Is there a difference between intercessory prayer and the mediatory work of Christ ?
In light of this Scripture in particular…
1 Timothy 2:5
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
In other words, what is (or is there a) difference between one Christian asking another Christian to pray for them and what Jesus does as our Mediator?
Yes. The mediator prayer is when one human prays to God for another human. Humans pray as led by the Holy Spirit. Once we pray, or prayers go up before God on His throne where Jesus interceded on our behalf. Basically, He pleads our case before God based upon our prayers, whether it be intercessory or other.
I think that both are intercessory prayers. We intercede for each other in the name of Jesus, and He intercedes for us as He sits at the right hand of His Father in heaven. By invoking the name of Christ, we are saying that He is the mediator, the reason we can freely come before the throne of God.
Intercessory prayer would be something like Daniel did in behalf of his family. I guess the rest of the family must of been atheists.
All things are done through Christ in him and with him.
When a Christian (dead or alive) prays for someone they direct that prayer to Jesus, do all things in his name, Scripture clearly shows the first Christians being told to pray for the body, you may ask why since all prayer is directed to God alone? but Jesus said we are one in him, we are his body, so you praying for me is doing the work Jesus commissioned you to do, he did the will of the father, we do the will of the father in his name, the Saints in heaven are not excluded from this as they are still parts of the body, as they are more alive than we, and from Scripture we see they pray and intercede before the throne as do the angels.
Christ is the only mediator, but we are part of Christ! can the head be separated from the body and live?
carefull study of scripture reveals we are all part of the salvation plan as Christ handed over the keys and said do as they say, because through them I speak,
Jesus does not intercede for believers in the sense of making requests on our behalf. His intercession and mediatorship is the automatic consequence his finished work. His very presence at the right hand of the Father means that, through Jesus, we have the favour of God. So when we pray, through faith in Jesus, we can have confidence that we will receive what we pray for.
Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another’s case. One study Bible defines intercession as "holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God’s intervention."
Intercessory Prayer – Our Model Intercessor
Jesus Christ is our model for intercessory prayer. Jesus stands before God and between Him and sinful man, just as the Old Testament priests did: For there is one God, and one mediator (intercessor) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us (Romans 8:34). Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25).
Since Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, no one in heaven or on earth can take his place. However this does not make intercessory prayer wrong. St. James tells us (5:16) that `the heartfelt prayer of a good man works very powerfully,’ and there are many examples of intercessory prayer being recommended in the New Testamernt (Col. 1:9; 2 Thes 1:11; 2 Thes 3:1). Christians seek the prayers of fellow believers, and some will make a great effort to obtain the prayers of a persn who is considered to be holy, or to have a special prayer ministry, particularly in healing. Christians then act as mediators, but this does not violate Christ’s role as sole mediator, because ours is a secondary role dependent on his. Just as we are all members in the one Christ, so we are all mediators in the one Mediator."
In the above paragraph, John failed to note the difference between an intercessor and a mediator. An intercessor is one who supplicates for another, while a mediator (Greek: mesites) is one who intervened between two warring parties to make peace. This is specifically why Christ is our only Mediator – it was only He Who could make peace between us and God.
Yes.
Many times one finds the New Testament recommending intercessory prayer (cf. Col 1:9; 2 Thes 1:11; 2 Thes 3:1; Jas 5:16), and very few Christians seem to have a problem with seeking the prayers of a fellow believer. A difficulty appears to emerge only when that believer has left this earth. But what difference should that make to one who affirms the resurrection of the dead? After all, we read that all are alive in Christ (cf. 1 Cor 15:22).
Jesus Christ is the sole mediator between God and man. No other person in heaven or on earth can take His place. The role of Mary or any other saint is to lead the believer to Christ. This subordinate form of mediation derives its meaning and efficacy from the Lord Himself and is not something the saints possess on their own.
Intercessory prayer is a powerful expression of the beautiful doctrine of the Communion of Saints whereby the saints in heaven, and the faithful on earth are involved and concerned with one another’s eternal salvation. Intercessory prayer declares our love for one another in the Church, as well as our faith that the bonds to Christ and His Church forged in baptism cannot be dissolved by death.
That’s always bothered me.. Can’t an individual pray for themselves, does God bow to pier pressure or does he only listen to certain people? Doesn’t he hear the individual in need and answer their prayer?
Yes. Jesus is our High Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. Since He gave His life once & for all of us. And so he can reach all people anywhere and hear all people anywhere who call on His Name.
He is our High Priest forever & forever to make intercession for us.
And Jesus prays for us, but He intercedes in unity with the Saints (whether in heaven or on earth). We are His Body. That when we are born of God, then we are raised up (spiritually) with Him in high places. This is Christ Priesthood.
So this is where the work of the Saints in heaven & the Saints on earth are to pray for one another continually.
But we do pray to Jesu or to the Father in Jesus Name.
I am personally experiencing more intimate relationship with John the Beloved Apostle. Because last night, I tested him to see of he really was Jesus Apostle & Prophet, one of the 12. I asked Him to pray for some of my concerns. He prayed exactly what was on my heart for my daughters sister n law. He interceded to Jesus, really said, "Lord of heaven & earth. Our Father, please keep Tara safe in the pregnancy. Also to bind anyone with evil intent regarding the doctors or nurses, etc. from being there. Please comfort Cathy (her mother) with peace and Tara and Luis…" But he touched on this concern plus others. And we discussed Luis, a dead beat dad, who Tara isn’t married to. God loves Luis too. He needs prayer too.
So? I could tell the spirit John prayed in was the same Spirit & Spirit of Truth that I am anointed in.
Jesus told me that this new years resolution is for me to trust Him more & pray more. So? I have a hard time trusting Jesus with the ‘within’ part of the Kingdom of God. Gods Kingdom is intimate. Is love. But also seems to know me more than myself.
So? Intercessory prayer is part of the mediatory work of Christ.
And the Saints are to be available to be of His priesthood. Because He has made us Kings & Priests in Him. And the Priesthood is to forgive others as an intermediary in Christ. That is why some Churches, people go to Saints in heaven or earth to intercede for them. But that person really, only initially needs to do this. As to be led to Christ redeeming grace & be born of God. But once born of God, we can come boldly before the Throne of Grace in hour & need & pray to our heavenly Father in spirit & truth, 24/7.
But once born of God (born of the spirit, cleansed by His blood), we become a Saint. And so therefore part of the priesthood.
In 1Timothy 2::1-2 Paul exhorts that intercession be made for all men.
Jesus Christ is both an Advocate and Intercessor for all [ 1John 2:1]
And the Holy Spirit also makes intercession [Romans 8:26]
In short, yes, huge difference.
Only Christ can reconcile us to God.