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) 

Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:34) 

 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. . .. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. . ..15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. . .. 20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” (John 17:6,9,15,20,21) 

In my mind, the most amazing attribute of God, and the least discussed and taught, is the Intercession of God. How do we get into our hearts and minds that God is interceding on our behalf?  And yet, in light of the Gospel, why is it so amazing? During my years of ministry, I have been in countless meetings, studies, classes and heard many sermons, speeches and lectures. I also think of all the topics, ideas, and questions which were addressed. With this background, and a desire to understand the idea of the attribute of intercession, let me present this word picture. Our God is One, and He is presented to us as these individuals, Father, Son and Spirit. Each has Their own responsibilities which are for the desire of Them, as One. They have come together for a meeting. Around the One table, They bring up the subject of that meeting. Our question of that meeting is, What is the subject They are to discuss?

An interesting question, don’t you think? As we scoured the pages of Scripture and eavesdropped on a prayer from God in the Flesh, Jesus to His Father, knowing that the Spirit is involved in all joint encounters because they are One. We hear them talk about the believers and those who will become believers, all to the Glory of God. The discussion is about the lives of the believers and the eternal nature of their lives. The discussion looks to the time when all the believers and God, all of Him, are together forever.

From this prayer and the statements in Romans 8 concerning the intercession of both the Son, Jesus, and the Spirit. Now they are talking about the Will of God and the bringing together His Mind and our hearts. The desire is for our hearts and the mind of God to be the same. The intercession is for the process of God’s work in our lives to make this a fulfilled desire in each of the believers’ lives individually so that it can also be true collectively. This is the work of God in our salvation, as we are justified, sanctified and glorified. It is the work of the Father, the Son and the Spirit, for they are God. The Apostle Paul prays in confidence that this will happen, “I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6) He would also remind the Church of Ephesus, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

We are created in Christ Jesus. Here is one way that Jesus Himself says it is to happen. As Jesus came into the world, He is presented in the following way, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5) Now we, as God’s handiwork, are described by Jesus, “You are the light of the world. . .. let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

This is one area where the Son and the Spirit are interceding for us so that we may be about God’s Will in our lives. As you live your life as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, keep in mind that God is interceding on your behalf. He is our Intercessor.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block