Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (Romans 8:26 – KJV)

We see here that there is a realm in deeper prayer and intercession where the Holy Spirit actually “takes hold together with us against” our “weakness and inability to produce results.” Although the written Word of God reveals God’s general will to us in all areas of life common to man, all of us have faced situations where we did not know precisely what to pray for. One situation or the other has neither been anti-Biblical. In these situations regarding personal guidance and direction, God’s specific and personal will for us as individuals, we must rely on the Holy Spirit. And in situations where we are praying for the lives of others, we must also rely on the Holy Spirit’s prompting and direction in prayer.

For the hurt of the daughter of my people am I hurt; I am black; astonishment hath taken hold on me. (Jeremiah 8:21 – KJV)

Many times in intercession, God will allow us to “enter in” to another’s experience of the moment. Often, we may feel what they feel, experience some sensation in our bodies where they are having difficulty, or sense their emotional state. Although it might happen occasionally where anyone we are praying for is concerned, it is especially true of those whom God has placed us in close intimate covenant relationship with. How many times have I been called and asked, “What’s going on? I am sensing what you are going through and I am praying for you!” How thankful we should be for those deep connections in the Spirit that God has placed in our lives! In the last six months, I have become even more aware and even more thankful for that kind of “connection.”

Jeremiah “hurt” with the “hurt” of his people. He was “astonished” in identification with those for whom he was praying. Not only can we intercede for individuals, but we are also to intercede for our nation. Jeremiah knew that God’s people were soon to go into captivity and he identified with them through intercession. It was only after God spoke to Jeremiah three times to “pray not for this people” that Jeremiah accepted that the nation would indeed reap the harvest of judgment for which it had sowed.

This shows us three important principles. First, there is MUCH more power and authority available to us to be exercised through Spirit-led intercession that what any of us have yet realized. Why would God tell Jeremiah to “stop praying” if Jeremiah’s prayers had no effect or influence in the Heavenly Realm? Second, we must accept that sometimes (in my experience it has been VERY rare) God might say, “Stop praying,” because decisions were made by others that were out of our control, and that have become irreversible. Sometimes the choices people make set wheels in motion that cannot be turned back, even if the people themselves come to genuine repentance. For example, a murderer can certainly receive God’s Forgiveness and Mercy. But that does not return the one murdered to life, nor does it necessarily ameliorate all of the temporal consequences of that wicked choice. And third, we see that even though we might through intercession hold back judgment and extend the space for men to repent (Ezekiel 22:30-31), we may not be able to hold it back forever. If repentance is rejected, those for whom we have been praying will eventually reap what they have sowed. Here, too, we must be sensitive to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit of God as He takes hold with us in prayer.

We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts and from thy judgments… (Daniel 9:5 – KJV)

Another way that we might “identify” in intercession with those for whom we pray is through the principle of “vicarious repentance.” In this passage, Daniel identifies with his people and confesses sins which he had not personally committed. He prays a repentance prayer on behalf of his people. For example, we can stand in the gap for our nation and repent for the sin of abortion, even though we may not have personally committed that sin. We can stand in the gap in repentance for sexual perversion, or the corruption of so many political leaders, even though we may not have personally been involved in committing those specific sins.

If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. (I John 5:16 – KJV)

This is a passage of Scripture that has not been preached on very often except by a limited few. Although ultimately, the choice is up to each individual to make, through intercessory prayer we can ask God’s forgiveness, and thus extend the space individuals have to repent. In effect, through intercession we can hold back fullness of judgment and extend Mercy. Yet, as in Jeremiah’s case, there may come a time when we know by the Spirit of God that a “sin unto death” has been committed, and thus we are instructed to “stop praying.” Again, in my experience, this has been VERY rare.

Let me encourage you to stay in the place of prayer until you know “in your knower” that the Holy Spirit is actually “taking hold together with you.” Simply praying in tongues for just a few seconds every so often will not get you there. But if you will pray what you know from the Word of God, and then pray in other tongues until this realm begins to drop away, and as the old hymn writer declared, “the things of earth grow strangely dim,” you will find yourself in a place where you are praying beyond your human knowledge, beyond your human intellect, and even beyond your present “measure” of faith. You will rise into another realm, and your prayers will not merely be “earth to Heaven,” but will begin to be “Heaven to earth.” Many have prayed until they began to get into that realm and then said, “Whew. I got there. I’m through praying.” NO! When you get over into the realm of the Spirit you are just getting ready to START praying in a higher dimension! At times you will be aware that you are praying out in English the interpretation of what you were praying in other tongues. Sometimes “travail” will overtake you, with weepings and groanings. Other times, a note of victory will be hit through supernatural laughter and spontaneous singing. It is through these kinds of Spirit-directed prayer, especially as we “symphonize” corporately, that we will begin to see atmospheres shift over regions, and lives transformed by the Power of God! Be Blessed!