Intercessory Prayer
by J. Ellsworth Kalas
When I was nineteen years old (which was a while ago), I bought a copy of what was then a prayer classic, Quiet Talks on Prayer, by S. D. Gordon. I come back to it from time to time because it explains intercessory prayer in such a straightforward, understandable, and unapologetic way. I mention it to you because this kind of prayer seems almost forgotten in contemporary religious life.
Prayer has many forms and is practiced by persons with little or no religion as well as by saints. Prayer is for many the court of last resort; for others prayer is a kind of vague practice of meditation, meant more to quiet the nerves or to encourage mental health rather than to relate to the living God.
But then there is prayer as a means of making a difference in our world. This kind of praying realizes that there is more to life than appears on the surface; that as the apostle Paul said, the issues of life are not with “enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NRSV).
This was the conviction that caused S. D. Gordon to say, “The greatest thing any one can do for God or for man is to pray. It is not the only thing. But it is the chief thing.” When we wish we could assist someone in distress we sometimes say, “I wish I could do something for you, but I guess all I can do is pray.” Well, well! If we believe that prayer attacks evil at its very core, then we can do nothing more powerful than to pray. This doesn’t excuse us from going to those in hospital or prison, or from giving sacrificially to feed the poor and to change the world but it does remind us that prevailing prayer is an active power in the universe. It reminds us that on that dark Thursday night when the shadow of the cross hung over Jesus, he prayed in Gethsemane with such intensity that his perspiration became blood. Such is the reality of intercessory prayer.
When we pray we join with God in the eternal battle against evil. Thus S. D. Gordon believed that “our praying makes it possible for God to do what otherwise He could not do.” I believe this, too. When I believe it deeply enough, I pray with a divine intensity that I don’t otherwise have.
I have known times of personal need when suddenly I sensed, almost serenely, that someone was praying for me; perhaps dozens of “someones.” Seeing my need, the Spirit had touched intercessors to come to my aid. There are also times when I see that my need is greater than I can handle and I ask God to report my need to some intercessor; I call in the troops, so to speak. And daily I ask God to keep me sensitive so that if some soul in my area of spiritual responsibility needs prayer, I will hear the call of the Spirit and will join the battle.
I wish that we, God’s people, loved God’s will enough that we would give God much more of our money, our talent, and our energy. But I wish also that we would know how much God counts on our prayers, yours and mine, so that we would pray accordingly. There is power in such prayer beyond our imagining.
Dr. Kalas, enjoyed reading this article. I was one of your students 2005 Beeson batch. Miss you preaching insights but have never stopped enjoying prayer for the right reasons. Thank you.
Suresh Thomas
Good word, Ellsworth. Increasingly I am believing (and finding) that prayer is our greatest ministry, “weapon,” and work. As it has often been said, “We advance best on our knees.” (In my case, I pray best seated in a leather chair in my study.) You always have a timely word. Thanks!
Thanks for your inspiring and encouraging words.
Father and Holy Spirit power