Blog - They always ask if you pray, but do you know how to INTERCEDE?

"They always ask if you pray, but do you know how to INTERCEDE?"

Article Author: Jordan Knox

7/17/2026

Introduction

Welcome to EWPC’s blog series! My name is Jordan, one of the members of EWPC, and this week I will be discussing the act of intercession. If you are new to EWPC, the acronym stands for Elite Women Praying for Change, so this week’s topic feels very fitting. 

In this blog I will cover the following: what is the difference between prayer and intercession, why do we do either, practical applications of it in our lives, and end with a prayer of activation. I pray you'd discover your authority as an intercessor and begin taking back ground from the enemy through it. However, before we can understand intercession, we first have to understand prayer.

What is Prayer

Prayer is defined as personal conversation with God or when we express our thoughts, needs, and gratitude to Him. There are many passages in the bible that talk about prayer. For example, in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV Paul tells us that we ought to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for [us].” In other words, God commands us to pray all the time. 

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces. He instructs believers to "...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests..." showing us that prayer is one of the spiritual weapons God has given us.

Why do we pray? 

First, it is because prayer is what marks us as believers. We, unlike any other faith in the world, pray to a God that hears us. Isaiah said it very well in Isaiah 44:9-10 “How foolish are those who manufacture idols. These prized objects are really worthless … [the idols’] eyes are closed, and they cannot see.Their minds are shut, and they cannot think … [these people trust] something that can’t help [them] at all.” In Psalm 91:15 David recited that our God, in contrast, promises that “When they call on [Him], [He] will answer; [He] will be with [us] in trouble. [He] will rescue and honor [us].” 

As Christians, we have the most powerful tool of the universe - prayer. Because of what Jesus did on the cross, we can commune with God, and not only that, but he WILL RESPOND!

What is intercession? 

Intercession, on the other hand, is prayer on behalf of others or asking God to intervene. There are many examples of it in the bible, however my favorite example is with Daniel in chapters 9 & 10. For context, Daniel was a Jewish noble drafted by the Babylonians to serve in the Persian courts. In both chapters we see Daniel interceding on behalf of Israel, “O our God, hear your servant’s prayer! Listen as I plead. For your own sake, Lord, smile again on your desolate sanctuary” (Daniel 9:17). Daniel realizes the 70-year Babylonian exile prophesied by Jeremiah is nearly complete. He responds with a moving prayer of repentance for Israel's sins. 

After praying for over 3 weeks, we see, in Daniel 9:21-23, that an angel appears, “As I was praying, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the earlier vision, came swiftly to me at the time of the evening sacrifice. He explained to me, ‘Daniel, I have come here to give you insight and understanding. The moment you began praying, a command was given. And now I am here to tell you what it was, for you are very precious to God. Listen carefully so that you can understand the meaning of your vision.’ ”

In chapter 10, Daniel is interceding, again, for Israel. This time we see the effect that his intercessory prayers had on the spiritual realm. Despite praying for 21 days and getting no response, an angel told him, “... the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia” (Daniel 10:13). 

What I love about Daniel's story is it shows the power of intercessory prayer. Not only did God respond, but Daniel's prayers also stirred up resistance in the spiritual realm before the answer ever reached him. Daniel understood his authority and how to wield prayer as a weapon against the kingdom of darkness. The enemy hates intercession and would love for believers to stay ignorant of that power. So if intercession carries that kind of weight, the next question is: why do we do it?

Why do we intercede? 

As EWPC women, we intercede because we want God to move. We understand that prayer changes things. If we believe we serve a good God who hears and responds to our prayers, then when we want to see a shift in our nation, cities, families, bloodlines, schools, and workplaces etc. We ought to INTERCEDE! 

Matthew 18:19-20, Jesus says, “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” 

Intercession is an authority we’ve been given!

James 5:16 states, “The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” As believers, we are called to use this authority to intercede for others, bringing about God’s will and advancing His kingdom on earth. It’s a beautiful responsibility and privilege! 

Biblical Examples of Intercession

Some examples in the bible of intercession bringing about miraculous change include the following:

• Jesus  interceded for Peter that his faith would not fail (Luke 22: 31-32)

• Abraham pleaded for Sodom (Genesis 18:22–33)

• Moses interceded at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:15–22)

• Esther interceded for her people (Esther 4:16)

• The early church prayed for Peter's release, and he was miraculously freed (Acts 12)

How do we practically apply intercession in our lives?

Now as you’ve seen above, there are many forms of intercession, but I believe they can generally be grouped into five types: 

• nation/people

• individuals

• crisis situations

• spiritual renewal

• healing

Now that we know what intercession is, my question to you is this: Are you ready to bring about change through intercessory prayer? 

Here is an Activation Prayer that you can follow:

Lord God, thank you for sending your Son Jesus and for the finished work of the cross. Because of what You’ve done we now have authority over sin. Your word says what we loose on earth is loosed in heaven and what we bind on earth is bound in heaven. 

Holy Spirit, we want to be Elite Women who bring about change in our nations, cities, churches, families, and lives. We want to partner with you, take up our mantels as intercessors, and take back ground from the enemy. 

Holy Spirit, teach us how to intercede in prayer. Give us the words to pray. Embolden us to pray for the miraculous in our lives. May we be forever changed and activated in our authority as intercessors to see Your Kingdom come and Your will be done. In Jesus's name, Amen!