La Intercesión Efectiva | Pastor Juan Carlos Harrigan

Understanding Intercession in Luke 11:5-9

The Parable of the Persistent Friend

• The speaker introduces Luke 11:5-9, discussing a parable about a man who seeks bread from a friend at midnight due to an unexpected visitor.

• The friend's initial refusal highlights human reluctance; however, persistence leads to the friend eventually providing what is needed due to the man's insistence.

• Emphasizing the power of persistence, the speaker notes that through determination, one can receive not just basic needs but everything required from God.

The Importance of Intercession

• The discussion shifts to intercession—praying on behalf of others—and its significance in releasing God's power.

• The man seeking bread symbolizes those who recognize where their needs can be met and have faith in God's provision.

• Knowledge of God's resources is crucial; without it, individuals may find themselves lacking and begging for what they could obtain through faith.

Characteristics of Effective Intercession

• Jesus illustrates that sometimes help comes not because of friendship but due to one's urgent need or "inoportuno" nature—acting outside expected times.

• This urgency reflects true intercessory prayer, which focuses on others rather than oneself.

Definition and Power of Intercession

• In Hebrew, "intercede" (paga) means "to hit the mark," indicating that effective prayer directs God's power precisely where it's needed.

• When someone intercedes, they channel divine energy towards specific needs rather than generating it themselves; this requires guidance from the Holy Spirit.

Practical Implications of Interceding for Others

• Interceding involves standing between God and those in need—like a priest—offering mercy even when they may not deserve it.

• True intercession often requires sacrificing personal desires for the benefit of others' well-being and blessings from God.

• In challenging times, there’s a scarcity of resources on effective prayer practices; historical evidence shows how powerful intercessors have transformed communities through their prayers.

Understanding Intercession and God's Resources

The Importance of Knowledge in Prayer

• The man seeking bread symbolizes the need for revelation about God's resources; without knowledge of God's will, one cannot enjoy His provisions.

• Lack of understanding leads to misconceptions about God’s intentions, such as believing illness is His will instead of recognizing healing through Christ's sacrifice.

• Knowing who holds the resources (God) is crucial for accessing them; ignorance prevents enjoyment of what God desires for us.

The Act of Intercession

• The man seeks bread not for himself but for a friend, illustrating true intercession—praying on behalf of others.

• Persistence in prayer reflects confidence in God’s promises; knowing one's rights encourages continued requests even when immediate answers are absent.

• Jesus emphasizes persistent prayer through the parable of the widow and the unjust judge, highlighting that relentless prayer can lead to justice.

Seeking and Finding

• One must actively seek what they desire from God; those who pursue earnestly will find what they are looking for.

• The act of searching implies a willingness to engage with God’s presence; if one does not seek, they will not discover it.

Interceding for Others

• True intercession focuses on others' needs rather than personal desires; it involves reaching out to help those who are hungry or in need.

• Biblical figures known for their intercessory prayers achieved remarkable spiritual heights, demonstrating God's trust in those who advocate for others.

Spiritual Growth Through Intercession

• Individuals willing to invest time in praying for others gain spiritual authority and blessings from God.

• Abraham exemplifies an intercessor by pleading with God to spare Sodom despite its wickedness, showing compassion over judgment.

Challenges in Modern Intercession

• Today's society often criticizes rather than prays; true intercessors uplift rather than condemn others before God.

• Evangelist Moody attributed his success in saving souls to a dedicated team praying fervently for sinners, emphasizing the power of collective intercession.

Intercession and Compassion in Biblical Figures

Abraham's Role as an Intercessor

• Abraham is portrayed not just as the father of faith but also as a compassionate intercessor who prays for others without expecting anything in return.

• His intercession for Sodom highlights his desire to prevent judgment on the people, showcasing his deep compassion and concern for their well-being.

Moses: The Great Intercessor

• Moses is introduced as another significant figure known for his intercessory prayers, often pleading with God on behalf of the Israelites who deserved judgment.

• He successfully persuades God to change His mind about punishing the people, demonstrating the power of a heartfelt plea from a righteous man.

The Power of Intercession

• The narrative emphasizes that true intercessors can mitigate God's anger and invoke mercy through their prayers, exemplified by Moses' actions.

• In Numbers 14:11-12, God expresses frustration with the Israelites, but Moses intervenes by reminding God of His attributes like mercy and patience.

Moses' Plea for Mercy

• Moses appeals to God's reputation among nations, arguing that if He destroys Israel, it would reflect poorly on His ability to lead them out of Egypt.

• He requests forgiveness based on God's past mercies towards Israel since their exodus from Egypt, showing how intercession can influence divine decisions.

Consequences of Sin and Divine Response

• The Israelites recognize their sins against both God and Moses; they seek his help after suffering consequences due to their actions.

• Despite being wronged by them, Moses prays for the people when they are afflicted by serpents as a result of their disobedience.

Spiritual Maturity Through Forgiveness

• True spiritual maturity involves blessing those who have wronged you; this principle is illustrated through Moses’ willingness to pray for those who spoke ill of him.

• God's response to Moses' prayer includes instructions to create a bronze serpent symbolizing salvation through Christ—a powerful metaphor linking sin's consequences with redemption.

