Outrider Ministries for Christ is deeply committed to prayer; in fact, it is one of the four pillars of the ministry expressed in our mission statement. That commitment is further illustrated by my professional title, which is officially Publisher and Intercessory Missionary. As for Publisher, I am responsible for the publication of this website and the stories it contains as well as other ministry materials, and that part of the title is self-evident to most. However, we do receive many questions on the term Intercessory Missionary.
An intercessor is a Christian who passionately fights, battles, petitions, and/or pleads God using prayer and fasting on behalf of other people, leaders, nations, and governments. Although it is often a hidden part of the body of Christ, intercession accomplishes mighty things for the Kingdom of God. It unequivocally ripens the harvest while bringing people and nations back to God.
Although the term or title is not specifically found in scripture, the Bible is full of examples of intercessors, including but not limited to Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Daniel, Priscilla, Deborah, Anna, Hannah, Esther, and of course – Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Intercessor and prayer warrior Mike Bickle, who is Director of International House of Prayer in Kansas City, defines an intercessory missionary as “one who does the work of the kingdom (as his fulltime occupation) from the place of prayer and worship while embracing a missionary lifestyle and ministry focus. … The three dimensions of mission work – continual prayer, mercy deeds, and sharing the gospel – must go together. Prayer causes the work of outreach to the lost and needy to be much more effective.”
It is my firm belief that our prayer lives as Christians dramatically impact the world and help us grow ever closer to our Creator. As an intercessor, you can sit or kneel in your home and impact people in Israel, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, or French Polynesia as well as your friends and neighbors right next door. We can also join together and make a difference in the course of our own nation. There truly is no limit to our global reach via prayer, and while we do not see all the results of our efforts, the impact is eternal.
Andrew Murray, in his book The Ministry of Intercession, writes, “In answer to prayer, the Spirit can be poured out; souls can be converted; believers can be established. In prayer, the kingdom of darkness can be conquered, souls are brought out of prison into the liberty of Christ, and the glory of God is revealed. Through prayer, the sword of the Spirit – the Word of God – can be wielded in power, and in public preaching as in private speaking, the most rebellious are made to bow at Jesus’ feet.”
Prayer is a powerful force, a truly awesome weapon in the hearts and lives of Christians, and God is waiting on us to wield this armament so He can bless us and impact the world with answers to our petitions. Think about this eternal truth from Mark 11:24, which states, “Therefore I say unto you, what things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
Wow, whatever we desire is ours for the asking if we believe. The key is for our desires to be godly ones. James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
One of the highest callings of a child of God is intercessory prayer, and it is a great way to better understand the nature and desires of God. When we take the focus off ourselves and place it on others, it is much easier to pray His desires. The fantastic part of the Father’s prayer plan is the vital resources He provides for us to achieve promised answers – Jesus Christ (the great mediator) and the Holy Spirit (our intercessor).
Think about it – as we go to God Almighty in prayer, Jesus is at His right hand as our mediator and His spirit is inside of us interceding on our behalf.
We have the assurance of Christ’s mediation in 1 Timothy 2:5a, which states, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” It is our great mediator who promises us this in John 16:23b-24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.”
Do you want full joy? I sure do, and I’m guessing you do as well.
As for the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:26-27 has this to say, “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”
In short, we are to pray to the Father in Christ’s name through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. This helps and enables us to have prayers of holy desires. As we do this in faith, God’s answers will assuredly flow. It is His promise to us, and God is always faithful.
So, back to our vision statement, which states, “We are a going ministry for a coming Savior, and our mission is to encourage the disheartened, proclaim the message of Christ, serve those in need, and pray for you.” The four pillars in that statement are edification/encouragement, evangelism, service, and prayer.
As Publisher and Intercessory Missionary, I strive to live out that mission via the materials we post on our website for anyone in the world to see and through my missionary outreach to those I encounter while taking the Good News of Jesus Christ along the highways, byways, waterways, streets, trails, and back-alleys of this world.
I truly desire to fulfill our mission by edifying the Body of Christ, evangelizing the lost, and serving others with the spiritual gifts with which I have been blessed. However, it is my firm belief that the most effective way to accomplish those functions is to begin, continue, and end with prayer. That more closely aligns me with God’s will with the understanding that I can do nothing on my own, and I need His hand and guidance to pave the way and draw others unto Himself.
In closing, here is one of my personal prayers concerning this path I am traveling, “El-Shaddai, the Holy One, I long to boldly proclaim your name, to serve in mighty and powerful ways, and to fulfill my calling as an intercessory missionary. Pursue me, oh Lord, consume me with holy passion, reveal to me the road not traveled, equip me for the path, open doors and hearts along that narrow road, and use it all for your unending glory.”
If you like and are blessed by the content created by Outrider Ministries for Christ, we encourage you to regularly visit our website while also telling your family and friends about us. Never forget – you are important to us and vital to our success at spreading the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the world. May His abounding love, mercy, and grace be upon you.