Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp

What is Intercession?

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03-10-2010

Num 33:50-53 50Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, 51"Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: 'When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52'then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; 53'you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess.(NKJ) Num 33:55-56 55'But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. 56'Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.' "(NKJ) When God has allotted a promise for you to possess, you will need to inherit that promise. Before one can inherit the promises of God for our lives, we must first dispossess the enemy that will try and keep us from accessing that promise. If God has promised you wealth then you must dispossess the enemy of greed! If God has promised you healing then you will have to dispossess the enemy of unbelief and sickness!! If God has promised you joy unspeakable and full of glory, you will have to dispossess sorrow!! If God has promised you salvation to your house you must dispossess the enemy that binds!! If you have been granted eternal life, you must dispossess everything that will try and take you off course and lay a hold of it. If you have been given a great promise for your destiny or anything pertaining to the rule of the kingdom and your family etc, you must dispossess the enemy and seize the promise, occupy it and inherit it! Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. (NIV) Heb 6:13-20 When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his own reputation on the line. He said, “I promise that I’ll bless you with everything I have— bless and bless and bless!” Abraham stuck it out and got everything that had been promised to him. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some authority above them so that if there is any question that they’ll make good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee—God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek. (Peterson, E. H. 2003. The Message : The Bible in contemporary language . NavPress: Colorado Springs, Colo.) 1Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. While forcefully advancing, dispossession is taking place. Once you have advanced, you must lay hold of your promise within The Kingdom, and never let go!! Our divine assignments involve doing battle or fighting through intercession and laying hold of what God has blessed us with. One of the most powerful ways to dispossess, forcefully advance and take hold of what is yours is through the power of prayerful intercession!! Destiny Harvest Centre Tell: 031 584 6065 Email: [email protected] Website: www.destiny.co.za

Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp

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Hebrews 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and he wondered that there was no intercessor; and his arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness, it sustained him. (Darby, J. N. 1996. The Holy Scriptures : A new translation from the original languages . Logos Research Systems: Oak Harbor)

Ezekiel 22:30-31 30And I sought for a man among them, that should build up the wall, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none. 31Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I brought upon their heads, saith the Lord Jehovah. (American Standard Version. 1995 . Logos Research Systems, Inc.: Oak Harbor, WA) The Hebrew word “paga” for “intercession” in the Bible refers to impinge (to strike or to hit something, to affect the limits of something especially a right or law, to cause some kind of [form of] restriction, to claim by violence if necessary), to claim by violent importunity (being troublesome, demanding or insistent, or to make repeated and insistent demands), to arrive with power (or to light or fall upon something with hostility) upon an enemy, to come or step in between two parties, to entreat (to beg God for something repeatedly), to encounter, to interpose (say something that interrupts what someone else is saying, to place yourself between two people, to interfere in a situation with the view of correcting a situation and transforming it to ultimate wholeness), to make attack, to reach the mark, or a desired goal, or to meet with. The Greek word “entuchano” for “intercession” involves to entreat (earnestly beg or ask God for something), to confer with (to talk to God in order to make a right decision), to light upon or hit upon something - particularly an enemy, to go and meet with God (or a person) with the purpose of consultation, conversation or supplication (a humble appeal or request to God who has the power to grant a request), to appeal to God, to make strong petitions to God. To plead with a person for, or against others, to pray earnestly. The Hebrew word for intercession (“Paga”) was often used in the context of doing battle for one’s inheritance. The extent of “paga” or intercession would determine the extent of a boundary of dominion and control. To the extent that the enemy was not taken on in battle or totally driven out of divinely imparted territory, they would again and repeatedly cause trouble. Once we have gained access to our rightful inheritance we have to keep and be an alert watchman over it. The Hebrew word for watchman (“shamar”) refers to the act of guarding, protecting, watching, keeping observation, preserving, saving, hedging about as with thorns, waiting and watching or keeping watch, being a watchman, being a sentry, keeping charge, heeding (listening), retaining, treasuring up, to be careful over, to be a doorkeeper or gatekeeper, reserving and to be on guard. 1 Tim 6:20 Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. 21 Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness. May God’s grace be with you all. (Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 . Tyndale House: Wheaton, Ill.) In order to wage an effective war and make intercession in the realm of the spirit, the help of the Holy Spirit is crucial!!

Destiny Harvest Centre Tell: 031 584 6065 Email: [email protected] Website: www.destiny.co.za

Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp

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Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Without the help, support, and influence of the Holy Spirit effective war in the spirit and intercession becomes futile. The word “helps” is a very powerful word. In order to understand His role as our Helper in this prayer essential, we need to study this word a little more in depth. The word “helps” in the Greek is a compound word of three words that is used to make one word. When the Holy Spirit was writing this book of Romans through Paul, He said: “I am going to be describing my role as a Helper for the believer and I need a word that would adequately describe this function.” He could not find one word in the entire Greek vocabulary to describe how wonderful His help would be. When you and I come to Romans 8:26 the Holy Spirit just made up His own word. This is the only time that this word is used in the New Testament. It is the Greek word sun/anti/lambano. These three words when compounded together spell soonantilambanati . One word was not sufficient enough to describe His activity as our Helper. In the English language this is a very small word, but in the Greek language it is a very long word. What the Holy Spirit is telling us is that there are three different things that He is going to do to help us: • • •

Sun – This word describes His position. Anti – This word describes His attitude Lambano – This word describes His desire and His objective.

