Building An Intercessory Prayer Team
We are all capable of praying for others and stepping in with God on their behalf. But some people are gifted at intercession. They have an ear for the needs of others, and take them before God even when those other people reject God. They also have an ear for God and take God's message to the people. An intercessor's heart is touched for those in need, not necessarily on their behalf, but, because they have a burden for that person. They persevere. They let the Spirit give them peace about it, instead of worrying.Sometimes, someone is led to be an intercessor for a specific person or mission or task. Such people are quite valuable. Such intercessors sometimes get a strong sense of coming danger about whom they're praying for. They often report that they're driven to their knees or awaken early in the morning to pray about something they can't otherwise have known was happening.
The decision to develop an intercessory prayer team must be, a decision to align your ministry or church with God’s principles for leadership and Christ’s model for accomplishing the work. Do not be surprised that His model looks backward to the world and perhaps to us. His ways are not our ways. To follow Christ as we attempt to be His Body in the world, we notice three aspects of our Savior’s ministry: 1) Christ did only those things the Father instructed Him to do (Jn 5:19); 2) He learned what those things were through prayer (Luke5:16); 3) He chose others to work with Him. Even the Son of God did not try to run a one-man show. Christ’s life and ministry reveal prayer as the “real work.” Constantly He withdrew to commune with the Father. Prayer was not the back-up plan in the Lord’s life; it was not support for the work; it was the work and remains, today, the actual work of The Church. When the work of prayer is complete, evangelists, teachers, preachers, and counselors find their task is simply reaping the spoils of a battle already won by Jesus Christ on the cross.
Gifted intercessors constantly watches God. They are attentive to Him and consequently sees things through God's eyes and Word, clearly hears and obeys His voice, is faithful in practicing all aspects of praying as led by the Holy Spirit.
Know the gifted intercessors! Within the team there may be intercessors, called by the Lord, to pray for the church, pastor, finances, cities, ministries, missions, etc., or whatever the predominant vision of the ministry or church is.
There of many intercessory categories, however the basics are: Infantry, Artillery, and SWAT.
Infantry: Believers in our Lord and Savior, who based on the word, obediently intercede for others. They have not yet received their actual calling. They are, however, moved to intercede and love to pray. With perseverance, prayer, and study, the calling will come. These intercessor usually have a specified time in which they go before God's throne in prayer. They are very useful, and as the infantry in the military, they take orders from man and complete their mission or assignments. God can call upon them at any time to do whatever needs to be done at that moment. Since they have specified prayer times, and if you have special or immediate requests, ask them to pray about it now or they will wait to added it to their time of prayer
Artillery: Called intercessors, used by God for many purposes. These are the intercessors, that can pray for the church, pastor, finances, country or any areas in which they have a burden for. They will daily go to God for a new vision on their burden. The artillery, as in the military, will continue a mission until completed. Many of their missions are a lifetime. Don't wake an artillery intercessor at 3 am with a special request, not unless they specifically said it is okay to do so, this is not part of their calling. However, they will pray for a person or on a concern indefinitely. The greatest example of an Artillery intercessor, was my grandmother. She prayed for the salvation of 19 grandchildren until the day she died. At the time of her death, 15 grandchildren were born again. Today all of us are saved.
SWAT: Spiritual Weapons And Tactics Team - are gifted intercessors or prayer warriors that gets their instructions from God and answers to God. They operated with the diversity of spiritual gifts. According to 1 Cor. 12 there are different kinds of gifts, services and workings, and SWAT intercessors should possess a mix of them all [mercy, teaching, discernment of spirits, word of knowledge, prophecy, faith, healing, wisdom]. When these gifts operate unitedly, God will be blessed and the enemy will be crippled.
As in the military, they must fearlessly, accomplish short term missions or assignments, paving the way for the infantry and artillery. They do not fear death and a good battle serves to strengthen them. These intercessors can be called upon, by God, at any time; day or night, to do warfare for any particular situation or person. They can be called upon three or four time a day. The most important characteristic of these warriors is their availability.
If you know of a SWAT warrior on the prayer team, you too can call upon him/her with special, vital, prayer requests, at any time.
[A Note To All Intercessors: In times of Spiritual Warfare declare, “I plead the blood.” Though this saying may seem antiquated and foreign to some today, it was the standard among many who have effectively waged war against the Devil. What they were saying is, “I bring the power of the blood of Jesus to bear against the forces of evil.”
