Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Imagine being in a court room. The judge takes his seat. The murmur in the courtroom draws quiet as the prosecution opens the case against you. He points out all of the reasons you should be declared guilty.

In your heart, you know the prosecutions reasons are valid, but the punishment is severe! It seems hopeless.

Then the Defense attorney stands up. “She’s not guilty,” he tells the judge. “Her punishment has already been paid in full by me.”

The judge pronounces you ‘not guilty’ and you are free! What joy!

As you turn to the one who interceded on your behalf, what are you thinking? What is your response? Will you be thankful? Or do you think there must be a mistake?

Let’s look at the judge and defender.

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:33 – 34 (NIV)

Jesus our Advocate.

Just think, Jesus is interceding for us all the time. He mediates on our behalf and He completely saves us (Hebrews 7:25 NIV).

It intrigues and humbles me that Jesus is praying and interceding for me. I’m no one of consequence, and that makes my awe greater. Jesus acts on my behalf out of His love, just as He did on the cross.

… because He poured out His soul unto death and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12b (NKJV)

The Holy Spirit Intercedes for Us.

The Holy Spirit also helps us. When we don’t know how to pray, the Holy Spirit prays for us. He makes intercession for us to the Father according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26 – 27).

My own prayers may get muddied by what I want, what I think I need, or by my selfishness and pride. Instead of seeking what God desires for me, I search and request that which may sidetrack or harm me because it is not in line with what God knows is good for me.

The intercession of God is always holy, good, and for the glory of God.

Follow God’s Example.

• Jesus, the Son of God, prayed for Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane. If He needed prayer, we certainly do!
• Jesus prayed that the soldiers at the cross would be forgiven (Luke 22:34).

How can we intercede for ourselves and for others?

• Jesus told the disciples to pray so they would not be tempted (Luke 22:40).
• Don’t hesitate to ask others to pray or help you. The Apostle Paul repeatedly asked people to pray for him, including for boldness to share Christ.
• Pray in the Spirit. Keep at it and don’t give up. Be alert (Ephesians 6:18)
• Pray for those in authority (I Timothy 2:2). Paul wasn’t telling Timothy to pray that the Roman ruler would be ousted from office or that he wouldn’t need to obey the rules of the authority. He prayed that they may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
• Intervene with Action. Help someone in need. Paul gathered donations during his missionary journeys and took the funds to the impoverished Christians in Jerusalem.

* How can we intercede for others? Make a list of who you will intercede for this week.

Lord, Thank you for interceding for me. Help me to have the compassion and love to intercede for others the way you do for me. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

Scriptures marked NKJV are taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION (NKJV): Scripture taken from the NEW KING JAMES VERSION®. Copyright© 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

“Not Guilty” photo by Katrin Bolovtsova on Pexels.com