This is the fourth article in this series on The Second Heaven. Here I want to tell you about the power of intercession. To intercede in prayer and in the authority of Jesus is one of the greatest power filled Keys that Christians have. The spiritual leaders of wickedness that reside in the Second Heaven realize this and consequently pit so much confusion, strife, false accusation and other tactics against it. If we are not interceding, we will find ourselves criticizing, gossipping, growing bitter, spiteful and full of worry. The inevitable end of such is trauma, tragedy and destruction. God is recalling many of His people into this strategic position to break the oppression coming out of the Second Heaven. The Holy Spirit and the Warrior Angels in God's Throne room are deploying now to stand with those Believers on earth who will take up this Key and release the Kingdom of Heaven into the earth. There is a rising roar of intercession rising from the earth from God's people. You need to close the ranks with others and take your place. This article will empower you to do that.
I interviewed a Pastor F. Shongwe who lives in South Africa. He was beaten and stabbed to death one night. He received a fatal stab wound in the heart and was declared dead on arrival at the local hospital. The police arrested one man and were in the process of opening a murder investigation. His body was placed in the morgue at the hospital overnight. Meanwhile, He went to Heaven and experienced many awesome things there. He spoke at length with Abraham about the end times. He saw different categories of Angels there. Some where very small, others were human size and many Angels were giants that held great authority and power. These giant Angels were assigned to nations and regions. While in Heaven, Pastor Shongwe, heard a roar similar to ocean waves ascending from the earth that went by him and up higher into the regions of God's Throne. He didn't understand what this noise was so he asked and was told "This roaring sound is the prayers and praises of God's people on earth ascending to the Father in the Throne Room." On the earth the people of his church prayed all through the night for him, knowing that he was dead. They also prayed for the drunken young men who had killed him. When the police arrived for a second time in the morning, the church leaders told the police "we as Believers have decided to forgive these young men." This upset the police but they said because of the crime, criminal charges would proceed. However, at the approximate time the church announced that they chose to forgive the offenders; Pastor Shongwe was resurrected and was discovered alive by a nurse at the hospital. Within a short time of his coming back to life the swelling, bruising and three stab wounds had completely disappeared and he walked out of the hospital with another Pastor who had come to visit him. The two pastors then went to the jail and lead the man who had used the knife, to personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is an awesome testimony that demonstrates the power of intercession when God's people pray. It also demonstrates the importance of forgiveness even in the face of obvious wrong.
When adversity, sin, illness, satanic activity or whatever trouble arises in the earth, God's word to His people is to intercede. Isaiah 59:16 says of God: "He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him." Every Believer has a mandate from God to pray and intercede for God's will to be released. This includes personal needs as well as needs in the nations. Intercession is more about partnering with God and making spiritual declarations over the circumstances so that God can confirm those declarations. For years, many have thought of intercession as "begging God to do something" because He didn't seem to care, so we had to awaken His compassion. However, intercession is more about partnering with God so that our prayers and the words of our mouth can be used by God to confirm what has been prayed.
I would be remiss if I didn't include scriptures to verify this article. Let me share just a few as follows.
We read in:
Romans 8:26 "Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groaning s too deep for words."
Romans 8:27 "And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:34 "Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us."
1Timothy 2:1 "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
1Timothy 2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Timothy 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,"
Hebrews 7:25 "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Isaiah 58:6 "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?
Isaiah 58:7 Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?
Isaiah 58:8 Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.
Isaiah 58:9 Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, 'Here I am.' If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness,"
Here are two important applications of intercession:
- To intercede with (with = partner with God to do the work of His Kingdom and release Heaven into the earth) God and
Note: Many of God's kids still have an orphan spirit/mentality where to them intercession means begging God to do something because He is otherwise withholding something from them. Their feeling is that God and they are at odds and not really reconciled. This is wrong.
- To stand against Satan, demons, sickness, non-Godly circumstances on behalf of others and yourself.
When you take up this Important Key you will have great authority over Second Heaven spirits of wickedness. Intercession overlaps with prophecy. Prophecy better equips you to release God's power into earth's circumstances through intercession and that stops the work of evil operating from the Second Heaven.
Remember:
Maintain a clean heart before the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin. (Psalm 24: 3, 4, 5)
Rely on the Holy Spirit to pray through you. (Romans 8:26)
Don't rely on your own thoughts for how you should pray. Acknowledge His direction and wisdom. (Proverbs 3 : 5 and 6)
Praise God for His awesome faithfulness and ability to change every situation. (Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 4:6) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Be assertive against the devil and his kingdom. Come against him with all the power of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sword of the Spirit. (Luke 10:19, Mt 10:1, James 4:7)
Be responsive to the Holy Spirit for He often will speak, direct or prompt us through the Word. He will confirm His Word as well as you wait in His Presence.
Praise God for what He is doing and will continue to do. The glory belongs to Him.
Romans 11:36 "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
Keith A. Paul has many years of Ministry experience and is an Author. He is used in the gift of prophecy, dream interpretation and words of knowledge which are gifts of the Holy Spirit. He currently lives in Abbotsford B.C. Canada. He travels internationally speaking and imparting the supernatural works of the Holy Spirit. To receive Keith's free Prophetic Words, free Dream Interpretation or purchase His E Books please visit http://www.restorationplaceministries.com
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