As an intercessor, I have now come to the place in my life that I simply define an intercessor as one who is an instrument of God whether in prayer or by action for the sake of others, communities, nations or specific situations. This broad definition allows one to then explore the different aspects of intercession that exists. This is because there are aspects of intercession that go far beyond what people normally associate with intercession, which is to stand in the gap in prayer.

In scripture believers in Christ are said to be “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13) or “temples of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinth. 6:19). Indeed if we are these things then we are all called to be a means through whom the Holy Spirit intercedes according to the will of God.

I write the following based on revelation from scripture and through personal experiences, focused mainly on interpersonal relationships in the Body of Christ. An intercessor is a

“Bridge”

Intercession is when by the hand of God one acts as a bridge for the sake of others. This means that the intercessor is God’s instrument to help others either through prayers or by God inspired action to traverse or cross over to the next level or stage of their destiny.

Jonathan’s relationship with David was as such. Jonathan showed his love to David by standing up for David when his father was hateful towards David. Jonathan told David that his father was planning to kill him and devised a plan so that David could flee. As a result of this plan, Jonathan was God’s loving “bridge” to move David out of a deadly situation once and for all and onto a pathway where God protected him and preserved his life from Saul and other enemies.

When one feels they have served God and done everything they can do as a righteous child of God, but still feels defeated and discouraged in their life, God can send someone to them who serves as His Spiritual lifeline or “bridge” between them and God to help sustain them in their walk with God or their faith in Him so that they do not give up or backslide. The intercessor is also God’s bridge for the believer in Christ to move forward in faith as part of the sheepfold led by their faithful Shepherd, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

“Spiritual Mother and Midwife”

This form of intercession is when the LORD places the intercessor as a spiritual mother and midwife alongside someone who is a birther (their spiritual child) or is in the process of being God’s instrument to fulfil a project or “birth” a vision. This is in line with the birther’s destiny.

The Spiritual mother and midwife is first and foremost a trustworthy person who is chosen by the LORD to be alongside the birther (their spiritual child) during the process of conception to giving birth of the vision or project. God trusts them and reveals qualities within them to the birther that enables the birther to also trust them wholeheartedly. The relationship is such that the spiritual child willingly gives  as much information as the spiritual mother/midwife needs for effective intercessory prayer on their behalf.

As a feotus in the womb needs to be fed, checked and cared for, the intercessor acts as a spiritual mother to the birther, her spiritual child in her role as an educator, counselor and encourager throughout the process of “gestation” until the vision is birthed or the project is completed. The intercessor is also a spiritual midwife in the crucial time when the vision is about to be birthed or project is in its completion stage.

I think of a situation I was in some years ago when my spiritual child was about to fulfill a particular God given vision, but then suddenly confusion set it and she started to feel inadequate and discouraged in a major way. I was her spiritual mother, but at that crucial time, my spiritual midwifery skills had to manifest quickly. I could tell straight away that we needed a miracle from God so that she did not lose the vision. We needed God to intervene quickly to change the situation and also her perception of it. I advised her that we needed to go into serious fasting and praying, engage in praise and worship as we had never done during the “pregnancy”.  We did, and I personally reinforced my prayers on her behalf. The LORD intervened in a way we had never imagined and I give glory to God! Now many years later I keep in touch with her and observe with joy how that vision has grown from a seed to a “fruitful tree”, a great blessing to multitudes.

I know there are many Christians who do not consider themselves intercessors, but the Spirit of intercession (Holy Spirit as intercessor) operates in all our lives if indeed we have the Holy Spirit indwelling us.

^“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27 NIV)

Intercession is not a specific calling for specifically chosen people. It appears some people operate under the intercessory anointing more than others but this is only because that is how they feel led by God to live their lives and so become known by others as ‘intercessors’. All prophets are intercessors but not all intercessors (believers operating notably in that way) are prophets.

My prayer is that we would all make ourselves more available to God  for this type of ministry as it means we are truly serving as instruments for the advancement of the purposes of God through each other and therefore for the kingdom of God as a whole.

Click for a teaching on Intercessory Prayer “Three Types of Prayer Part III: Prayer is Intercession…- Knock & It Shall be Open unto You”

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther
©Deborah E.Nyamekye 16/12/2015

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