Intercession
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- Distinguish from "inter-session", i.e. "between sessions."
Intercession, in Christianity is prayer to God on behalf of another person that includes a level of intimacy--obtained through worship--and speaking God's words back to Him--praying specific Scripture from the Bible. The nature of intercession in Judaism is disputed.
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[edit] Christianity
In Christian practice, intercessory prayer is the act of one person praying for or on behalf of another[1]. The prayer intercedes on behalf of the subject, believing that God will answer the prayer according to His will. That's why praying His Word is a key part of intercession. The prayer person is not creating new ideas or requests, but presenting God with His own ancient and holy words contained in the Bible. One prays "Your will be done" not "my will be done" in a given circumstance. The focus is not on the person or circumstance; the focus is on the Lord, His words, His will, His influence, His impact on the person's life or situation.
[edit] Intercession in the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches
- Main articles: Intercession of saints; Prayer for the dead
Intercession is by no means limited to or bound by the Catholic Church. Christians, who aren't priests, have been praying intercessory prayers since before the Reformation, and since, not excluding or decreasing the importance of impromptu or unscripted personal prayers. Intercession is one of many tools available to a Christian--no concept more important or better than the rest.
In Roman Catholic and Orthodox practice intercession has several senses:
- Prayer for the Living — As among Protestant Christians, intercession commonly refers to a Christian praying to God on behalf of others. This is common to all Christian traditions, though Protestant teaching normally limits intercessory prayer to that on behalf of the living.
- Prayers of the Saints — Intercession may also refer to the Roman Catholic and Orthodox faithful asking members of the Communion of Saints in Heaven to intercede to God on their behalf or that of others. Both Eastern and Western traditions clearly distinguish between the prayer that is offered to the saints ("prayer" means, literally, "to ask"), and the worship that is offered to God alone.
- Prayer for the Departed — Among ancient Christian churches, prayer for the departed has been practiced from ancient times.
- Among Roman Catholics (both Western and Eastern rites), the faithful may pray (and celebrate Mass or Divine Liturgy) in intercession on behalf of those who are in Purgatory, for their speedy reception into Heaven.
- In Eastern Orthodoxy, intercession for the dead is also common, with special services (Panikhidas) and the Divine Liturgy being offered frequently for the departed. However, Orthodox theology has no concept of Purgatory. The Orthodox doctrine of prayer for the departed has been clearly developed, though the Orthodox teach that there are questions which have not yet been answered by divine revelation. The Orthodox accept these as mysteries which will be revealed at the eschaton, and do not normally delve into speculation about them.
[edit] Intercession in the Protestant Churches
Intercession in liturgical Protestant churches is a regular part of the worship service, often spoken by one or more people with the congregation responding, "Hear our prayer." Protestant intercession is usually by the living and for the living, although some Anglo-Catholics and Lutherans share the Roman Catholic belief in the utility of the intercessions of dead saints (see above). In many liturgical christian churches such as Catholic, Anglican, and Methodist, votive candles will be lit as an intercession for prayer to Heaven. This is more a remembrance or recognition of a pray for someone than an intercessory prayer itself, but because it includes Scripture, worship, and intimacy with God it is considered "an intercession for prayer to Heaven."
In some evangelical, Pentecostal and charismatic churches, the role of "Intercessor" or "Prayer Warrior" is believed to be a spiritual gift or ministry specifically given to some by God. The intercessor agrees to take on the burden of another; this kind of prayer can be an intense religious experience. Some well known charismatic intercessors are Joy Dawson and Cindy Jacobs. A notable intercessor in Christian history was Rees Howells, a Welsh minister who Norman Grubb wrote about in the book Rees Howells: Intercessor.
