Fall 2005
Present Call for Intercessors
Wade E Taylor

Today, more than at any previous time, there is an urgent need for intercessors. During each transition, from one age into another, there has been a time of intense intercession to birth the age that is about to begin. As we are presently beginning to transition from the Church Age into the Kingdom Age, which the enemy seeks to hinder and greatly resists, intense intercession is needed to “hasten” the day of the Lord.

Intercession is at the heart of the end-time intervention of our Lord, and is the “enabling” that will release and make a way for the Lord to enter the affairs of man. Just as John the Baptist was raised up as a “forerunner” of the birth and ministry of Jesus, so in our day, a corporate John - “intercessors,” are being raised up.

These intercessors will become a “gateway” through whom the Lord will greatly affect and alter the affairs of individuals and nations, in order to prepare them for their place and function in the Millennial Kingdom of God.

A ministry of intercession can be compared, in its purpose and function, to a woman giving birth. Thus, the desired result of intercession is a birthing - the working out (birthing) of a burden that had been imparted and carried within.

“And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.

“And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon ... and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up to God, and to His throne.” Revelation 12:1-5

“The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, He shall stir up jealousy like a man of war. He shall cry, yea, roar; He shall prevail against His enemies. I have long time held My peace; I have been still and refrained Myself. now will I cry like a travailing woman.” Isaiah 42:13-14a

The woman in Revelation chapter 12 is giving intercessory birth, not to a baby, but rather to a spiritually mature “man-child,” who through direct divine intervention, is caught up and empowered to rule all nations with a rod of iron. We are approaching the time when this will take place; thus, the urgency and need for intercession at this present time.

This “man-child” is a fully matured and qualified body (overcomers), of whom Jesus had become the active head. The “catching up” can be thought of as being a “rapture,” not away from the earth in escape, but our being “lifted” to rule nation's in power and authority.

Intercessors have a vital part in the birthing and bringing forth, of these spiritually mature “overcomers” who have been tested and proven as being able to “rightly handle” spiritual authority and power.

“And he that overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron.” Revelation 2:26-27a

It may be said that the shortage within the Church of those who are spiritually mature, is due to a lack of understanding and concern about the dire need for intercessors, and as a result, the failure to make room for, and release, those who are intercessors into the full outworking of their calling and ministry.

The woman in Revelation 12:1 is clothed with the Sun (Son - direct revelation). This speaks of the garment of the Bride, who has “made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7-8). She has the moon under her feet (moon - reflected, or indirect revelation). This tells us that she is hearing directly from the Lord, rather than responding to others, who have heard about the Lord.

The “woman” who gives birth to this “man-child” is a powerful body of intercessors, within the present day church. This speaks of spiritually mature intercessors, who are burdened to bring into manifestation the end-time purpose of the Lord through overcomers - those who will be caught up into a realm of Kingdom end-time spiritual authority.

“And he that overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron.” Revelation 2:26-27a

These overcomers in chapter two of Revelation are doing the same thing as the man-child in Revelation 12:5. Therefore, it can be said that they are one and the same; but are seen from two different perspectives. This makes the ministry of intercession extremely important in the last days.

Intercession is very different from prayer. We may rightly say at any time, “Let us pray.” But we cannot say, “Let us intercede.” Intercession is imparted by the Lord, and is the sharing of a present burden of the Lord, and therefore, must be responded to when given.

In intercession, we become “pregnant” with a burden that is given to us by the Lord. Then we travail, or groan-in-delivery, until it is accomplished. Thus, intercession is unpleasant and should be exercised as much as possible, in private. If a person, while in a meeting, begins to feel an intercessory burden, if possible without affecting the intercession, they should quietly slip out of the service into a place where the “travail” will not disturb others - unless this intercession directly relates to the service in progress.

There is no set pattern as to how intercession works in those who intercede. The Holy Spirit will only intercede “through” those who are both willing and cooperative.

At this present time, the Lord is raising up those who are being burdened for intercession, both individually and corporately.

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit Itself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

“And He that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:26-27

Are you willing to make yourself available to the Lord for this urgently needed ministry of intercession?

May each of us prayerfully consider this need, and then make ourselves available to the Lord to be used in “intercession.”

To do so, simply tell the Lord, in prayer, that you are both available and willing. Then when you feel, deep within, an intercessory burden begin to stir, come apart and allow the Holy Spirit to move upon you, until that for which you are burdened is birthed.

In “that day,” all creation will rejoice with you, for your faithfulness to this intercessory calling.