Hebrews 10:19
". . . having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus . . ."
When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two. That veil existed for separation — it marked the holy place of God where only the appointed and anointed priest could enter. He alone served as the intercessor for the people. No one else was allowed inside.
The veil was torn the moment Jesus took on the sin of the world and gave His life for us all. In that moment, Jesus became our High Priest — the only One. Now we pray in Jesus’ name because He is our intercessor, the One who stands before the Father on our behalf. Vicarious means “done on behalf of someone else,” and intercession means “standing before God for someone else.” Jesus’ vicarious intercession for us is what allows our prayers to reach God’s throne.
This is why we can come boldly before the throne of God Almighty — yet boldness must always be joined with humility. Awe, gratitude, and reverence should fill our hearts as we approach the Holy One — the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. Closeness with God is a privilege — one Jesus purchased for us at the highest cost.
As we enter into intercessory prayer for others — specifically for their salvation and the turning of their hearts toward God — we must not pray from mere sympathy or personal desire. Intercession is not asking God to fulfill our emotional wishes for someone. It is aligning ourselves with God’s interests for their soul: their heart, their salvation, and their sanctification.
We pray that the Lord will draw them close, soften their heart, and turn them toward Himself. Whether they are unsaved or saved but wandering, the prayer is the same. We keep God’s purpose at the center. If we pray from sympathy alone, we risk losing the vital connection to God’s will in that person’s life.
We cannot see the hidden things of God. We can only ask Him to work, to draw, to convict, and to restore. Intercessory prayer keeps our own hearts soft and humble, and it engages us in spiritual battles on behalf of others. God could do all of this without us — but for our sake, He invites us to participate.
While this devotional focuses on intercessory prayer for the soul, Scripture absolutely affirms praying for practical needs as well. It is good and right to pray for someone’s health, safety, provision, home, job, or daily struggles. Jesus Himself taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” Praying for needs is biblical. Intercessory prayer for the soul is simply a different kind of prayer — deeper, eternal, and centered on God’s redemptive purpose.
Intercessory Prayer Guide
1. Begin with Worship
2. Thank Jesus for Access
Remember that you stand before God only because of Christ’s sacrifice.
3. Lay Down Your Own Desires
Say something like: “Lord, remove my opinions, emotions, and expectations. Give me Your heart for them.”
4. Pray God’s Interests
Draw their heart to You
Reveal Yourself to them
Bring them to repentance
Restore what is broken
Sanctify them
Protect them from the enemy
5. Trust God’s Timing and Methods
Release the outcome to Him.
6. End in Gratitude
Thank God for hearing, for working, and for loving them more than you ever could.
Acknowledge who God is — holy, sovereign, loving, and wise.
Personal Reflection
Someone from my past came to mind the other day. Then suddenly, it was as if every person from my past began coming to mind as well. Since we’ve been walking through devotionals on intercessory prayer, I decided to pray for the people I was remembering.
Some were enemies. Some were friends. Some were family. Some I haven’t thought about in years.
I didn’t feel anything particular toward most of them. I simply want to see them in heaven one day.
I used to look for the good in people until some convinced me there was none. But I know now — there is good in everyone. It may be buried, but God can find it if that is His purpose. He put us all here for His purpose.
So I prayed for the softening of their hearts and the drawing of their souls toward God. I asked Him to surround them with His protection and keep them safe from harm. I prayed that they would know God at least as well as I do — and maybe even more.
I asked Him to convict them, to knock on the doors of their hearts, and that they would answer Him. I prayed that they would lay down their will so Jesus could be on the throne of their lives. It is so wonderful to have Jesus on the throne of your life. I want everyone to have that.
“Remember them, Lord, when the time comes. Pull them to You. Break the chains the world has wrapped around them. Tear down the barriers they built to keep You out.”
“The veil in the temple was torn… Jesus became our High Priest.”
Hebrews 10:19 — “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus.”
“We pray in Jesus’ name because He is our intercessor.”
Romans 8:34 — “It is Christ that died… who also maketh intercession for us.”
“Closeness with God is a privilege… He is the Alpha and the Omega.”
Revelation 1:8 — “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord.”
“As we enter into intercessory prayer… we need only have God’s interests in mind.”
1 Timothy 2:1–4 — “…prayers… be made for all men… who will have all men to be saved.”
“We pray that the Lord will draw them into a closeness with Him.”
John 6:44 — “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him.”
“God will give them a new heart and turn them toward Himself.”
Ezekiel 36:26 — “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.”
“We cannot see the hidden things of God.”
Deuteronomy 29:29 — “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God…”
“Intercessory prayer is vital… God wants us involved.”
James 5:16 — “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
“It is right to pray for daily needs… Give us this day our daily bread.”
Matthew 6:9–13 — “Give us this day our daily bread…” (The Lord’s Prayer)
“Pray for your loved ones. Pray for your enemies.”
Matthew 5:44 — “Love your enemies… and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
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