Today we are talking about the prayer of intercession. Intercession is a big word. To intercede means to "stand in the gap."

All of us have probably "stood in the gap" at one time or another. Let me explain. Let's pretend that George here thinks that Suzy is really cute. George would like to ask Suzy to be his girlfriend, but he's afraid to because he doesn't know her.


George does know Suzy's friend Mary, so he comes to Mary and asks her to ask Suzy to be his girlfriend. Mary then goes over to Suzy and says, "Hey, George really thinks you are a knock-out and he wants you to be his girlfriend."

What is Mary doing? Mary is standing in the gap between George and Suzy.

This same thing happens in our prayer life. When you intercede, you are standing in the gap between God and the person you are praying for who doesn't know God. You know God and you know your friend, so you can stand in the gap between them.

Abraham Intercedes For Sodom
One day, a long time ago, Jesus and two angels appeared unto Abraham. Abraham prepared a big feast for Jesus. After dinner was over, the Lord told Abraham that Sodom and Gomorrah, which were two cities, were going to be destroyed, because of their wickedness and sin.

This really bothered Abraham, because Abraham's nephew Lot lived in Sodom. Abraham began to intercede for Lot and the city of Sodom. Abraham said to the Lord, "What if you find fifty righteous people in the city? Will you spare the city for fifty righteous?"

The Lord said to Abraham, "I will spare all the place for their sakes."

Abraham then said, "What if you find forty-five righteous in the city?"

The Lord answered, "If I find there forty-five, I will not destroy it."

And Abraham spake unto Him again, "What if there shall be found forty there?"

And He said, "I will not do it for forty's sake."

Then Abraham said, "Oh, let not the Lord be angry and I will speak; what if there shall be thirty found there?"

And He said, "I will not do it if I find thirty there."

What is Abraham doing? He's standing in the gap for Sodom.

Then Abraham said, "What if there shall be twenty found there?"

And He said, "I will not destroy in for twenty's sake."

And Abraham said, "Oh, let not Lord be angry, and I will speak just one more time. What if ten shall be found there?"

And the Lord answered, "I will not destroy it for ten's sake."

Abraham stopped interceding at this point, because he figured Lot would have at least reached his family for God, but he hadn't. The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by fire. Lot and his daughters were saved, probably because of Abraham's intercession.

Source: Adapted from Super Church Curriculum Learning To Pray
by Mark Harper
Excerpt permission granted by Mark Harper Ministries