“I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 22:30-31)
The implications of this passage are incredible – a shortage, a lack, of willing and available humans, for God to enlist in intercession.
“Intercede” means to go or pass between, to mediate between two parties. Intercession happens in our courts with lawyers interceding for clients. It involves delegation and authority. Another way of saying it would be representation.
God does nothing on the earth save in answer to believing prayer. (John Wesley)
Man was made to be the steward, governor, and representative of God’s kingdom on earth.
Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion… You have given him (mankind) dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet. The heavens are the Lord’s heavens, but the earth he has given to the children of man. (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:6; Psalm 115:16)
Adam initially represented God. He was equipped in every way, but stumbled. The second Man is the Lord from heaven, Jesus the last Adam, our perfect intercessor, high priest and redeemer. (I Corinthians 15:45,47)
Jesus is now functioning as our representative – guaranteeing access to the Father.
“At the time you will ask (pray) in my name, and I am not saying that I will ask the Father on your behalf (for it will be unnecessary). For the Father Himself (tenderly) loves you because you have loved Me and have believed that I came out from the Father.” (John 16:26-27 AMP)
Jesus is not only praying FOR us; He is interceding so that WE can pray. This is the essence of praying “in His name”:
It is the assurance I have that I am praying with Jesus’ representation in the midst.
Intercessory prayer is Jesus ministering through His body the church. In this role the church, praying “in His name”, mediates between God and man unto reconciliation. We also, “in His name”, take dominion over darkness and enforce the victory of Calvary on behalf of others. (2 Corinthians 5:17-20)
We are co-laborers with God, partners with Him. Our prayers release the finished work of the cross.
God shapes the world by prayer. The more praying there is in the world the better the world will be, the mightier the forces against evil. (E.M.Bounds)
If God shapes the world by prayer and He needs you and me to stand in the breach, then He actually shapes the world through us!
What a striking honor it is, to be invited into partnership with Him, to have a strategic position in Gods’ government!