Petitions, Prayers and Intercession

How often do we petition, pray and intercede for family, friends, self, and individuals of authority in our business, local (city, county and state) government individuals, local churches, Congress, leaders of our country, even the President of the United States and perhaps leaders of other countries?

Lets see what the bible advises us to do.  

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior." (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NIV)

Petition means to ask. God not only urges us to ask, He is pleased when we do.

Prayer is talking to God, anywhere, anytime.

Intercession is praying for someone else.

'The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ constantly intercedes for us (see Romans 8:34), so it pleases God when we intercede for someone else including heads of state and others in authority because we are doing what Christ does.

(Romans 8:34 NIV) "Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more that that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."

Thanksgiving always pleases God, and the Bible specifically tells us to include thanksgiving when talking to God about those in authority.

We are to pray respectfully for leaders. "Show proper respect to everyone, ... fear God, honor the king" (1 Peter 2:17 NIV). We are to pray with the clear understanding that government authority is established by God. "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established". (Romans 13:1 NIV). We also pray  knowing that God's Word says, "The King's heart is in the hand of the Lord; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases." (Proverbs 21:1 NIV).

We should, can and must pray using words and thoughts from Scripture.

Help our president [or anyone in authority at any level] to accept wise counsel. "For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure."(Proverbs 11:14 NIV); "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22 NIV)

• Teach [name] to trust in You. (Psalm 21:7 NKJV)  "For the king trusts in the Lord, And through the Mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved."


• Protect [name] from the influence of the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV) "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one".

• Give [name] discretion, foresight, and understanding in making decisions. (1 Chronicles 22:12 NIV) "May the Lord give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the Lord your God."

• Generously answer his/her prayer for wisdom. (James 1:5 NKJV) "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

• Pour out Your Spirit on his/her leadership. (Proverbs 1:23 NKJV) "Turn at my rebuke; Surly I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you." 

• Deliver [name] from opinions contrary to Your Word. (Psalm 119:105 NKJV) "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

• Protect [name] from harm, and bless and protect his/her family. "For they intended evil against You; They devised a plot which they are not able to perform." (Psalm 22:11 NKJV) "that they may offer sacrifices of sweet aroma to the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the king and his sons." (Ezra 6:10 NKJV) 

• Enable [name] to carry out his/her duties with humility toward You and toward others. (1 Peter 5:5 NKJV) "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders.  Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

• Bless [name] with strength, endurance, and stamina. "Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." (1 Chronicles 16:11 NIV), "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:31 NIV)

• Equip [name] to act according to Your will and to make choices pleasing to You. (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV) "May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

• Give [name] the courage to do the right thing even when urged to do the wrong thing. (Proverbs 2:11-15 NKJV) "Discretion will preserve you, Understanding will keep you, To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things, From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice in doing evil, And delight in the perversity of the wicked; Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;"

• Give [name] a tender heart of compassion toward those he/she leads and serves. (Colossians 3:12 NKJV) "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, bearing with on another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

(some information provided from a Billy Graham literature, other from NIV & NKJV bibles)