Our Role of Intercession

Daniel 9:1-19 (portions, NIV) “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: ‘Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled...Therefore the curses and sworn judgments written in the Law of Moses, the servant of God, have been poured out on us, because we have sinned against you. You have fulfilled the words spoken against us and against our rulers by bringing on us great disaster…Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill…We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name.’”

When Daniel realized that the prophecy given by Jeremiah was about to come to pass, the first thing he did was pray with fasting and great intercession. Even though God had spoken of it through Jeremiah, Daniel’s role of intercession was still necessary to bring it about. The Lord searches out those who are ready to agree with his will in prayer because “the earth He has given to the sons of men.” (Psalm 115:16) The Lord has limited his work on earth in order to partner with His children. We are in a time of increasing fulfillment of prophecy. The same role that Daniel was given has been passed to this generation. This is the ministry of intercession which is the ministry which Jesus lives for. (see Hebrews 7:25) As we engage the Lord with fasting, prayer and intercession, we will see the unfolding Kingdom of God on earth. Daniel pleaded with the Lord to forgive his people not because of their righteous acts but because of God’s mercy. This is our approach in prayer also. We need to pray not only for repentance and forgiveness of those who bear the name of Christ, but we also need to pray for the Jews to return to the Lord through his plan of salvation in Christ Jesus. Now is a crucial time for Christ-followers to be on their knees.