Intercession and Healing: The Power of Looking Up

The Role of the Intercessor

• The intercessor is depicted as someone who receives deep revelations from God, providing strategies and solutions for the people.

• A biblical reference is made to the bronze serpent lifted in the desert, paralleling Christ's elevation for healing those who look upon Him.

• Jesus emphasizes His mission to give life, contrasting with the destructive nature of sin that leads to death and suffering.

The Act of Looking

• Healing occurs when individuals focus their eyes on God's word; this connection releases divine power to cleanse them from afflictions.

• Imagery is used to describe a line of sick individuals seeking healing by looking at Jesus, highlighting faith in action.

• Those afflicted were encouraged to lift their heads and look towards the bronze serpent for healing, symbolizing faith's role in salvation.

Faith and Divine Intervention

• Where one places their focus determines the power released into their lives; looking towards God brings illumination and healing.

• Reference is made to Aaron as an intercessor during a plague among the Israelites, illustrating his role in mediating between God and the people.

Intercession Amidst Judgment

• During a time of judgment due to sin, Moses instructs Aaron to offer incense as an act of intercession for those affected by a deadly plague.

• Aaron’s quick response in offering incense symbolizes urgent prayer that can halt divine judgment against sin.

The Impact of Prayerful Intercession

• Aaron stands between life and death through his prayers, demonstrating how intercession can change outcomes even amidst dire circumstances.

• Emphasis on personal responsibility in prayer; believers are encouraged not just to criticize but actively pray for others' transformation.

• The narrative concludes with a call for believers to rise up in prayerful intercession for families and communities, emphasizing its potential impact.

Intercession and Its Power

The Role of Intercessors

• The speaker expresses a deep commitment to intercession, emphasizing the importance of standing in the gap for others to prevent divine judgment.

• They highlight that intercessors possess compassion and should actively pray for those they criticize, particularly focusing on the current generation's need for prayer.

• Criticism is discouraged; instead, the speaker urges individuals to dedicate time to pray for others rather than judge them harshly.

Biblical Examples of Intercession

• The speaker references Samuel as an intercessor who prayed for a people that were not his own, illustrating the selfless nature of true intercession.

• Samuel reassures the people that despite their sins, they should continue serving God wholeheartedly while he intercedes on their behalf.

• David is presented as another significant intercessor who acted swiftly to stop a plague by building an altar and offering sacrifices after recognizing God's anger.

The Impact of Intercession

• David’s actions led to God hearing his plea and stopping a devastating plague in Israel, showcasing how powerful an intercessor's prayers can be.

• The narrative emphasizes that an intercessor can influence God’s decisions regarding judgment and mercy through earnest prayer.

Scriptural Foundations of Intercession

• Reference is made to Ezekiel 22:30–31, where God laments not finding anyone to stand in the gap, leading to His wrath being poured out due to lack of intercession.

• This highlights the critical role of an intercessor in averting divine judgment and underscores the necessity for individuals willing to pray fervently.

Jesus Christ as Our Intercessor

• Jesus is identified as the ultimate intercessor who advocates for humanity before God, emphasizing His eternal role beyond earthly miracles (Romans 8:34).

• The concept of intercession transcends time; it represents a spiritual level where Jesus continually prays for believers' needs.

The Holy Spirit's Role in Intercession

• Believers are reminded that alongside Jesus, the Holy Spirit also assists in our weaknesses by praying on our behalf with groans too deep for words (Romans 8:26–27).

• This dual support from both Christ and the Holy Spirit illustrates a profound network of divine assistance available during prayer.

Intercession: The Power of Prayer

The Role of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in Intercession

• Jesus acts as our intercessor before God, praying continuously for us. He emphasizes that through Him, we can perform great works.

• The Holy Spirit also intercedes on our behalf, bringing our needs to the Father when we fall short or sin.

• Both Jesus and the Holy Spirit work together in intercession, highlighting their roles in advocating for humanity.

Importance of Intercessory Prayer

• Effective ministries are those that pray for their generation, seeking God's mercy for others rather than just themselves.

• Spiritual warfare is necessary to combat spiritual blindness caused by greed and ambition; prayer is essential for liberation.

• Those who intercede have heightened awareness of spiritual matters and can discern God's plans to intervene effectively.

Characteristics of an Intercessor

• An intercessor is uniquely authorized by God to bring solutions to those in need; they must genuinely care about others' struggles.

• God empowers those who show compassion towards the needy; true intercession requires a heart aligned with helping others.

The Purpose of Divine Anointing

• Anointing from God is intended not for personal gain but to liberate others from darkness and lead them into light.

• Understanding this principle is crucial; fasting and prayer alone do not grant authority unless one seeks to help others.

Seeking Solutions Through Intercession

• When Moses prayed for his people, God revealed how to heal them, demonstrating that solutions come through selfless prayer.

• Many seek personal solutions instead of focusing on communal needs; true leadership involves praying for others’ well-being first.

Conclusion: The Call to Action

• To experience divine intervention in personal issues, one must first pray earnestly for family and community needs.

• By prioritizing intercessory prayer, individuals will receive wisdom and understanding from God regarding their challenges.