The blood of Christ is an awesome, powerful and protective covering, that can only be applied by the believers of God. Think about this: when the blood of the Lamb meets the word of our testimony, it can become explosive. These entities depend on one another to create the intended effect. Both are powerful elements; however individually they don’t accomplish their mission—but together they are dynamite!]
NOW, go to God asking not only for a vision, but also for a revelation of Himself and His plan. We listen for instructions of what we are to do rather than making our own plans, imitating someone else's plan and trying, through prayer, to twist God’s arm to support them. We must agree to do only those things which the Father has commanded. We are to work with God, not Him working with us. We must learn to align ourselves with the heart and will of God. This is essential preparation to work with the intercessors and prayer warriors the Lord will send for the ministry.
The first thing a true intercessor will do when receiving a prayer request is to ask, “Lord, what is your mind on this matter?” Your team work will be greatly eased if you are all praying in the manner. The unity of spirit is important to the birth of a successful ministry as we, individually and corporately, lean upon the Father, waiting for His will, until we receive understanding. This prepares us to pray in unity with one another and in agreement with Him. These are the prayers that seem to be answered in the heavenlies as soon as they are spoken, for we speak the very desire of God. These are prayers that bring down showers of blessings, bringing glory to the Lord as He is revealed in power and strength, in grace and mercy and majesty. To become united in the spirit and praying the will of God, is achieved by praying His Word.
Intercessors also pray for world, national, and local political leaders. Some people actually think it's good to pray against evildoers and oppressive leaders, even to pray for their death. Not that God would pay any attention if you did, but, such thinking poisons your attitude. Pray that the Spirit would guide them or change them. When James and John asked for permission to do harm to their enemies by praying for divine acts of judgment, Jesus reminded them of why He was there:
"For the Son of Man did not come to destroy peoples' lives, but to save them" (Luke 9:56).
Intercessory prayer aims to build people into what God wants of them, not to tear them down.
All that is shared with you is to be kept strictly confidential.
Prepare your mind and heart by examining yourself and making repentance and confession of sin to God. Seek to humble yourself and open your heart to the Holy Spirit.
Ask those you are going to intercede for, "What would you like me to pray for?" If you need further clarity, ask, "How would you like me to pray about this...?"
Ask if it is alright to join hands as you pray. This allows you the ability to make both physical and spiritual connection.The use of God's words is very personal to God. It deals with how we pray for ourselves, our spouses, our children, our churches, our cities, and our nations. Our words are being aligned with the words of Christ. Jesus only did and said what He saw His Father doing and saying...this is our example.When it is time to pray with an individual, take a couple of deep breaths and pray silently as you breathe in, "Come, Holy Spirit.” Take time to listen for God’s leading, We must fight the urge to fall into a pattern that closes our heart to God - as Moses did in getting water from a rock - Ex 17:1-6;Num 20:7-12. God still speaks: Jn 16:12-15.
As you begin to pray, thank God for the person you are praying for; pray for the specific request(s); and finally, ask God to bless the person you are praying with.
Keep in mind that no matter what the request, we are God’s instruments of prayer. However, if you are asked to pray with a person of the opposite sex and the request makes you uncomfortable, excuse yourself and look for another person to join you in the circle of prayer. We do not to judge the request, we simply pray. Jesus modeled a heart of compassion when he ministered to others. God will work out this request.
When praying, speak near the ear of the individual but soft enough to keep it private.
Speak God's Words into the prayer. Open your heart to God and the individual for whom you are praying. Close the prayer "in Jesus’ name."
We must watch and listen before we speak because there is life and death in the tongue, and God is adding a new authority upon our words as His children to speak life into nations, people, situations, etc.
Intercessors must know His words more then ever before, and to align their words with His Word. Be careful of those calling themselves intercessors and is not dwelling in the Word of God, they tend to pray their will and not God's will. This is not only about His written Word, but the words that He speaks daily and wants to release through us. God desires that healing comes forth from our mouths, not harm. Proverbs 12:18 says, "There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."
Ask God for gifted intercessors and prayer warriors. Draw up a business plan that will include the allocation of resources to the prayer team and its activities. Write a description of how you will interact with the team. How frequently will you contact them? How often will you write a newsletter, email, or phone team members? What will it cost to do that? What resources are required to communicate with your team? How might your spiritual gifts minister to the team? Ask the Lord for a vision of how you will work with your prayer team.
Mary France
Watchman On The Wall Ministries, U. S. A.
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