Intercessory Prayer Moves The Heart of God

By Kandace Rather
"Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:7-9, NKJV).

You know what I think is interesting about these verses? God, in all His wisdom and authority, gave us free will by giving us the power to choose because He is seeking our voluntary love for Him. He does not force us to sow good seed, nor does He stop us from sowing bad seed. Yet, through intercession we can move the heart of God and move His hand to turn someone's heart. When the heart is turned, the will follows.

We are told in Proverbs 21:1 that "The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes" (NKJV). Although we do not have the power to come against someone's free will, we do have influence with the One who can turn their heart. In this, we find great insight into the power of intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is another strategic weapon God has given us as we war in the Spirit for a child or loved one. When someone's heart is in rebellion toward God, the current that is flowing in that person’s heart is working against God's will for his or her life. Instead of that person "flowing" in the will of God, he or she is swimming against the current of who and what He has designed them to be.

Remember, we are all God's creation. However, it's only those who repent of their sin and confess Him as Savior and Lord that are given the invitation to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb and reign with Him in eternity. Those who do not receive His free gift of salvation become destined as children of wrath who will spend eternity separated from God. Sounds heavy, huh? Yet it's this very truth that has many times caused me to burn the midnight oil, coming before the King and asking for mercy for a child or loved one. It's the very truth that has led me to cry out to Him day and night for the destiny of one who is sowing seeds to the flesh and turning his or her will against God.

The questions I want to ask you are, “Do you believe that you have influence with the King?” and “Do you believe your heart of faith and sincerity can move His heart to change the current of water flowing in a child who is in rebellion?” We only have to look to Esther to see that God is moved by our entreaties and our acts of faith no matter what the cost. For me, the cost has been seasons of little sleep; for Queen Esther, it potentially was her life.

"Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV). Intercessory prayer is what Jesus is doing even as I write this devotional blog! One definition of intercession is "to plead with a person on behalf of another." We are also told in Ezekiel 22:30 that God was searching for a man that would stand in the gap (or intercede) so that He (the Lord) would not destroy the land. Jesus is now the great Intercessor who stands before His Father and prays for the saints according to the will of God. Not only that, He invites us to join Him!

I will share more next week about intercessory prayer, but I want to conclude this week's blog by reminding you that your prayers for your children are powerful! May we not grow weary in doing good as we intercede for our children . . . let’s be persistent! God is a good Judge and is ready and willing to hear our case and move on our behalf. We are His Bride, not merely persistent widows! (See Luke 18:1-8.)

PRAYER: Father, we exalt Your name this day and honor You for Your perfect leadership over our lives. We ask You now to teach us, show us and move us to intercession for our children. Renew our faith and hope in Your Word and the power of prayer. We believe Your promise that we will see a harvest of good fruit if we do not lose heart. Strengthen our hearts today, Lord! We choose to believe once again what You have to say rather than the whispers of the enemy or the opinions of man. We love you, Father! In Jesus Name, Amen.