The Urgent Need for Intercessory Prayer (Deuteronomy 9:12 - 10:5, 12, 13)

 
 
 

Sermon Summary

Pastor David Yan

18 June 2023

There are different kinds of prayer. One is intercessory prayer.

The person who prays such prayer identifies with someone or something and does not let up till the Lord answers.

Moses interceded for Israel; Jesus intercedes for his church.

Why is there cause for intercessory prayer?

  • First, the stubbornness of God's people called for earnest prayer. Someone needed to pray for her. That person was Moses. He is a type of Jesus who prays for his wayward church.

  • Secondly, God's commitment to Israel meant he would not abandon them. Once committed forever committed. Moses appealed to this commitment as he interceded for Israel. Jesus is committed to his church but believers must pray for the church.

  • Thirdly, the Lord promised the patriarchs he would bless the world through them. Moses prayed for the fulfilment of the promise. Jesus prayed for the church that through the first believers others would come to believe in him.

  • Fourthly, God maintains a good witness to the world. He threatened to destroy stiff necked Israel but Moses interceded. The demise of Israel would give the world cause to mock. The world mocks the church but the church belongs to God and God is never mocked.

Consider the cost of intercessory prayer. Moses prostrated himself before God. He fasted forty days and forty nights. Jesus paid the cost of intercessory prayer. He felt the intensity of prayer when he retreated and prayed in gardens and on mountains. Jesus paid the price of intercessory prayer and his prayer has prevailed.

Consider the constancy of intercessory prayer. Moses "kept prostrating" himself before God. Jesus lives forever "to make intercession" for his people (Hebrews 7:24,25).

Consider the consequence of intercessory prayer. The Lord listened (Deut. 9:19) and acted. He would not destroy Israel. He gave Israel a second chance. He rewrote the law and restated the essence of the law—to love God with heart and soul (Deut.10:12). Jesus has prevailed in prayer and we have a chance to become new people through faith in him.

Engage in intercessory prayer for our country. It is needy. In its hour of need the church must kneel. Let us pray and intercede for our land.

 
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