A Tradition of Prayer Intercessory Prayer First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ 2000 "D" Street Lincoln, Nebraska 68502-1698 Office (402) 476-7565 Fax (402) 476-8402

From the Prayer Room
of First-Plymouth Congregational Church
Lincoln, Nebraska

A Resource for Everyone Seeking Spiritual Growth Through Prayer

Welcome

    We welcome you to First-Plymouth Church's Prayer Room. The devotional materials you will find here are provided to give you a chance to spend a few minutes in prayer and meditation. 
    Intercessory Prayer has a long tradition in our Judeo-Christian tradition. It continues to be an important part of people's spiritual lives today. The purpose of intercession is not to tell God what to do but to help you better understand your concerns for those those around you. It helps you focus your spiritual support to them.

Intercessory Prayer
Connecting with God and Others

Hear my prayer, O GOD; give ear to my supplications in your faithfulness; answer me in your righteousness.

--Psalm 143:1

Intercessory Prayer

      Some of the earliest Christian gatherings for worship were called synaxis (meaning meeting or assembly in Greek). Typically, worship would include readings from the Psalms, followed by a period of intercessory prayer, and concluding with celebration of the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper). Adaptations of this basic outline of worship can still be found in many worship services today.

      The epistles (letters) of the Christian New Testament claim that all believers in Jesus Christ are priests. In intercessory prayer, we carry out what traditionally identified as being a priestly function: interceding with God on behalf of others.

      Webster’s Dictionary defines intercede as “to intervene between parties with a view to reconciling differences.” In intercessory prayer, we go to God on behalf of someone else, or in behalf of a particular situation that is of personal, congregational, or communal concern. Intercessory pray often is referred to as the “prayers of the people.” Ultimately, our prayer is always for complete reconciliation of the person or situation with God’s yearnings, God’s gracious will. Traditionally, in the Christian church, intercessory prayer is offered in the name of Jesus, as Jesus is understood to intercede with us before God. However, there is also a strong tradition that in prayer we have direct access to God, who is with us always.

      In group settings, typically, a particular intercession is named and is then followed by a common collective response. The following give examples of this:

Intercession: For all peoples and places shattered by war, we pray to the Lord.

    Response: Lord, have mercy.

 

Intercession: I ask your healing for all who are sick, especially Aunt Martha. Let us pray for the sick.

              Response: (A period of silence follows)

 

Intercession: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours. 

Grant that we may service Christ in them and love one another as Christ loved us. (Silence) Lord in your mercy,

                    Response: Hear our prayer.

      The process for individual intercessory prayer is different. Because it is carried out on a personal basis, it can be done at almost any time and in any of a number of ways. Some people will set aside time at either the beginning or end of the day for prayers. Others will pray spontaneously as the Spirit moves them, e.g. while taking a break at work, waiting for a traffic light to change, when doing the chores around the home.

      Whatever way it is done, in public or private, intercessory prayer connects us with both God and with the persons or situations we are praying for.

 

A Short Guide to Personal Intercessory Prayer

 This guide will help you get started using intercessory prayer. 

1.   Either write out a list of prayer concerns on a sheet of paper or an index card, or review and update the list you made the day before. Include a brief description of the person or situation for whom/which you want to pray. Example: Aunt Martha—that she be strengthened and comforted.

 

2.   Offer up a series of intercessory prayers using the above examples to guide you. Remember that    you don’t have to go into great detail in your prayer. A simple statement of your concern is sufficient. However, longer, more verbal prayers can help you understand the nature or depth of your own concerns regarding the person or situation you are praying for.

 -OR-

      Carry the list with you during the day. Refer to it when you have a few moments, praying one or two of the concerns you have listed.

 

3.   Depending on when you make your list, at the beginning, in the middle, or at the end of the day, review it in the morning or evening, briefly holding each person or situation in prayer.

 

4.   Make changes to your list when it seems appropriate. 

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Prepared for First-Plymouth Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Lincoln, NE. Adapted from “Ways of Praying” by Charlotte H. Still, provided by the United Church of Christ’s Office for church Life and Leadership for use in local churches of the UCC © 1998.

The Scripture quotations contained herein are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ n the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

    If you would like to have a special prayer request added to First-Plymouth Church's prayer list, or if you have a concern you would like to share with our staff, please e-mail us through the Rev. Nancy Erickson.