1 Timothy 2: 1 says, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, What is the prayer of intercession?”

The prayer of intercession means to pray for others (if God permits, even on behalf of others) led by the spirit of God according to the will of God.

Why should we intercede?

God wants us to intercede and this is because, God is full of love and at the same time God is righteous.

God is full of love and He wants nobody to perish (Ezekiel 18:23).

God is righteous. Now, what does it mean for God to be righteous?

Malachi 3:6 says, "For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed."

The righteousness of God is that He does not change and He is bound by Himself that He will not go beyond what He has decreed. And one such instance we see in Matthew 3: 14-15, "But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness." Then John consented."

Here we see Jesus the Holy One himself being baptised into a 'baptism of repentance' (Acts 19:4).

On one hand, God is righteous to the extent that He will not relent from His decrees even if it is painful to Him.

• To chase man out of the Garden of Eden was painful to God.
• To see souls going to hell is certainly painful to God.

But at the other hand our God is full of love:

• That’s why God thought of sending a Saviour when He chased man out of the garden
• That’s why God’s love compels men and women to preach the gospel risking their own lives to save souls from going to hell.

God’s righteousness and God’s love are inseparable from each other.

God's righteousness (God’s decree) said, just like sin entered through one man, all men may have eternal life through the death of one righteous man. But God's love gave His only son Jesus to be that one righteous man.

Today even though God's righteousness says that all men can be saved through the blood of JESUS and God's love cries that all men should be saved, it is also God’s righteousness that, Salvation and forgiveness of sins cannot be inherited by one if it is not willingly asked for.

So, now God’s love is rising up:

• preachers (Romans 10:14) on one hand who would preach the gospel leading people to repentance
• Intercessors (1 Timothy 2:1) on the other hand who would ask (Numbers 14:20) that God would forgive men and open their eyes and hearts to see their need for the Saviour and stand strong to the end.

So, here comes the need for an intercessor.

Intercession is a special call of God.  Do not delay to act, if God is calling you to intercede knowing that it is the heart of the righteous and loving God.