1. Sun – This word is always used to describe partnership, or two people coming together to do one thing. Rather than doing a job on their own, it conveys the idea of partnership and cooperation. For example, if I took a Greek word ergos, which means a worker, it would describe a worker doing a job on his own. But if I attached this little Greek word sun then it becomes sunergos, which means co-workers i.e. two people working together. This little word also describes our relationship with God the Father over and over and over again. 2 Corinthians 6:1: We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. This phrase conveys the idea of partnership. Not just God doing all the work, but God and man working together. This word always describes position and relationship. Two are better than one. By using this little word sun the Holy Spirit is telling us that He does not want us to face our problems alone, or to face the enemy by ourselves. He is in this thing with us together. When we work He works, when we fight He fights, what we feel He feels. 2. Anti – Against – Not only does this word describe “against” but also the emotions and the attitude of the person against. In old Greek literature it conveys the idea of hatred, rage, and is descriptive of someone so against the object that they will do everything in their power to annihilate that object. It almost conveys the anger of a man that borders on insanity. In other words the person who is against is really against something. When the enemy comes against you His attitude is to join together with you and knock the devils head off. Destiny Harvest Centre Tell: 031 584 6065 Email: [email protected] Website: www.destiny.co.za

Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp

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3. Lambano – In its simplest form this word means to receive or to take something. It’s the same word used to describe Gods incarnation as man. God took the components of human flesh, put it under His power and clothed Himself with flesh. The word then became flesh. By using this word the Holy Spirit is telling us that He wants to reach out and grab a hold of something and do with it whatever He wants. His desire is to take a hold of the enemy that comes against you, put it under His power, and do to the enemy whatever He wants. The primary reason why the Holy Spirit comes to help us is because of our weaknesses. Some translations have put the word infirmities, but this is incorrect. He comes to help us in our weakness. In early writings this word described somebody who was so weak that they would begin to slip into a coma. The Spirit comes and helps us because of our weak comatose condition in the spiritual reality. In our flesh we are no match for the enemy, and we are like somebody in a coma. A person in a coma cannot respond, is very disabled and cannot think or plan. If the Holy Spirit does not help us we are unable and desperately need His help. We have to acknowledge that in our own strength we cannot do it. Romans 8:26 : Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered For we do not know – This Greek phrase could be translated “without the know how”. This supports the fact of our ignorance and comatose state in the spiritual reality if the Holy Spirit does not help us. In other words we don’t know how. Ought –dea – This is a very strong word in the Greek. It is always used to describe an obligation or something that must be fulfilled. The idea that is suggested is that we do not know how to pray as we are obliged to or as is necessary. In other words we do not know how to pray as a particular crisis would demand. No two problems are solved the same way. Intercession – This is one of the oldest words taken from the Greek in the New Testament. It means, together with the above: • • • •

To fall into a hole with somebody else. To meet another person in a common experience. To share their emotions and frustrations. To rescue somebody from danger.

What the Holy Spirit is telling us is that He climbs into the hole with you; He is very committed to you. He wants to share in the experience and feel what you feel. He wants to come and get you or the person that you are praying for out of the pit. Rom 8:27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. How does the Holy Spirit and a human being pray together? Do we pray in our natural language, or is there a heavenly, spiritual language? Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Destiny Harvest Centre Tell: 031 584 6065 Email: [email protected] Website: www.destiny.co.za

Notes – Compiled by Marc Bredenkamp

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Many scholars will tell you that this portion of scriptures is discussing the final part of a Roman soldiers armour, which is his lance. This verse describes what is known by Biblical Scholars as the “Lance of Intercesson”. This gives us the ability to strike the enemy from a distance, in the Spirit. 1 Cor 14:14-18 14 For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don’t understand what I am saying. 15 Well then, what shall I do? I will do both. I will pray in the spirit,* and I will pray in words I understand. I will sing in the spirit, and I will sing in words I understand. 16 For if you praise God only in the spirit, how can those who don’t understand you praise God along with you? How can they join you in giving thanks when they don’t understand what you are saying? 17 You will be giving thanks very nicely, no doubt, but it doesn’t help the other people present. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. (Holy Bible : New Living Translation. 1997 . Tyndale House: Wheaton, Ill.)

1 Cor 14:1-2 1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. (NKJ) 1 Cor 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. (NKJ) Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, One of the earliest manuscripts of the New Testament times, namely the “Didache” or “Teaching of the Twelve Apostles” (rediscovered 1873 at the Monastery of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem) advised all Christians to pray the Lord’s Prayer three times a day. Prayer and intercession is a lifestyle that will carry us through times of trouble and distress and will bring the Father on the scene every time we call on Him. Prayerful intercession for others is a clear unselfish act of a loving believer. You have to love others to practice prayer and spend your time praying for others. THE VITAL KEYS OF AN INTERCESSOR AND WATCHMAN. 1) Understand every promise of the Bible concerning your total life. 2) Understand that God has blessed you and given you many, as well as specific promises. 3) Spend a definite time daily in your listening room to discern what God is saying to you or warning you about. Your prayer must include a quiet time, preferably after praying in the Spirit for a while. 4) Keep a prayer diary. 5) Create and preserve boundaries of spiritual control and maintain them through intercession and being a watchman. 6) Do purposeful battles for specific things that you know God has blessed youwith. Praying extensively in the Spirit is vital. Remember that you will have to expel the enemy and his influence completely. 7) Understand that you have to regularly take up the full armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) and use the weapons of our warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5) against the enemy. 8) Maintain a continuous prayer shield of all that you value.

Destiny Harvest Centre Tell: 031 584 6065 Email: [email protected] Website: www.destiny.co.za