Sermon Outlines

By Frederick F. Schwindt, Evangelist

INTERCESSORY PRAYER

1. The words of Samuel are most revealing on the duty to offer intercessory prayers:
   1. He considered it sin not to pray for his people.
   2. That our prayer should include others is taught in the Lord's prayer, "Our Father".
2. Our text offers very helpful information on:
   1. The prayer of intercession.
   2. And how one close to God looks upon our neglecting to pray for others.

1. Is enjoined in the word of God:
   1. No public service should close without the God directed benediction in Num. 6:22-26
   2. Note the instruction given to Job to make intercession for his friends - Job 42:8-10
   3. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee." - Ps. 122:6
   4. God's watchmen are dedicated to intercessory prayer - Isa. 62:6
   5. Note, carefully, the instructions to the ministers - Joel 2:17
2. The same instructions are found in what is commonly called The New Testament:
   1. "Pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." - Matt. 5:44
   2. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." - Eph. 6:18
   3. Timothy received specific instructions to have intercessory prayer made for kings and for all men - 1 Tim. 2:1
3. Vivid examples of intercessory prayer: Jacob - Gen. 47:7; 49 Moses - Num. 16:20-22 Abraham - Gen. 17:13-18; 18:23-32 Moses for Pharaoh - Ex. 8:12, 13, 30, 31 Solomon - 1 Ki. 8; 2 Chron. 6 Our blessed Saviour - John 17 The church - Acts 12:5-12
4. Intercessory prayers solicited: Pharaoh besought Moses to pray for him - Ex. 8:8, 28; 9:28; 10:17 By the children of Israel - Num. 21:7 By Israel of Samuel - 1 Sam. 12:19 Of the prophet by Jeroboam - 1 Ki. 13:6 Of Jeremiah by Zedekiah - Jer. 37:3 Of Peter by Simon Magus - Acts 8:24 Of the churches by Paul - Rom. 15:30-32; 2 Cor. 1:11; Eph. 6:19, 20; Col. 4:3

1. It is heartening to learn from the Bible that God honors the prayers of His people in behalf of others:
   1. Note how a condescending God allowed His friend Abraham to plead for Sodom and Gomorrah - Gen. 18:23-32
   2. How quickly God accepted Moses in his plea for rebellious Israel - Ex. 32:30-34
   3. How God, in mercy, heard the prayer of the man of God and restored the hand of wicked Jeroboam - 1 Ki. 13:6
   4. How He heard Elijah and gave rain to his people - 1 Ki. 18:41-46
2. The New Testament is full of life examples showing how God hears intercessory prayers:
   1. The plea of the centurion for his servant - Matt. 8:1-13
   2. The plea of a mother for her plagued daughter - Matt. 15:22-28
   3. The prayer of a heartbroken father for his son - Matt. 17:14-18
   4. The efforts of four who never stopped until they had their burden at the feet of Jesus - Mark 2:1-12
   5. Peter's plea for the Lord to raise Dorcas - Acts 9:36-41
   6. The churches' prayer for God's messengers - Acts 4:24-31
   7. But what does God know about our intercessory prayers? How many has He been pleased to answer?