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As the prayers within most services are usually called The Intercessions, Intercessory Prayer as a specific calling is often misunderstood.
To intercede means to act or interpose on behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble by pleading or petition with someone who has the power to change it.
As can be drawn from the language used, this is not so much a well thought out prayer written a few days in advance for public worship, but more of a private 'wrestling with God' often on behalf of those facing extreme difficulties.
It is considered by many to be a charism - a gift from the Holy Spirit - and thus to be inspired, fueled and directed by a person's intimate communion with God the Holy Spirit. Often people bearing this gift have a need to spend much time in solitude and prayer. |
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It is also referred to as 'standing in the gap' taking the idea from Abraham, Moses, Daniel and Nehemiah, amongst others, who very clearly 'stepped in' between the Israelites and YWHW (God) in order to repent on their behalf, ask for protection on their behalf, ask for 'redemptive action' on their behalf, pleading with the Lord often with fasting, tears or having taken on the despair of the people themselves; bearing the burdens of the people on their heart before God, as Ramsey might say.
 To intercede can also mean 'to attempt to reconcile differences between two people or groups; to mediate'. We could call the above mediation, but in terms of Intercessory Prayer as a calling, this can also mean a calling to intercede for unity between those with seemingly irreconcilable differences which only the Prince of Peace could ever hope to reconcile.
As a note of caution, Intercessors are completely capable, as fallible human beings, of interceding based on their own personal interpretation of a situation/scripture. However, due to the charismatic nature of the gift many Intercessors find themselves surprised by the prompting of the Holy Spirit to a fresh understanding of a situation that is in direct conflict with their own firmly held beliefs. For example, someone praying for a 'healing' may be gently lead into praying for a peaceful passing, or someone praying that all those holding heretical beliefs may 'know the Truth' may be humbled to discover that they have in fact been praying for themselves!
 Intercessors from all Traditions
As is true of all gifts, they are found in all traditions of the Anglican Church, although the language used to describe the gift may differ slightly between them. It is also true that the traditions tend to draw particular personality types, but that doesn't mean that silent introverts are not as deeply involved in spiritual warfare as those waving banners and shouting into the heavenlies, and conversely, that those praying out loudly are not equally capable of contemplative silence and waiting upon the Lord.
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© 2009 Diocese of Blackburn
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