The Power of Intercessory Prayer

There are many ways to love one’s neighbour, but intercessory prayer—praying on behalf of other people—has got to be one of the most powerful.

Prayer is the most potent force known to humanity. Because we have been made partakers in Jesus’ victory over sin and death (1 John 4:4), we have the authority as sons and daughters of God to pray for others, pushing back the darkness of sin and oppression. In prayer, we have a weapon that has “divine power to destroy strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4.

That kind of weaponry—the power of prayer— is something God invites us to use as we seek not only personal transformation but the transformation of the world as well. An intercessor is one who takes up a “burden” that goes far beyond his or her own needs and intentions.

And those who take up the call to intercession come to learn in a deeper way that the sufferings of the present time cannot compare to the joy that will come as God’s purposes unfold. They learn to trust in the Lord, because they have experienced in prayer how infinitely compassionate God is. Intercessors participate in God’s magnificent plan to raise humanity to share in divine life.

So ask the Holy Spirit to teach you how to pray in union with the mind of God. Take to heart St. Paul’s words, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes . . . for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27). And above all, ask God to give you confidence that he hears your prayers and longs to answer the deep needs of those around you.

Intercessory Prayer Ministry within the Context of an OFS Fraternity

An Intercessory Prayer Ministry (IPM) is a ministry within the fraternity whose major role is to make prayer intercession for the varied needs of fraternity members. It is the ministry to pave the way through prayer for the fraternity in its vocation, growth and mission.

Members of the fraternity are enlisted to the Intercessory Prayer Ministry based on their interest and commitment to pray for the needs entrusted to them. Personal petitions submitted to the Intercessory Prayer Team honour confidentiality of the person/s making the request, and in sharing only the required information necessary for the direction of the prayer request.

It is recommended that the Intercessory Prayer Ministry Team be managed by two coordinators who are responsible for orientation of new members to the IPM team, coordinating intake of prayer requests, and communicating incoming requests and updates to the rest of the prayer team. Communication will be through e-mail and telephone calls.

It is also recommended that members of the Intercessory Prayer Ministry be provided with an Intercessors' Manual for guidance and be given subsequent updates. When a member of the IPM team is no longer able to serve in this ministry, they should notify one of the coordinators, who will remove their name from the service ministry and make arrangements for the IPM manual to be returned to the coordinators.

Intercessory Prayer Ministry coordinators will normally serve three year terms and may renew for one more 3 year term that is in alignment with the OFS fraternity’s term of elections. They will be responsible for updating the IPM members contact information as changes occur, and for apprising the Council of their work on an annual basis, and/or apprise Council if there are any issues arising that may warrant the Council to guide them.