Who wants Intercessory Prayer?

How many of you want intercessory prayer? How many of you need intercessory prayer? How many of you want to intercede for those whom you love?

I know I do. I want people to intercede for me, and I pray for all whom I love, whether they be dead or alive, everyday.

It just occurred to me that some of you may not know what that is. Intercessory prayer is the type of prayer where one individual mediates between God and his fellow man. Just as Jesus intercedes for us before God. We also, are called to intercede for each other. Scripture says:

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

Yes, Jesus is the one mediator between God and man. But we are one with Christ and we are called to imitate Him. Therefore, we should mediate because He mediates. We should intercede because He intercedes.

Romans 8:34Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

You never know when you will need it. You never know who will need it. Do you know what I mean? 1 Peter 3:7 says:

1 Peter 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

That your prayers be not hindered.

What does that mean? Well, if you have failed in love, if you have failed in your responsibilities, if you have offended God, your prayers may not be effective. The problem is, that we may not be aware that we are in that situation. So, we need to be humble enough to ask people to intercede for us to God. By no means does this mean that they take Jesus’ place. Yes, Jesus is the one Mediator. But we are supposed to follow in His footsteps. Jesus mediates, therefore, we, if we are children of God, also should mediate. We should imitate Christ.

And there are some very powerful intercessors out there. Beginning with our moms and dads, not to mention our Pastors and our brothers and sisters in Christ. And then, there’s that other group. The group, who, like Elijah, can pray and the sky will dry up for years. And pray again, and the rain will fall. Those are the kind of intercessors I want praying for me. And guess where they are? That’s right, in heaven.

When we are baptized, we come unto Mt. Sion, and walk with the Saints. Jesus showed us what to do when we walk with the Saints. He gave the example on the Mount of Transfiguration. He spoke to Moses and Elijah in the presence of Sts. Peter, James and John.

Are dead Saints dead?

Well, what did Jesus say?

John 11:25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Do we believe Jesus? I do.

Therefore, I pray to the Saints for their intercession before God in my behalf and in behalf of all whom I love.

Do you want intercessory prayer?! The whole cohort of heaven will intercede for you when you come to Mass. They are all present there because when we go to Mass, we are standing upon Mount Sion, where God lives. And we are making that eternal sacrifice to God, the great Thanksgiving sacrifice known as the Eucharist. And all who participate in a state of grace are one body with Christ and the whole cohort of heaven!

Yep, I want intercessory prayer! All you holy Saints and Angels, pray for us!