Worship and Intercession

8/21/24 

Last week we looked at having clean hands and a pure heart before the Lord.  In addition to that, worshiping and praising God go hand-in-hand with intercession.  I have found that when I worship the Lord, He speaks soon after.  The Bible states God inhabits the praise of His people.

“It may seem like an unusual truth that God ‘inhabits’ the praise of His people. We can understand that He calls us to praise, enjoys our praise, and responds to our praise. But what does it mean to inhabit, dwell, or exist in our praise and worship? It’s as if the psalmist is saying that God moves into and takes up residence within the praises of His people.” What Can We Learn from the Bible Verse 'God Inhabits the Praise of His People'?

But thou art holy, O thou that inhabit the praises of Israel. Psalm 22:3 

Other versions speak of this in slightly different wording.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. (NIV)

The Japanese translation of Psalm 22:3 is: When you praise God, He brings a big chair and sits there.

“Worship and intercession are two aspects of prayer that are fueled by the Holy Spirit and flow out from our spirit. Worship is the expression of reverent love and devotion for God, while intercession is the act of praying on behalf of someone else. Intercession is a conversation with God, agreeing with His promises and asking Him to get involved in human needs. Worship and intercession go hand in hand, as both show our love for God and His people.”

“The Bible clearly shows us that worship and intercession are two sides of the same coin. To worship God is to agree with who He is and to intercede is to agree with what is in His heart to do. The book of Psalms is full of prophetic prayers set to music. Prayer and worship are meant to be knit together if we want to sustain the unceasing reality around the throne.”  111global.org.

Great worshippers and interceders are mentioned for our behalf in Psalm 99:5–6.

Exalt the Lord our God, worship at His footstool!  Holy is He!  Moses and Aaron were among His priests, Samuel also was among those who called upon His name.  They called to the Lord, and He answered them.

The psalmist listed three notable priests in the history of Israel – Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. These were ones who prayed (called upon His name) and God revealed Himself (He answered them).

“To encourage the faithful in the worship of God, the examples of Moses, Aaron, and Samuel are cited as evidence, whose prayers were heard, both for themselves and others.” (Horne). 

They are known as priests: “The noun is a participial form from the verb ‘serve’ and is here loosely used for ‘servants’ or ‘intercessors.’ Moses, Aaron, and Samuel interceded on Israel’s behalf.” (VanGemeren).

Evidently those that call upon the name of God compose a separate class…. It is a high honor to be included among them that call upon His name.” (Meyer).

“Praise causes the presence of the Lord to come into our midst. Even though God is omniscient, He manifests His authority and rule in our environment when we praise Him. When we praise, God comes in and leads us forth… When we praise, our faith and trust increase.” - Chuck Pierce

Ah ha!  Basically, praise and worship open the Lord’s ear to us and will hear our intercession.  Similar to a child, praise your parents and they will be more likely to hear your request and grant it!   In addition, singing praise songs are like scratching nails on a blackboard to the enemy...the more you do it the more he will flee.  An excellent accessory to add to intercessory prayer is praising God to keep the enemy at bay and to possess your land.

“It is now time to call in the prayer warriors to aide in bringing in My glory. I request their presence at My throne.  To stand before Me in reverent worship and Godly fear, to call that which is not as if it were.  To start the process of possessing the land, to be conduit that I can manifest My goodness.  Yes, it all starts with your prayers.  Now is the time to set all other priorities aside and begin the journey to see My glory.  It is surely on its way, this rain I have spoken diligently about.  I am faithful to fulfill all the words I have spoken to you and through you…be ready to receive your rain!”

Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Psalm 29:2.

Come, and let us return to the Lord; for He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up.  After two days He will revive us; on the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.  Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.  His going forth is established as the morning. Hosea 6:1-3.

SING AND PRAY WITH ME: Sanctuary - worship video.

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary of worship pure and holy, tried and true with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for You.