A call to intercession comes when God places someone’s desperate need on our hearts and invites us to pray on their behalf. Many believers hear about others’ problems but never feel moved to pray beyond a quick “God bless them” prayer.

However, true intercession requires much more than casual concern. When we receive a genuine calling to stand in the gap for others, it should move us to sustained and passionate prayer.

This devotional will help you recognize when God is calling you to intercede and how to respond with effective prayer that brings real change.

A Call to Intercession: Key Takeaway

  • God calls ordinary believers to extraordinary intercession that can change circumstances and save lives through persistent, faith-filled prayer.

Anchor Bible Verse of the day

And he gave her a copy of the written decree for their destruction, which was given at Shushan, that he might show it to Esther and explain it to her, and that he might command her to go in to the king to make supplication to him and plead before him for her people.

— Esther 4:8 (NKJV)

Mordecai gave Esther the death decree against the Jewish people, asking her to intercede with King Ahasuerus for their lives. This moment represents one of history’s most crucial calls to intercession.

Esther faced an impossible choice: risk her own life by approaching the king uninvited, or watch her people face complete destruction. Mordecai’s request shows us that intercession often requires personal sacrifice and courage to act when others cannot help themselves.

Key Explanations

  • A copy of the written decree for their destruction: The official death sentence that made intercession necessary for survival
  • That he might show it to Esther and explain it to her: Making sure the intercessor fully understands the gravity and urgency of the situation
  • Command her to go in to the king: The specific action required for effective intercession in this desperate circumstance
  • Make supplication to him and plead before him for her people”: The heart of intercession – earnest begging and pleading for mercy on behalf of others

A Call to Intercession: A Reflection

Receiving a call to intercession means God has chosen you to stand between His justice and someone’s desperate need, just as He called Esther to save her people from destruction. This divine invitation comes with both great privilege and serious responsibility.

When we feel compelled to pray for specific people or situations, we must recognize this as God’s way of involving us in His redemptive work for others who cannot help themselves.

The apostle Paul understood this principle when he wrote in 1 Timothy 2:1,

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men.

Paul’s instruction shows us that a call to intercession is not optional for believers but a fundamental part of our Christian responsibility. Like Esther, we may be the only ones positioned to pray effectively for certain people or situations.

When we receive a call to intercession, our response should mirror Esther’s courage and determination.

She didn’t make excuses about the personal risk or complain about the difficulty of her assignment. Instead, she prepared herself through fasting and enlisted others to join her in seeking God’s intervention.

Similarly, we must take intercessory prayer seriously enough to sacrifice our comfort and convenience for the sake of those who need God’s mercy.

The story of Abraham interceding for Sodom and Gomorrah provides another powerful example of responding to a call to intercession.

When God revealed His plan to destroy these cities, Abraham boldly negotiated with God, asking Him to spare the cities if righteous people could be found. Abraham’s persistence in prayer demonstrates that effective intercession often requires sustained effort and bold faith that refuses to give up easily.

As believers today, we must be sensitive to a call to intercession when it comes. This might involve:

  • Praying for family members struggling with addiction,
  • Interceding for our nation’s leaders, or
  • Standing in the gap for churches experiencing spiritual attack.

The key is recognizing that our prayers can make the difference between life and death, victory and defeat, blessing and curse for those we intercede on behalf of.

Like Esther, we must be willing to risk our comfort and step into spiritual warfare through persistent prayer and fasting when God calls us to intercede for others.

Blessings..!

Call to Action

  • Listen for God’s call to intercede today and respond with immediate, sustained prayer for those He places on your heart.

Affirmation

  • I accept God’s call to intercession, knowing my prayers can bring breakthrough and deliverance for those who need God’s mercy.

Prayer Point for Today

  • Standing in the Gap: Ask God to show you who needs your intercession today and give you the courage to pray persistently for their breakthrough.

Let’s pray

Our Father, like Esther, received a call to intercession for her people. Help us recognize when You are calling us to stand in the gap for others. Give us the courage to pray with persistence and faith for those who desperately need Your intervention.

In the precious and mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

My prayer for you today: I pray that you will recognize a call to intercession when God places someone’s need on your heart today.