Intercession in the Psalms

The book of Psalms has been called the book of prayer—it includes individual and corporate praises, laments, thanksgiving, pleas for deliverance, wisdom, etc. However, it may seem, after reflection, that there is little similar to what we call intercession today. John Goldingay in his commentary writes that the suppliants in the psalms: 

“…involve themselves in intercession by standing with a person in need and praying with them and for them. Part of that support would be listening to God for them, listening for what response God might offer to their prayer. In a quite literal sense, interceding or intervening on someone’s behalf involves putting oneself in another person’s place. It does not involve praying for someone so much as praying with them and even as them. For this reason there are no special forms of intercession. Intercession is simply praying in the first person, by taking on the persona of the one in need” (Goldingay, p. 65-66).

In other words, intercession is a radical identification. Looking in the New Testament, the Lord’s Prayer was in the plural: “Our Father… our daily bread…our debts…lead us not into temptation…deliver us” (Mt. 6:9-13). Jesus’ addendum on forgiveness makes one think about the corporate dimension of intercession as well.

Flipping over to Paul’s prayers—they are more like what we think of intercession. He is writing from a distance and praying for them, but I can never read Paul without being deeply impressed by his sense of love and identification with those he ministered to.

“We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thes. 2:8).

“Who is weak, and I do not feel weak?” (2 Cor. 11:29).

“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ...” (1 Cor. 12:26-27a).

And then the author of Hebrews:

“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering” (Hebrews 13:3).

I’m not entirely sure what I think about Goldingay’s statement, but I do know we are called to be the body of Christ, and sometimes I think that there is a “corporateness” far beyond what I see, think, and do in the church. As Ephesians stated, in Christ’s death “His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross” (Eph. 2:15-16). It makes sense out of Jesus’ words that whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me (Mt. 25:40).

But this identification-intercession has another precedent: that of Christ himself. Who took on our flesh (Jn. 1:14). He became sin so we might have his righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21). That is a radical intercession.

It makes me stand back and think—what little I know of love.