What is prophetic intercession?

Definitions of prophetic intercession can vary depending on one’s preconceived ideas on Scripture, spiritual gifts, and personal revelation. Usually, prophetic intercession is defined as prayer on behalf of others prompted and empowered by some type of revelation or special connection with God.

Much of prayer is intercessory. We pray often on behalf of others. All Christians are called to be intercessors, taking the needs of others to God for help. Scripture tells us to offer prayers for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2); servants of the gospel (Philippians 1:19); Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6); friends (Job 42:8); fellow countrymen (Romans 10:1); the sick (James 5:14); enemies (Jeremiah 29:7); those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44); and those who forsake us (2 Timothy 4:16). In fact, we are to offer prayers of intercession for all people (1 Timothy 2:1).

Prophetic intercession adds another layer to the biblical work of intercession in prayer. To pray prophetically is to pray with special insight into God’s plan and thus with the confidence of expecting a positive answer.

Several times in the Bible, a prophet of God prays prophetically as he intercedes for others. One example is Abraham as he speaks to the Lord regarding Sodom and Gomorrah. In a visit with Abraham, the Lord tells him of His plan to “go down [to Sodom] and see if what they have done is as bad as the outcry that has reached me” (Genesis 18:21). Abraham immediately begins to intercede for the wicked city:

The conversation continues until the number is whittled down to ten (Genesis 18:26–32). The Lord heeds Abraham’s humble request, which was made according to Abraham’s understanding of God’s righteous nature. Abraham knew the will of God, and he prayed for Sodom—or, rather, the righteous within Sodom—on the basis of that knowledge. That is the essence of prophetic prayer.

Moses is another example of a prophet who interceded in prayer. On Sinai, Moses received the law from God’s hand; meanwhile, the children of Israel were engaging in idolatry at the foot of the mountain. God pronounced judgment on the rebels, saying, “I have seen these people, . . . and they are a stiff-necked people. Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation” (Exodus 32:9–10).

Moses took on an intercessory role and pleaded on behalf the congregation: “‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? . . . Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.”’ Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened” (Exodus 32:12–14). Moses’ prayer of intercession was prophetic in that it grew out of his understanding of God’s covenant and nature.

Daniel is another example as he prayed from his home in Persia. The intercession began with Daniel’s reading of Scripture: “I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes” (Daniel 9:2–3).

Daniel’s prayer starts with a confession of his people’s sin, moves to an acknowledgement of God’s righteousness in judgment, and includes a mention of God’s salvation in the past. Daniel then brings his petition to the Lord: “Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:17–19). In his prayer, Daniel knew the will of God as it had been revealed in Scripture, and he prayed for Jerusalem on the basis of that knowledge—another clear example of prophetic prayer.

Some Christians associated with the charismatic movement today see prophetic intercession as an encounter with God that moves beyond the level of prayer. Rather than asking God to do something as traditional prayer does, the intercessor partners with God in accomplishing what God is already doing. The goal is to cease praying from an earthly perspective and enter God’s presence in heaven and listen to Him speaking. Jesus seeks those on earth ready to receive divine messages and implement divine strategies on earth.

According to proponents of prophetic prayer, prophetic intercession starts with hearing God’s voice. The key is to stop talking to God and start listening. When the revelation comes from God, the intercessor has a prophetic assignment, guiding him or her to form a precise prayer to “release” God’s blessing in the world. Knowing the mind of God in the matter, the intercessor believes he or she is praying the very words of God and can “decree and declare” the outcome. Prophetic intercession is not about begging God to act; it’s about receiving heavenly assignments and helping God carry out His mission in the world.

An example of prophetic prayer today would be what happens if someone hears a clear message from God that the city of Tucson will experience a revival, with many people turning to the Lord for salvation. The receiver of the divine insight begins to intercede for Tucson in full confidence that he or she is working in tandem with the Lord to bring about the revival. Since the intercessor is aligned with God’s will, he or she prays fervently and specifically, knowing that the answer will come and Tucson will experience a spiritual breakthrough.

Is prophetic intercession is “biblical”? Yes, in the sense that biblical prophets did intercede for others, and their prayers were based on the insight they had into God’s Word and God’s nature. But prophetic intercession, as taught in the charismatic movement today, is a questionable practice with no real basis in Scripture.

To embrace the idea of prophetic intercession today, one must accept the following as true:

• The role of prophet still exists today.
• God is giving new revelation today, apart from the Bible.
• God wants us to move “beyond” prayer.
• We can “decree”—even demand—solutions to problems.

Christians are called to intercede for others in prayer (see James 5:16). Intercession does not require us to hear a new word from God or seek mystical encounters with Him. All that is required is faith and a willingness to cast our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7).