Intercessory Prayer: A Labor of Love and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: The Agony of Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is not a casual or easy task; it is a labor of love that often feels like a struggle or even agony. The Bible describes this as “struggling” or “wrestling” in prayer, using the same language as athletes in a contest. When you intercede for others, you are entering a spiritual wrestling ring, contending not just with your own limitations but also with real spiritual opposition. This struggle is not a sign that you are doing something wrong; rather, it is evidence that you are engaging in the deep, costly work of love that God calls us to. Like Epaphras, who “always struggles on your behalf in his prayers,” we are invited to labor for others, knowing that this kind of prayer is both difficult and deeply meaningful. [46:38]

Colossians 4:12-13 (ESV)
"Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life for whom you can “struggle” in prayer today, even if it feels costly or exhausting? Will you commit to intercede for them, trusting God with the outcome?

Day 2: Spiritual Warfare and Dependence in Prayer

Intercessory prayer is hard because it places us in the midst of real spiritual warfare, where we battle not just our own flesh but also the world and the devil. The Bible reminds us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil. At the same time, prayer exposes our deep need for God and challenges our self-sufficiency. Admitting our dependence on God can be uncomfortable, especially in a culture that prizes productivity and independence, but true intercession means humbling ourselves and asking for help, recognizing that prayer is not just preparation for greater work—it is the greater work. [53:50]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you most resist asking God for help? How can you intentionally lay down your self-reliance and invite God’s power into that struggle today?

Day 3: Intercession Seeks Intimacy and Maturity in Christ

The goal of intercessory prayer is not just to see circumstances change, but to see Christ formed in others and ourselves. When we pray for others, we are asking that they would stand mature and fully assured in the will of God—not just knowing what to do, but being deeply rooted in their identity as justified and adopted children of God. This kind of prayer seeks both intimacy with God and spiritual maturity, so that we are not tossed about by circumstances but are secure in God’s love and acceptance. Intercession is about praying that others (and ourselves) would experience the fullness of the gospel, standing complete in Christ and assured of His delight in us. [01:04:41]

Colossians 1:9-14 (ESV)
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to be reminded of their identity in Christ? How can you pray specifically for their assurance and maturity in the gospel today?

Day 4: The Potency of Prayer Flows from Christ’s Intercession

The true power of intercessory prayer does not come from our own effort or spiritual strength, but from the ongoing intercession of Jesus Christ for us. Jesus prayed for His followers while on earth and continues to intercede for us at the right hand of the Father. Because of His perfect life, sacrificial death, and resurrection, we have access to God and confidence that our prayers are heard. Our persistence in prayer is rooted in the assurance that Christ is our mediator, and that He is always praying for our protection, unity, and sanctification. This gives us hope and boldness to keep praying, even when answers are slow in coming. [01:14:59]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)
"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: How does knowing that Jesus is interceding for you right now change the way you approach God in prayer? What bold request can you bring to Him today, trusting in His advocacy?

Day 5: Receiving, Not Earning, God’s Grace in Prayer

At the heart of intercessory prayer—and all prayer—is the invitation to receive from God rather than strive to earn His favor. Like the symbol of baptism or the Lord’s Supper, prayer is a sign of God’s covenant commitment to us, not a test of our spiritual performance. We come to God not to wrestle blessings from His hand, but to receive what He delights to give: forgiveness, acceptance, and love through Christ. In prayer, we lay down our striving and rest in the finished work of Jesus, trusting that all that is necessary for our salvation and growth has already been accomplished. [01:20:40]

Romans 8:32 (ESV)
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?"

Reflection: Where are you tempted to try to earn God’s approval or blessing? How can you intentionally shift your posture today from striving to receiving His grace with open hands?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate the steadfast love of God, the assurance of our salvation in Christ, and the profound mystery and power of intercessory prayer. We began by witnessing the baptism of two children, River and Alan, a visible sign of God’s covenant faithfulness to His people and their families. Baptism, like a wedding ring, does not create the relationship but powerfully symbolizes the reality of God’s commitment and our belonging to His covenant community. It is a call to faithfulness, not only for the parents but for the entire church, as we promise to nurture, pray for, and encourage these children in the faith.

Turning to the theme of prayer, we explored the three dimensions of prayer: upward (adoration), inward (confession), and outward (intercession). Today, the focus was on the outward—intercessory prayer. Intercession is not a casual or easy task; it is a labor of love, often marked by struggle, exhaustion, and even agony. Scripture describes this as “struggling” or “wrestling” in prayer, not against God, but with Him and for others, contending against spiritual forces, our own pride, and the deep needs of those we love.

We considered why intercession is so hard: spiritual warfare is real, our hearts resist dependence on God, and true intercession is like the travail of childbirth—pushing, laboring, yearning for Christ to be formed in others. Yet, this agony is purposeful. The goal of intercessory prayer is not merely to change circumstances but to see others stand mature and fully assured in the will of God—to know their justification and adoption in Christ, to experience intimacy with God, and to grow in spiritual maturity.

The potency of intercessory prayer does not rest in our eloquence or persistence alone, but in the ongoing intercession of Jesus Himself. Christ’s entire life, death, and resurrection were acts of intercession, and even now He lives to make intercession for us. Our confidence in prayer is rooted in His finished work and His present advocacy. As we come to the Lord’s Table, we are reminded that all that is necessary for our salvation has been accomplished by Christ. We come not to strive, but to receive.

Key Takeaways

1. Intercessory Prayer Is a Labor of Love, Not a Quick Fix True intercession is not a matter of simply listing requests before God; it is a form of spiritual wrestling, marked by struggle and even exhaustion. This “agony” is not a sign of failure but of deep engagement in the spiritual battle for others. Like a woman in labor, we push in prayer for Christ to be formed in those we love, knowing that joy comes after the pain. [46:38]
2. Spiritual Warfare Is Real and Demands Our Dependence Intercessory prayer is hard because we are engaged in a real battle against spiritual forces, not just flesh and blood. Our Western mindset often resists this reality, but Scripture is clear: we need God’s power, not our own self-sufficiency. When we fail to pray, we subtly claim independence from God, but prayer humbles us and aligns us with the truth of our need. [50:17]
3. The Goal of Intercession Is Intimacy and Maturity in Christ When we pray for others, the deepest longing is not just for their circumstances to change, but for them to stand mature and fully assured in the will of God. This means knowing their justification and adoption in Christ, experiencing the fullness of the gospel, and growing in spiritual wisdom and love. Intercession seeks the transformation of hearts, not just the resolution of problems. [63:04]
4. The Potency of Prayer Is Rooted in Christ’s Intercession Our prayers are powerful not because of our persistence or technique, but because Jesus Himself intercedes for us. He prayed for us during His earthly life, interceded for us on the cross, and continues to do so at the right hand of the Father. Our confidence in prayer is anchored in His finished work and ongoing advocacy, not in our own spiritual performance. [72:33]
5. We Are Called to Receive, Not to Strive, at the Table of Grace The Lord’s Supper reminds us that all that is necessary for our salvation has been accomplished by Christ. We bring nothing but our need; we come to receive, not to earn or strive. This posture of humble reception is the same posture we must bring to prayer—trusting in God’s grace, not our own efforts, and resting in the assurance of His love. [80:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Opening Song and Prayer
[03:00] - Baptism Introduction
[06:00] - The Meaning of Covenant and Baptism
[13:00] - Baptism of River and Alan
[17:00] - Prayer for the Baptized Children
[19:00] - Introduction to Prayer Series
[22:00] - Three Dimensions of Prayer
[25:00] - The Agony of Intercession
[32:00] - Wrestling in Prayer: Biblical Examples
[38:00] - Spiritual Warfare and Dependence
[45:00] - The Travail of Intercessory Prayer
[53:00] - The Goal: Intimacy and Maturity
[63:00] - The Potency of Prayer
[72:00] - Christ’s Intercession for Us
[78:00] - Confession and Assurance
[80:00] - The Lord’s Supper: Receiving Grace
[88:00] - Closing Prayer and Song
[92:00] - Sending and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Colossians 4:12-13 (ESV) — > Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

Galatians 4:19 (ESV) — > My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

Romans 8:34 (ESV) — > Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Observation Questions

In Colossians 4:12, what word does Paul use to describe Epaphras’s prayer for the church, and what does this suggest about the nature of intercessory prayer? ([44:44])
According to Galatians 4:19, what metaphor does Paul use to describe his prayer for the Galatians, and what does this reveal about his emotional investment? ([54:58])
In Romans 8:34, what is Jesus doing right now for believers, and why is this significant for our understanding of prayer? ([01:14:59])
The sermon described baptism as a sign of God’s covenant faithfulness, not something that creates the relationship. What other symbol was used to help explain this idea? ([22:00])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Paul describe intercessory prayer as “struggling” or “agonizing”? What does this teach us about what to expect when we pray for others? ([44:44])
The sermon said that intercessory prayer is like “the travail of childbirth.” What does this metaphor communicate about the process and purpose of praying for others? ([54:58])
According to the sermon, what is the ultimate goal of intercessory prayer for others—what are we really asking God to do in their lives? ([01:03:04])
How does knowing that Jesus is interceding for us right now (Romans 8:34) change the way we approach our own prayers for others? ([01:14:59])

Application Questions

The sermon described intercessory prayer as a “labor of love” that can be exhausting and difficult. Can you share a time when praying for someone else felt like a struggle or hard work? What kept you going? ([44:44])
Spiritual warfare was described as a real reason why intercessory prayer is hard. In what ways do you experience resistance or distraction when you try to pray for others? How can you recognize when this is happening? ([50:17])
The sermon challenged us to admit our dependence on God instead of trying to “accomplish things without Him.” Are there areas in your life where you tend to rely on your own strength instead of prayer? What would it look like to invite God into those areas this week? ([53:50])
Paul’s goal in prayer was for others to “stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.” When you pray for people, do you focus more on their circumstances or on their spiritual growth? How could you shift your prayers to align more with Paul’s example? ([01:03:04])
The sermon said that the power of our prayers comes not from our own effort, but from Jesus’s ongoing intercession for us. How does this truth encourage you or challenge you in your prayer life? ([01:12:33])
At the Lord’s Table, we are called to “receive, not strive.” How can you bring this same posture of humble reception into your times of prayer this week? ([01:20:40])
The whole church promised to nurture, pray for, and encourage the baptized children. Is there someone in our church family (a child, a new believer, or someone struggling) that you feel called to pray for regularly? What is one step you can take to support them this week? ([28:30])

Sermon Clips

Children of believing parents have interest in the covenant of grace under the gospel of Jesus, not less than Abraham's descendants in the Old Testament, but even more. Even Peter in his Pentecost sermon said, the promise is for you and for your children, for everyone that the Lord calls to himself. And Paul, when he preached to the Philippian jailer, he said, believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household. [00:29:53] (28 seconds) #CovenantPromiseForAll

So your experience of feeling exhausted sometimes when you pray, your experience matches what you study in scripture. It's a struggle. You know this Greek word, actually. We have it in English. The word is agonizomai. What word do you hear in that word? Agony. Did you know that in ancient Greece, in this day and age, a wrestling ring was called the agonai. Wrestlers were called antagonists. You hear the word agony. I only realized that this week as I was studying Greek. I was like, oh my goodness, the word agony is in the word antagonist. Literally, ant against agony. Antagonists. They're literally struggling against one another. That's what wrestlers do in the agony. And so when you go to prayer in intercession, you are in essence getting into a wrestling ring. [00:46:18] (61 seconds) #PrayerIsSpiritualWrestling

When you are struggling in prayer, you are not wrestling against God, though you may well be wrestling with him. That's not just playing on semantics. God is not your antagonist. You might wrestle with him as you learn to submit your will to him. But he's not against you. The Bible's very clear on that, isn't it? Romans chapter eight. Think about the prophecy of Isaiah as well, but God is for you. He's not against you. [00:48:00] (45 seconds) #GodIsForYouNotAgainst

Spiritual warfare is real and we battle real, personal evil, an enemy in prayer. I love the way that one writer puts it. John Piper says prayer is a wartime walkie talkie, not a domestic intercom. You understand what he means there, right? What you're doing when you pray is you're calling upon God, like someone on the battlefield is calling for air support. What you're not doing is writing a Christmas list. [00:51:42] (35 seconds) #PrayerIsWartimeCommunication

What you're implying when you don't intercede, when you don't ask, when you don't pray, is you're attempting to make God less than he is and you are attempting to make yourself more than you are. It seems like that was the most ancient form of rebellion at the tree, isn't it? It's just us repackaging it. We don't like to ask. We don't like to admit our dependence, our need for God. [00:54:15] (31 seconds) #DependenceNotRebellion

When you intercede for other people, you're letting them know that they're not alone. Prayer, intercessory prayer is an agony, but intercession is also after intimacy and maturity. That's what it's seeking. [00:59:56] (17 seconds) #IntercessionBringsIntimacyMaturity

Intimacy that you would know God in Christ not only accepts you, but he delights in you. He nods in you. God only acquits us as a judge, he loves us as a father. [01:05:58] (16 seconds) #GodLovesYouUnconditionally

It's not that there's something wrong with us. I want you to ask yourself the question, how often do you think about Jesus's intercession for you? You wanna know where the power for intercessory prayer comes from? It's the power that comes from everything else in the Christian life. It comes from him. [01:12:40] (24 seconds) #MealRemindsOfChristsIntercession

When Jesus was hung up on the cross, he was interceding, he was intervening, he was mediating, he was standing literally hanging between us and the father to bring us to him. And so the reason that you can trust your prayers would be heard is not because you're super spiritual, but because God is your loving father. Christ is your righteous mediator and he has given us access to the throne of the universe through the spirit who resides in us. [01:15:38] (38 seconds) #ComeReceiveSalvationInChrist

Jesus is laboring in prayer for you right now. He labored in prayer on the cross his whole life, even his death was a labor of interceding love. Intercession is an agony. It's for intimacy and maturity. And there is a potency to it and it comes through the gospel of Jesus. [01:16:17] (27 seconds)

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the significance of baptism as a covenant symbol?

How does prayer function as a spiritual wormhole?

Why is intercession described as a labor of love?