What is intercession? In its simplest form, it is bringing someone to Jesus in prayer.
People were always bringing others to Jesus in the Bible:
“a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.”
“People brought all their sick to him“
“Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.”
Jesus wanted – and wants – people to come to Him:
Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him.
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
But people can’t always get to Jesus by themselves. They need an Intercessor [a person who intervenes on behalf of another, especially by prayer].
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? Romans 10:14a NIV
That’s where we come in. We bring others to Jesus in prayer.
People sometimes hesitate to pray for others (or for themselves!) because they don’t know what words to say. I believe that words are fine if you have them, but they are unnecessary if you don’t.
When they ran out of wine at the wedding in Cana, Mary brought the problem to Jesus. She didn’t tell Him what to do; but she told the servants to obey Him.
Remember the people who brought their children to Jesus for His blessing? Holding someone up to God wordlessly is intercession. Sometimes words just get in the way. Don’t worry about them. Just carry your friend to God. Keep it simple.
Or “Help them,” “Bless them.” “Thank You.”
It doesn’t get any simpler than that.