Prayer doesn’t create the future, but it can cause a shift to occur around us. God made it clear: If His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Intercession can encompass our prayers for loved ones, our spouse, children, neighbors, co-workers, or even the entire city. The Bible is full of these examples.

Examples of Intercession in Scripture

• Job interceded for his friends (Job 42:10).
• Abraham interceded for Sodom (Genesis 18:23-32) and for Abimelech (Genesis 20:17-18).
• Moses interceded for Pharaoh (Exodus 8, 9, 10) and Israel (Numbers 16, 21).
• Samuel interceded for Israel (1 Samuel 7:5).
• David interceded for Israel (2 Samuel 24:17).
• Solomon interceded for Israel (1 Kings 8:28-53).
• Ezra interceded for Israel (Ezra 9:5-15).
• Jesus intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:2)
• The Holy Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26-27).

We also see in Ezekiel 22:30-31, “I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none.” This passage and the many examples throughout the Bible make it clear that God is looking for intercessors.

What is Intercession?

So what is intercession? Intercession is bringing requests before God on behalf of others. Rather than simply praying for our own needs and praising God, which often characterizes devotional prayer, this type of prayer is often known as “standing in the gap for others” as seen in Ezekiel 22. Iniquity causes an outcry against a city and intercession causes a cry for mercy, repentance, and revival. Intercession is a cup filled with prayers, tears, and repentance, leading God to forgive, heal, and break through.

Here are a few of the things to keep in mind when interceding from the book of Daniel.

1. Intercession Should Be in Response to God’s Word

The book of Daniel 9:2 shows that Daniel understood God’s plan through Scripture and began to pray for it to happen. It’s important to understand that true intercession is not based on problems that arise but on God’s promises that exist.

2. Intercession Should Be Characterized by Brokenness

We also see that Daniel humbled himself, wept, and repented before the Lord. He did not demand or bind things while he was in this stage. He simply chose to weep and humble himself before the Lord. Daniel 9:3 says, “I set my face toward the Lord God to make a request by prayer, supplication with fasting sackcloth and ashes.”

3. Intercession Should Be Marked with Fasting

Next it’s important to know that fasting fuels intercession.

In Daniel 9:3 we see that as Daniel sought the Lord and made supplication, he also fasted. Something happens spiritually when you couple fasting with your intercession.

4. Intercession Should Be Identified with God’s People

Next, I want you to notice a subtle distinction that Daniel makes in Daniel 9. He uses the words “we” and “us” 22 times in that chapter. Notice that he didn’t pray, “God save them,” but “Lord, forgive our land.”

In other words, intercession identifies with others. We see in other examples in Scripture that as Moses interceded he asked for mercy on Israel.

5. Intercession Doesn’t Involve Engaging Second Heaven Warfare

Lastly, I want to discourage you from entering into second heaven warfare, attempting to bind principalities and rulers. I do not believe that the Scripture instructs believers to do this. Rather, the Bible is clear on what we are called to do when standing in the gap for others. This is: humble ourselves, fast, cry for mercy, and appeal to God. When we do that, God promises to hear from heaven and responds to our prayers.

I pray this encourages you. May the Lord give you grace as you stand in the gap for those who need it.

Read: The Power of Short Prayers