Download: Prayer by the Book 6 Notes

Intercessory prayer means to stand in the gap or plead on behalf of another person. It literally signifies stepping in for someone else. In prayer, intercession occurs when we bring another’s needs before God—asking for His help, mercy, healing, provision, or guidance on their behalf. The concepts we are studying focus on the very things God desires us to pray for others.

Paul often begins his intercessory prayers with thanksgiving. It seems to be the entry point into intercession. Thankfulness acknowledges what God has already done in the believers. The prayer then asks God to build on that foundation and take them further.

Romans 1:8-9 — First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you.

1 Corinthians 1:4 — I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 1:15-16 — Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith… cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

Philippians 1:3–5 — I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy…

Colossians 1:3 — We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.

1 Thessalonians 1:2 — We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 — We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because that your faith grows exceedingly…

The only real exceptions are Galatians (where he skips thanksgiving entirely and jumps straight into rebuke) and 2 Corinthians (he does not have a direct “I thank God for you,” though he does express deep affection and comfort later).

Thankfulness is not just a mood when things go well, it’s meant to be the constant posture of a believer’s life. Paul writes those words while facing hardship himself, beatings, prisons, uncertainty. So, when he says “always,” it’s not naïve optimism, it’s a spiritual discipline rooted in trust.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 – Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Ephesians 5:20 – Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:17 – And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Philippians 1:9-11

(9) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment,

↓ So that

↓ In order

(10) in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

↓ Having been

↓ To – (Ultimate purpose)

For love to abound more and more it must be based upon true knowledge which comes from the Scriptures or direct revelation and discernment for every given situation. (Ephesians 1:17)

“Knowledge” – is translated from the Greek epignosis that carries the idea of “precise and thorough understanding.” An intensification is implied, that is a deep, experiential, and complete comprehension rather than a surface-level or abstract awareness.

1 John 5:14-15 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.

“All discernment” – refers to the ability to judge well making careful distinctions with clarity and wisdom, distinguishing what aligns with God’s will. Such discernment and wisdom comes from God.

Proverbs 2:3-6 For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of Yahweh and discover the knowledge of God. For Yahweh gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

James 1:5-6a But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting …

10a) so that you may approve the things that are excellent,

When our love is based upon true knowledge and all discernment, then we can approve the things that are excellent.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove [dokimazo] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Galatians 6:4 But each one must examine [dokimazo] his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another.

10b) in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ;

Sincere – The Greek word conveys the idea of being held up to the light to reveal genuineness. A sincere person is the real deal rather than one going through the motions and faking their faith.

Blameless – God desires that His children be holy and blameless before Him in love (Ephesians 1:4). This happens in Christ, by the grace of God. The guilty are now innocent, guiltless, and blameless.

Philippians 2:14-15; 2 Peter 3:13-14 We are repeatedly charged to live a blameless life.

Colossians 1:22-23 Every believer has the responsibility to remain blameless until Christ returns or we die. Our prayers for each other provide vital support.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8 We were made to be holy and blameless by the blood of Christ; however, we have the responsibility to remain holy and blameless by being firmly established and steadfast. When Jesus returns, we will be completely blameless for eternity.

To summarize: 1) by God’s grace through the sacrifice of Jesus, when we believed we are made blameless; 2) henceforth, we strive to live a blameless life; 3) if we remain faithful, when Christ returns, we will be blameless forevermore.

The way to be sincere and blameless to the day of Jesus is centered in abounding in love that is dependent upon true knowledge and all discernment and our God given ability to do it right. LOVE is primary!

11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

“The fruit of righteousness” points to the results of living the right way; and in the context of this prayer, it is a life centered in love. The fruit is listed in Galatians 5 – love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, meekness, discipline… this all comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

“To the glory and praise of God” – the ultimate goal of this righteous living is “to the glory and praise of God.”

1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 … may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

1 Corinthians 1:4-8 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you….

Five concepts to include in prayers for others: