Intercession is the biblical practice of praying for God to forgive or spare a people or land, it was often after a warning that profoundly moved prophets and led them to repent and pray passionately. The following are some of the most notable examples of biblical figures interceding:
- Abraham's Intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:22-33): Abraham pleaded with God to spare the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah if even a few righteous people could be found there.
- Moses' Intercession for the Israelites (Exodus 32:11-14): When the Israelites sinned by making a golden calf, Moses interceded on their behalf, asking God to spare them from destruction.
- Joshua's Intercession for Israel (Joshua 7:6-9): After Israel suffered defeat at Ai, Joshua interceded before God, concerned about the impact on the nation's reputation and the confidence of their enemies.
- Samuel's Intercession for Israel (1 Samuel 7:5-9): Samuel called on the people of Israel to repent and turn away from their idols, interceding for them to be saved from the Philistines.
- David's Intercession for Israel (2 Samuel 24:17): When David saw the angel of the Lord bringing destruction upon Israel for his sin of taking a census, he interceded and pleaded for the punishment to be directed upon him instead.
- Solomon's Prayer at the Dedication of the Temple (1 Kings 8:22-61): Solomon's prayer included intercession for the land of Israel, asking God to hear their prayers and forgive their sins.
- Elijah's Prayer for Rain (1 Kings 18:41-46): Elijah interceded for rain after a prolonged drought, praying earnestly on behalf of the land and its people.
- Isaiah's Intercession for Judah (Isaiah 53:12): Isaiah prophesied about the suffering servant who would intercede for the transgressors, bearing their iniquities.
- Jeremiah's Intercession for Jerusalem (Jeremiah 14:7-9): Jeremiah interceded for the land of Judah, pleading with God to remember His covenant and not abandon His people.
- Jesus' Intercession for His Disciples and Believers (John 17:9-26): In His high priestly prayer, Jesus interceded for His disciples and for all who would believe in Him, asking for their protection, unity, and sanctification.
Intercessions come with dramatic results. God repeatedly shows that He listens to such prayers, answersing them in often unforeseen ways that clearly displays to all that He alone is the Lord and He is mighty, graceful, loving and true.