Intercessor Honor

Missionary & Community Activities

Requirements

1. Define in your own words:
   • What an intercessor is
   • What intercessory prayer is

   Answer: 1) What an intercessor is: a person who prays to God on behalf of others, placing themselves between God and the one in need to bring before Him the needs, struggles, and requests of their neighbor. Christ is the supreme Intercessor, who lives to intercede for us (Heb 7:25), and in the Bible we have examples such as Abraham, Moses, and Paul. 2) What intercessory prayer is: the act of praying for the well-being and needs of others (family, friends, the church, authorities, and even strangers), and not just for oneself. It is a noble spiritual activity, driven by love for one's neighbor, in which we present to God the causes of other people, asking for His help, healing, salvation, and guidance. — The soteriology of intercession. An intercessor (mediator): acts between two parties; biblically, between God and man. Christ is the only Mediator (1 Tim 2:5), but believers intercede in a secondary way. Intercessory prayer: an altruistic motive. Biblical bases: 1 Tim 2:1-4 'I urge... that supplications, prayers, intercessions... be made for all'. Models: Abraham (Gen 18, to save Sodom), Moses (Ex 32, forgiveness for Israel), Paul (Eph 1:16, prayer for Ephesus). The supreme example: Christ in Gethsemane (Jn 17, the priestly prayer). Types: for the lost (evangelism), for the church (unity), for the sick (healing), for authorities (1 Tim 2:2).

2. Research in the Bible and in Spirit of Prophecy books about the intercessory ministry of Christ in the heavenly Sanctuary.
3. Cite at least 3 Bible verses, different from those cited in this honor, that encourage people to pray for one another.

   Answer: Three examples: (1) James 5:16 - 'Confess your faults to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed'; (2) 1 Timothy 2:1 - Paul exhorts that supplications, prayers, and intercessions be made for all men; (3) Ephesians 6:18 - 'praying... with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints'. Also Colossians 1:9 and Job 42:10. — The Bible repeatedly teaches us to pray for one another - intercession is an act of love and mutual care among Christians.

4. Cite at least 3 Bible stories where a character interceded for another person or persons.

   Answer: Three examples: (1) Abraham interceded for Sodom, asking God to spare the city if there were righteous people in it (Genesis 18); (2) Moses interceded for the people of Israel after the sin of the golden calf, asking for forgiveness (Exodus 32); (3) Job prayed for his friends and was restored (Job 42:10). Others: Samuel praying for Israel (1 Samuel 12:23) and Jesus himself, our intercessor (John 17; Hebrews 7:25). — The great biblical figures interceded for others, and Jesus himself intercedes for us - examples that inspire the intercessor.

5. Why is it important to become an intercessor? What are the benefits of praying for others?

   Answer: It is important because intercession is a way of loving one's neighbor and taking part in God's work on behalf of others. Among the benefits: it brings us closer to God and strengthens our prayer life; it develops empathy, compassion, and less selfishness; it brings blessing, comfort, and healing to those for whom we pray; it unites the church; and, as Job 42:10 shows, God also blesses those who pray for others. — Praying for others transforms both the one who prays and the one who is the object of the prayer - it is putting Christian love into practice, entrusting people's lives to God.

6. Discuss the following passages with your intercessory prayer group:
   • John 17:9 - Who was Jesus speaking about?
   • James 5:13 to 16 - Why did the Bible leave us this counsel?
   • Matthew 6:5 to 15 - What does this passage teach about prayer and intercession?
7. Do two of the following:
   • Conduct a survey in your neighborhood or community, identifying people interested in receiving prayers from your group. Keep a list of their addresses and, at the end of a period of at least 2 weeks, send a letter offering a Bible study to each one and inviting them to a special program at your Church.
   • Keep a list of e-mails and phone numbers of members of your Club and Church. During your Church's prayer services, list each new request and send messages to the members on the list so that they pray, in order to form a prayer network.
   • Create a website or blog that can receive prayer requests. Promote it in your community and to your friends. Make sure that all requests received are forwarded to people who can pray for them, including you.
8. During at least 2 meetings of your Club, take part in a moment of intercessory prayer, where the members can express their prayer requests, pray for one another, and write down the requests of the others to pray for during the week.
9. In consultation with your Director, make a list of "absent" Pathfinders from your Club and pray for them for a minimum period of 30 days. Together with your group that is completing the honor, visit them or, if not possible, send a card informing them that you have prayed for them during this period. Ask whether they feel the desire to return and invite them to come back to the Club.

   Answer: Putting intercession into practice transforms prayer into concrete care, bringing back to the club those who have drifted away.

10. Establish a well-defined time for your prayers. Explain why you chose that time. In an interview with your Pastor or Elder, find out how it is possible to follow the recommendation of 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
11. Write a report on your experiences while completing the requirements of this honor. Cite the positive points found and observed. What improved in your life during this period? Would you like to continue interceding for others? Why?

    Answer: Recording one's own experience helps to perceive spiritual growth and establishes the habit of intercession.

12. During the period of this honor, include in your prayer list the members of the intercessory prayer group who are completing the honor.