III. Prayer of Intercession

Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners.1 He is “able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”2 The Holy Spirit “himself intercedes for us … and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”3

Since Abraham, intercession—asking on behalf of another—has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God’s mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ’s, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks “not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others,” even to the point of praying for those who do him harm.4

The first Christian communities lived this form of fellowship intensely.5 Thus the Apostle Paul gives them a share in his ministry of preaching the Gospel6 but also intercedes for them.7 The intercession of Christians recognizes no boundaries: “for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions”, for persecutors, for the salvation of those who reject the Gospel.8