By Sidharth Mohandas
I have been dwelling on the topic of intercession for sometime. It has always brought me great encouragement to know that my prayers can affect the spiritual realm and bring changes into the lives of other people, our societies, our countries and even the world.
The Greek word for “Intercession” is “Enteuxis”, I came to realize that the original meaning of this word was “to meet with a person”. And this implies that in intercession we meet with the person [or Government, City, State, Country etc] at the point of their [it's] need.
This is not just an abstract or theory in my life, for I have experienced the power of intercession at varied levels. One such experience I had was in the University where I did my Engineering. This University was run by Hindus, and I remember that there was not even one person in the administration who was a Christian the time we joined. My friend and I used to go to the football ground early in the morning every day and for almost 4 years to intercede. We prayed for the students, for the faculty, for the administration and for various other needs during this time. Little did we know the impact our prayers would have. At the end of 4 years we realized that 4 or 5 sincere believers were appointed in the administration. I also came to know that the Registrar of the University was not only a believer but a preacher of the Word! From him I came to know that the University had more than 35 faculty who were believers. At the end of my 4 years, we also organized a crusade where we presented the Gospel to about 200 students of our University. While I was praying for the crusade work, I remember something that the Lord said that really stirred my heart. He said, “None of your prayers and fastings went unnoticed. I am using them all for the expansion of My Kingdom”. I was reminded of the days we prayed and fasted for revival in our College. Our prayers paved way for God’s activity among us and in the administration.
For the last many days the Lord has been asking me on how dedicated I am to my nation. A dear friend and pastor persuaded us to come together and intercede for various needs, especially for revival in the city, state and nation. As I was meditating on this subject, I was led to Daniel 6.
In this chapter a decree was signed that whoever prayed to anyone else other than King Darius would be put to death by being thrown into the lions den. But here’s Daniel’s response:
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. [Daniel 6:10]
What a standard Daniel sets for us in the ministry of intercession! He prayed three times a day for the restoration of the city of Jerusalem. Even when he was threatened to be killed, his focus was still Jerusalem!
We need to examine our prayer life and see how much we are contributing to the expansion of God’s Kingdom. Don’t you ever underestimate the power of intercessory prayer! This a powerful weapon that will cause the kingdom of darkness to retreat and pave way for the expansion of the kingdom of light.
Great encouragement. We are studying Daniel in our church at the moment and next Sunday have a day of prayer and fasting. Sometimes I think we don’t actually see the results of our prayers. We will have to wait for heaven.
I see two parts to this post…the first, your personal testimony is incredibly moving and inspirational. Somewhere (not sure where) I read that the two activities that Christians should focus most of their time on is spreading the Gospel and in intercessory prayer. Your post reminded me of that and reminded me to be more diligent in praying for others…thank you!
The second part, as I viewed your post, was the scriptural reference from Daniel. I write the following not in the spirit of disagreement, because it is quite possible that Daniel was praying for restoration. But, I want to share what came to me as I read this chapter in Daniel just a few days ago. (I’ve noticed that it is not uncommon to see posts here on passages I’ve recently read…I believe it is the Holy Spirit’s guidance.)
When I read Daniel 6, what was given to me was more a warning and an example. I think it is clear that the signs of the end of the age are increasing. In the times of trouble, we will see ourselves persecuted. The ruler of this world will want us to worship idols and I understood Darius’s ban on prayer to God or anyone but him a foreshadowing of the end times when we will face the mark of the beast and many of us will have to choose death to remain faithful. That is what Daniel did. He remained steadfast in prayer even knowing the earthly penalty would be death.
That is the beautiful thing about the Word of our Lord…it speaks to us on so many levels!
Your blog is a beautiful reflection of it, too. Thanks for your inspirational posts!
True, Mike . Only eternity will tell us how we have affected others and the world with our prayers.
I also find it interesting that the prayers we pray can be used by God many many years later.
Michael , It truly is amazing how deep God’s Word is. Prophetically as you said, it does imply that this was a foreshadow of the reign of Anti-Christ. And we find the foreshadow of the spirit of Anti-Christ starting with Egypt, then Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and then finally Rome.
But if you look at the actual scenario, Daniel was facing Jerusalem to pray for it.
~Sidharth
It is an amazing thing to think how the God of all can use little ole me to do His kingdom work. May we all surrender to Holy Spirit and let Him direct us in intercession. Any post that sends me to prayer is a good post. Thanks, Sid for this exhortation.