percentage of those with the gift for reasons I will mention later.

Of our 18 1-2 intercessors, [he then lists them], 10 have been recognized as having a gift of intercession.

Doris and I consider the eight who do not have the gift of intercession as essential and precious to ourselves and our ministry as those who do.

Some who do not have the gift are actually more committed to supporting us day in and day out than some who do.

The center and guards are no less important on a football team than the running backs and the ends. It takes the whole group as a team to win.

Because this kind of language is relatively new to our Christian community in general, the process of absorbing its implications takes time.

Pam Marhad is a key member of our team. But she had to work through her role as an 1-2 intercessor as one who does not have a spiritual gift of intercession.

She wrote about her experience in Body Life, our Sunday School class monthly newsletter. 

She said, "More often than not, when I decide I will pray for certain people or situations, a feeling of frustration and 'what's the use?' overcomes my good intentions and defeats me."

As she prayed about it, Pam felt the Lord took her to the parable of the talents in Matthew 25.

There it is clear that God is the one who decides who gets what talents and how many. 

[Check out my post of Peter's message on this subject: #15  God Selects the Gifts]. 

When she saw that, she confessed, "I've been guilty of looking around and saying in my heart, 'Lord, I'm just a one-talent prayer.' Others You have made five-talent pray-ers —let them pray. My prayers probably don't matter."   

Then Pam rightly concludes that all God expects of her is to use the resources He has given her, nothing more, nothing less. 

"As I'm faithful and obedient to use what He's given,' Pam says, 'then He's free to give me more if He chooses. If I don't value His gifts to me and neglect them because they don't measure up to what I see others doing, then I very effectively tie the Lord's hands in my life and find myself on the outside looking in with envy and resentment."

It could not be said better.

As I write this (possible because I am writing this book), a note just received from Bobbye Byerly says, 'Peter, you are coming up No. 1 in my prayer discharge right now. It's nothing I've done or failed to do. Nothing you've done. I would guess that God is orchestrating a new realm of prayer support for you at this time."

#64  The Gift of Intercession, in the 

series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s 

book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to 

intercede for pastors, Christian leaders 

and others on the spiritual frontlines.

(pgs. 127-129)  by Regal Books

Let’s pray:

   Father, when we understand that our prayers are important to You, and to those we're praying for, help us be faithful to pray.

   I know that You've given me gifts, and I claim them now, asking that You'll help me recognize what they are, and how You want me to walk in them.

   My desire is to please You, and to be effective in what You've called me to be active in, and not compare my gifts with others around me.

   I ask these things in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Deu. 4:7 "For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Today’s quote: Joel T. Barnaby – "The church is full of men who have been well-nursed in the bosom of the Church, but never fathered by the ministry of a "Paul" type figure. Many leaders in the Church have enjoyed the process of spiritual conception; few have ever taken the responsibility of being a true father. We need more Father's in the Church who will "travail until Christ be formed" by covenant relationships."

Some thoughts today: You may think you're too old, but there are dreams and visions yet. Go after them, and ask the Father to supply what you'll need to see them come to reality. As God waits on us, do something! You are coming into the time of provision—rest in it.

- Are you willing to risk obeying God's leadership? 

- We need each other, as there are times we are in error, and others can speak into our lives with truth, to help us make changes that are needed to learn how to walk with God more effectively. 

22nd- Saturday’s post:  Are We Failing?  Tammie Johnson

23rd- Sunday's post:  God's Armor  Dr. Charles Stanley

    Sunday evening's post:  What Happens When We Say "Yes" to God?  Jean Oathout  (My impressions on a ladies retreat)

25th- Tuesday's post:  #65  Feeling the Wind of the Spirit  C. Peter Wagner

A popular post:   The Church, God’s Womb Upon the Earth: Prayer Note #91  Dutch Sheets shares with us,  “Whether through speaking, touching, laying hands on the sick, declaration or worship, when God’s power starts flowing upon the earth, it is flowing through human vessels."

Yep, it's almost time again!

(Google images added)

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