What Is Intercession?

(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul & Josiah)

Scripture Reference: Amos 7:1-6 (NKJV)

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as, "the saying a prayer on behalf of another person." which basically means praying for someone else. Today we will be reading from Amos 7:1-6, but first a little background on the Book of Amos. It was written by Amos, a shepherd who was called by God to pronounce judgment on the people of Israel for their idolatry, complacency and oppression of the poor.

In chapter 7, the Lord showed Amos visions signifying the destruction he was about to bring upon Israel. First He showed swarms of locust stripping the land clean. These pests will destroy the harvest crops which probably brings famine, as the crops would be their main source of food. Amos cried out to God to forgive and in verse 3 it says, "So the Lord RELENTED. ”This will not happen,” the Lord said”.

Then the Lord showed Amos a vision of “judgment by fire; it dried up the great deep and devoured the land” (verse 4). Again Amos cried out to God to stop and in verse 6 it says, "So the Lord RELENTED. “This will not happen either,” the Sovereign Lord said".

To ‘relent’ means "To become more lenient, compassionate, or forgiving".

Prayer is a powerful privilege. It has the power to change things and bring about God's compassion. Amos' prayer should remind us to pray for others - our family, our friends and our nation. To cry out to God on their behalf, for his mercy and forgiveness is indeed a privilege for us believers, kings and priests of the Most High God!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you that you have given us the privilege of interceding for others. Teach me to pray for my family, my friends and my nation. Give me the same compassion you have for them, and to pray on behalf of them. Thank you Lord. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN!

(Today's devotion is brought to you by Paul & Josiah)