“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” 1 Timothy 2:1 NIV
“Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:30-31 NIV
SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!
On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses appeared to talk with Jesus. Moses’ life shows us what it means to meet with God personally and then pray for others powerfully. (You can listen to the podcast about Moses here.) Centuries prior to the Transfiguration, long before Paul ever wrote our theme verses about interceding for all people, Moses modeled prayer that intercedes. He climbed the mountain to meet with God, longing to know Him more deeply. “Now show me Your glory,” he prayed in Exodus 33:18. Intimate encounters with God preceded Moses’ intercession for others. So, when God’s people sinned, Moses was ready to stand in the gap and plead for mercy. So, the New Testament command for intercession is a continuation of this same heart of prayer. Just as Moses met with God and carried His heart back down to the people, we too are invited to enter God’s presence and pray for His mercy in the lives of those entrusted to us. Let’s spend time with the Lord and “Seek Him” specifically about intercession right now.
WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?
Prayer starts with personal devotion then leads to participating with God’s heart for others. Paul urges believers to pray through “petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for all people.” Intercession, in particular, is standing between heaven and earth and between God’s holiness and people’s need. Moses shows us what that looks like. When he talked with the Lord “face to face, as one speaks to a friend” (Exodus 33:11), Moses’ prayer life was shaped by God’s presence. Out of that, when the people of Israel sinned, “Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him to keep his wrath from destroying them” (Psalm 106:23). Intimacy with God led to intercession for others. Moses saw God’s glory, then he reflected God’s mercy. ~ What does it mean to you that God invites you to stand between Him and others by intercession in prayer? How did Moses’ friendship with God help him intercede differently? When Paul says to pray for all people, who comes to mind for you? What does this passage reveal about God’s desire to partner with us through prayer?
WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?
God wants His people to share His heart for the world. What’s more, when we intercede, we are doing what Jesus Himself does: stand before the Father on behalf of others. Scripture says Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us (Hebrews 7:25 NIV). Moses’ story points us toward Jesus, the Greatest Intercessor. On the Mount of Transfiguration, where Moses stood beside Jesus, God’s voice declared, “This is My Son. Listen to Him.” Moses’ life was a shadow of what Jesus fulfills perfectly, as He interceded not just for a nation, but for all humanity. When we pray for others, we’re joining that same divine mission. Intercession reflects the character of God. It moves us beyond self-focused prayer to purpose-filled intercession for others. ~ Why do you think God allows us to share in His work through prayer instead of doing everything without us? Why was it important for Moses to see God’s glory before he could intercede for the people? How does Jesus’ ongoing intercession inspire you to pray more boldly for others? Why might God use your prayers to bring mercy or change in someone else’s life?
HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?
We must start where Moses started: in God’s presence. Ask the Lord, “Show me Your glory,” like Moses did. As you “Seek Him,” allow His Spirit to place people, situations, and even nations, on your heart, then prayerfully stand in the gap for them. Like Moses, let God’s glory shape how you pray for others. The more you know Him, the more your heart will echo His heart of grace, compassion, and truth. ~ Where will you create space to meet with God in prayer today? Who is one person you can intercede for today, and what specific need will you bring before God? How might your prayers change if you asked God first to show you His glory before you intercede?
SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!
Scripture tells us that a young man named Joshua watched Moses’ example of meeting with God and interceding for others. Long after Moses left the tent of meeting, Joshua continued seeking intimacy with God (Exodus 33:11). Our lives of prayerful intercession can impact the next generation of pray-ers, too. When we follow Moses’ example of prayer that intercedes, we will better learn what it means to stand in the gap. People are watching us, just like Joshua watched Moses. So let’s spend time with God and “Seek Him Speak Him.” Seek God’s presence then set an example of prayers that reflect His heart. May those entrusted to us see the glory of God through the way we lead and intercede in prayer, drawing others with us closer to the One who still invites us up the mountain.
Up Next:
TRANSFIGURATION PRAYER: Elijah Teaches Us to BELIEVE through Prayer” (Convo #3)
