Author’s note: On October 20th, some foolish people are getting together in NYC to curse Brett Kavanaugh, the newly appointed Supreme Court Justice, and the Midterm elections are just two weeks away. Please read the article, and go get ‘em, dear ones! Remember that when we win, even the unsaved get blessed. Love to all! KRP
SUPER INTERCESSION
But I have prayed for you…Luke 22:32 NKJV
Its been said, and I believe it is true, that ‘history belongs to the intercessors.’ In other words, that the fate of individuals, indeed the fate of nations hangs in the balance of the ones that pray and seek the Lord with all of their hearts. Its been said that ‘the Jesus Movement’ was the Lord’s response to the prayers of a million mothers. The classic movie ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ that we watch every year at Christmas begins with an almost unnoticed scene where people are praying for George Bailey, on a night when he is about to kill himself, and Clarence the angel is God’s response to their prayers. We must be constantly reminded and affirmed that it is within the power of our prayers to change the fates of men.
Intercession could be defined as ‘coming before one on behalf or concerning another.’ Intercession is aggressive by nature. You see that in its first usage in Acts 25:24. I like to think of it as ‘getting involved in someone else’s fight,’ which means, of course, that you will fight. There is nothing passive about intercession, and those who fight, fight with one purpose, one outcome in mind – victory.
Intercession is the Greek word ENTUGCHANO and its used five times in the Greek New Testament. However, there is a word translated ‘intercession’ which is the Greek word HUPERENTUGCHANO, meaning super-intercession. What does that mean? ENTUGCHANO is used of Christ’s intercession for us before the Father, so whatever ‘super-intercession’ means, it can’t mean that it is greater in quality than ENTUGCHANO. You see that? It has to mean something else, and that has to do with its practical application.
HUPERENTUGCHANO is used of the great gift of speaking in tongues. Before we get into HOW that is used, lets answer this wonderful but most basic question: How are the gifts of the Spirit operated most effectively?
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 1 Cor 13:1 NKJV
1 Corinthians twelve through fourteen could be viewed as one whole section dealing with spiritual matters, meaning gifts and ministries within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians thirteen deals with how those ministries and gifts are to be operated most effectively. I once heard a spiritual father, a man deep in faith, observe that he thought that a certain young Christian worship leader didn’t love the people he led in worship. You see, you can be the most talented, even in some ways the most anointed minister, but if its not out of the pure, agenda-less love of God, a love that searches for the benefit of those it loves, then you will not be effective. The love of God anoints the gifts of God.
In light of God’s love, let’s begin to consider the subject of super-intercession. As I understand it, ENTUGCHANO is used of general intercession, of making a generalized case before one concerning another. Jesus would say before the Father, “Father I shed My blood for the sins of the whole world, therefore receive them when they come to You through Me.” But super-intercession I believe becomes very specific, very narrow, very focused, such as, as the believers might have said, “Father, George Bailey is about to kill himself. Father, have mercy on him!”
True super-intercession is entirely Spirit led.
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. 1 Cor 14:14-15 NKJV
True super intercession can come two ways – as you are led by the Spirit to pray in your mother tongue, and as you pray in the Spirit with your divine prayer language.
And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.” Matt 21:22 NKJV
In Luke 22:32 Jesus did not pray in tongues. But he prayed very specifically concerning Peter as He was led by the Spirit. As I studied it I realized that there was no doubt in Jesus’ statement about the outcome of His prayer. It was a ‘done deal,’ and Peter appeared to have no particular role in the outcome. Jesus didn’t say, I prayed, AND IF YOU BELIEVE, your faith will not fail. No! He said, I prayed, your faith won’t fail, and in the end you’ll be fine. This teaches me that, whether its five seconds or five hours, I must pray until I know in my heart concerning the object of my intercession, that it is a ‘done deal.’ That’s love, by the way…
Now, lets get into this particular, used-only-once application of HUPERENTUGCHANO.
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession (Grk. HUPERENTUGCHANO) for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit (spirit of man, your spirit) is, because He makes intercession (Grk. ENTUGCHANO) for the saints according to the will of God. Rom 8:26-27 NKJV
‘He who searches the hearts’ is the Lord Jesus (Rev. 2:23). It would make no sense to say that Jesus understood the thoughts of the Holy Spirit. Of course He does! But Jesus understands YOUR THOUGHTS, the ones you hold in your spirit. Interestingly, I once laid hands on a man and clearly saw in my spirit an open heart that was under surgery. It turned out not to be the man’s heart, but the heart of someone that he loved, that he was thinking deeply about, that I was to minister to in that leading. Jesus knows the thoughts of your heart!
Now this becomes very important when it comes to super-fine, super focused, super intercession through the anointing of praying in tongues. We must remember that HUPERENTUGCHANO is only used in this context of praying in tongues, praying by the Spirit for what we know not. We’ve seen in application that you can also do this by revelation through your mother tongue, as Jesus did.
Now, passively thinking about nothing in particular while you are praying in tongues is fine. In fact, it can be quite relaxing and refreshing! This is how I do most of my daily praying in tongues. But when I want to pray for someone, or for some situation, then I hold that person or thing in mind, and then begin to pray in tongues. This is when I begin to make super-intercession for that person, thing, or situation…
Brethren, pray for (Grk. PERI: encircle) us. 1 Thess 5:25 NKJV
Paul is not saying, Pray for Timothy, Silvanus and myself in general. He is saying, Encircle us in prayer. In other words, line up with your shields of faith to surround us with spiritual protection. This is very fine, very narrow super intercession. Paul is saying, Hold us in mind – Paul, Timothy, Silvanus – and pray in the Spirit until you know we are protected, that you know that the purpose you are praying for is a ‘done deal.’ That’s the kind of super intercession that changes the fate of individuals, and changes the fate of nations. Love you!
Remember dear ones, we must be about our Father’s business…