“PRAYER” SESSION 3:
MEETING AND BEARING
Read Chapters 4–5 of Intercessory Prayer before beginning this study.
INTERCESSION AS “MEETING”
The Hebrew word for intercession connotes the idea of “meeting.” In intercession, we meet God, and God meets the needs that we present to Him in accordance with His finished work on the Cross. Even though Jesus did the work of defeating the enemy upon the Cross, He invites us to partner with Him in enforcing this victory here on earth. Through our prayers of intercession, we meet the powers of darkness and enforce the victory that Christ accomplished when He met them in His work of intercession.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:18–19 together with your small group. How does this passage influence the way that you think about intercession? What does Paul mean when we says that we have the “ministry of reconciliation”? How does this relate to Adam’s original design as God’s intercessor on earth?
Do you know someone who needs a “meeting” with God? You can help set this up for them through intercession!
BEARING BURDENS IN INTERCESSION
Read over Romans 12:15 and Galatians 6:2 to begin this section of study. In these two passages, the Apostle Paul uses two different words for “bear” to explain how we are to support our Brothers and Sisters through intercession. According to the Dutch Sheets, we are not meant to simply carry the burdens of others, we are meant to carry them away. This concept of carrying away the burdens of those around us is directly related to the Old Testament picture of the Scapegoat.
How does this picture illustrate the intercessor’s role in prayer?
Think of specific examples of how you can help bear other’s burdens and fulfill your priestly role as an imitator of Christ.
Discuss how God might be calling you to do “your part” in suffering with Christ on behalf of those in need.