This is the fourth in a series on how to pray for our governments. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
Intercessions for Governing Authorities (Part 4)
by T. L. Wiens
Intercession has been defined to me as a prayer made on the behalf of another person. The idea of “standing in the gap.” There are a lot of intercessions made by the prophets on behalf of the Israelites. One of my favourite examples is when Moses is in the mountain in the presence of God:
“”The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
“So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin” “(Exodus 32:30-34 NIV).
Intercessory prayer always amazes me because so often it is putting yourself in harm’s way. Israel deserved to be destroyed and Moses stood up for them to the point of requesting his name be blotted out of the book. Wow.
When I think of governing authorities and intercessory prayer, I see that we face much the same task as Moses. It isn’t an easy task or might I say, one that I look at as desirable. But it is commanded.
