Before beginning, understand and claim Christ's authority

• Jesus sits at God's "right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And God has placed all things under His feet" (Ephesians 1:20-22)
• Jesus said, "I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:13)
• The Bible says Jesus sits at that "right hand of God…interceding for us" (Romans 8:34)
• In fact, Jesus lives to make intercession for those who draw near to God (Hebrew 7:25)
• How blessed we are that Jesus has given us His authority in intercession.

1. Invite the Holy Spirit to inhabit and lead the prayer time

• Command anything that is not of the Spirit to leave "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7)

2. Worship and praise God

• "Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise" (Psalm 100:4)
• Listening to/ singing praise songs soften our hearts
• The angels, saints, and other heavenly beings in Revelation praise, praise, praise! (Revelation 4:8-11; 5:6-14; 7-9:12…)
• Praise routes the enemy! "As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemy, and they were defeated" (2nd Chronicles 20:22)
• God inhabits the praise of His people

3. Purify our hearts

• "Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart…" (Psalm 24:2-4)
• Ask the Holy Spirit to convict you of anything that might hinder your communion with God
• Repent of anything the Holy Spirit showed you and allow Him to cleanse you

4. Intercede

• In faith, pray prayer requests
• Ask God to open your eyes to some prayer requests that you may not be aware of and pray for those prayer requests as well
• Allow the Holy Spirit to lead this time of intercession
• Claim God's promises for the person/situation/organization/nation
• Praying scripture aloud is powerful- in doing so, you wield the 'sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17)

5. End the prayer time by giving God the glory

References on being an effective intercessor:
Touch the World Through Prayer by Wesley Duewel
The Calvary Road by Roy Hession
The Divine Intercessor by Gary Wilkerson
Principles for Intercession by Esther S, found on the North Korea Missions Site (http://www.nkmissions.com)