Intercession is the position the intercessor takes in praying for another. An intercessor is a person who is a go-between, bringing another persons needs before God. Be an effective intercessor and learn the secrets of Elijah’s prayer life.
An article that teaches us through the prayer life of Elijah how to do battle against the powers of darkness through prayer and spiritual warfare.
1. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with faith
Watch this video and learn the answers to the questions, “What is faith?” and “How does faith work?”
“He (Elijah) prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain for three and half years.” James 5:17.
By faith Elijah confidently declared to King Ahab that there would neither be rain or dew, because God had promised to withhold these from the land, if His people turned from him to other gods. 1 Kings 17:1; Leviticus 26:1,18‑19; Deuteronomy 11:16‑17 and 28:23‑24.
B. Elijah believed God – for provision.
Having announced to Ahab the king, that there would be no rain, Elijah left Samaria at the Lord’s instructions and hid in a ravine east of Jordan. There God provided water from the brook and ravens brought bread and meat, morning and evening. 1 Kings 17:1‑6.
After Elijah was directed to Zarephath, God told him that a widow would feed him. On asking for a piece of bread she affirmed that she had no bread only little flour and oil enough for a last meal for her son and herself. 1 King 17:7‑17.
Elijah gave her a promise on the authority of the Word of God: She would have food until the drought ended.
Her obedient response demonstrated her faith in the Word of the Lord. The Lord honoured both hers and Elijah’s faith by fulfilling His promise miraculously.
C. Elijah believed God – for restoration.
Upon hearing of the death of this Gentile woman’s small boy, Elijah by faith in heartfelt concern stretched out his whole body on the lad. Three times Elijah did this, praying each time that God would restore the boy’s life. 1 Kings 17:17‑24.
God miraculously restored the boy’s life in response to Elijah’s faith.
We can have that kind of faith, for James 5:17 says, “Elijah was a man just like us.”
D. Elijah believed God – to demonstrate His sovereignty.
Ahab summoned the people from all over Israel. It is likely that hundreds if not thousands were present. The extent of Baal worship in Israel can be estimated by the number of priests Jezebel regularly fed ‑ 450 prophets of the male god and 400 of the female goddess. 1 Kings 18:22‑41.
The contest was that each side would prepare to sacrifice its bull as a burnt offering to its god. They would each call on their god and the god who answered by fire would be shown to be the true God.
On reading the story, we find that after 6 hours of the false prophets chanting for fire, it failed to come.
C. Elijah believed God to send the fire.
Then Elijah prepared the sacrifice, soaked it in water three times and prayed, asking God to simply show the people that He is the true God and to turn the hearts of the people back to Him.
Instantly fire fell from heaven, consuming the sacrifice, wood and altar and even the surrounding soil and water.
Truly, a miracle of God released through Elijah’s faith.
“In speaking of the angels he says, ”He makes his angles winds, His ministering servants flames of fire.” Hebrews 1:7.
God sends the fire of His presence upon His children to equip us to minister.
D. Elijah believed God to send the rain.
Previously Elijah had predicted there would be a drought, now three years later he is telling the King there would be heavy rain. 1 Kings 18:41‑46.
Note V41. And Elijah said to Ahab “Go, eat and drink, for there is a sound of a heavy rain” That was a statement of faith.
Ahab rode off down the mountain to celebrate the end of the drought, but Elijah walked back up the mountain to pray for rain.
Rains normally came from the west, off the Mediterranean Sea, so Elijah instructed his servant by faith to look in that direction.
At first the rain cloud was small (like a man’s hand), but soon the whole sky grew black and heavy rain descended.
We are reminded again, “Elijah was a man like us!” James 5:17.
2. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with fervency
Fervency means: with force, energy, earnestness, vigour, zeal, strength, power, passion, emotion.
“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” James 5:16. (KJV.)
“Elijah prayed earnestly for it not to rain.” James 5:17.
Then Elijah prayed earnestly for it to rain. 1 Kings 18:42-46.
Desperate praying brings powerful and positive results.
3. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with persistently
1 Kings 18:41‑46.
“And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is a sound of heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.” “Go and look toward the sea, “he told his servant. And he went up and looked. “There is nothing there,” he said. Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.” The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, `Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind arose, a heavy rain came…” 1 Kings 18:41‑46.
God answered Elijah, as he persisted in prayer.
On praying for the widows son. Three times Elijah stretched himself out placing the whole body of the lad in contact with his own. He prayed each time that God would restore the boy’s life. 1 Kings 17:17‑24.
Persistence in prayer is a fundamental prerequisite for obtaining one’s petitions.
It has been said: Prevailing prayer begins in travail and continues in travail, until the answer comes.
“Ask and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; and he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks,(lit. keeps on knocking) the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7‑8.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11‑13.
4. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with authority
1. Elijah prayed with authority, having the word of the Lord.
“Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 1 Kings 18:36.
He was able to pray with authority, because he prayed with an open ear to hear God’s instructions, and a willing heart to obey.
We can pray with authority on the basis of the Word of God. For: `prayers that plead promises, are guaranteed success’.
Jesus said: “In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on the sick people, and they will get well.” Mark 16:17‑18.
2. We pray in Jesus’ name using our God -given authority and privilege.
5. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with a mind set on opposing the forces of darkness
Elijah was a man co‑operating with the heavenly forces and opposing the occult.
Pray, “Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done” to whatever situation you are in.
It has been said; “If in prayer we have great intention, then God gives greater attention.”
6. An intercessor with the Elijah anointing prays with boldness
“The prayer of a righteous man….” James 5:16. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The righteous are bold as a lion.”
Zachariah’s prophecy in Luke 1:68,74: “Praise to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and redeemed His people…” “… to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve Him without fear.”
Intercession is the position an intercessor takes. Intercessory prayer is praying to God on behalf of another. Trust you have learnt from the secrets of Elijah’s prayer life how to be an effective intercessor.
Related Link: How to pray effectively for the unsaved. breakfreetoday.org/ prayer-for-unbelievers