Unreasonable Intercession
by Annie Yorty
You’ve probably heard of the ten Booms, a Dutch family who hid hundreds of Jews in their home during the years of World War II. At great expense to themselves—for some, their lives, they helped hundreds of Jews escape capture by the Nazis. They did not even know most of the people they saved. What inspires such unreasonable intercession?
In God’s Word, we have many examples of flawed, yet faithful people who displayed unreasonable intercession for others. If the word “unreasonable” seems confusing, consider an alternate definition found at Merriam-Webster: “exceeding the bounds of reason or moderation.” Excessive, over-the-top, or radical, one might say.
Unreasonable intercession is prayer and sacrifice that surpasses normal limits of moderation. It moves the heart of God.
Unreasonable intercession is prayer and sacrifice that surpasses normal limits of moderation. It moves the heart of God. Click To TweetOne of my favorite examples is Moses. God put him in charge of shepherding more than a million people out of slavery in Egypt into a special land promised to them. The problem? Moses said to them, “You have been rebelling against the Lord as long as I have known you” (Deuteronomy 9:24 NLT).
I think he probably felt like me in my first babysitting gig. My charge’s naughty antics belied by angelic, soft curls and an innocent smile gave me fits. Moses could multiply my frustration by a million.
Every time this mutinous multitude sinned against God, Moses sprang into action. He threw himself to his knees between them and God’s well-deserved wrath.
Let’s study one example of Moses’ unreasonable intercession found in Deuteronomy 9:18-29.
5 Elements of Unreasonable Intercession
1. Moses humbled himself before God, even though he did not commit the sins.
2. Moses sacrificed himself for the people he loved, even though it caused him pain.
3. Moses asked God to be merciful, even though they didn’t deserve it.
4. Moses reminded God of His promises for His people, even though He never forgets.
5. Moses identified himself and the people as God’s possession, even though they wandered.
Moses’ unreasonable intercession moved the heart of God to shower undeserved grace upon His people and their descendants. Ultimately, He led them into the land He had promised to them and produced a Savior for the world.
Will you throw yourself on your knees before God to plead the cause of the lost? Click To TweetA Perfect Example of Unreasonable Intercession
Centuries later, the unflawed Son of God—Jesus—perfectly demonstrated the same elements of unreasonable intercession to redeem humans from the bondage of sin once and for all.
- Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave. (Philippians 2:7 NLT)
- My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. (Matthew 26:39 NLT)
- Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34 NLT)
- Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. (John 17:1-2 NLT)
- All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. (John 17:10 NLT)
Today’s Opportunity
Here we are, many centuries later, with the same opportunities as Moses and Jesus. We live among hordes of stubborn people, rebels against God. They are doomed, shackled by their own sin.
If you have received salvation because of Jesus’ unreasonable intercession, are you inspired to throw yourself on your knees before God to plead the cause of the lost?
Join the conversation:
Do you know someone who prayed for you before you were saved? How does that inspire you today?
I welcome your comments!
Copyright ©2023 Annie Yorty
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12 Comments
J.D. WIninger
Who is my “unreasonable intercessor?” My heart tells me it was my adopted parents. Mom and Dad prayed for me long before I accepted Christ. And I know for a fact that mama prayed afterward (because she often prayed with me) for a long time, asking God to help me to surrender to His transformative work. The question becomes, even though I’m praying for lost loved ones, what am I giving up to move God?
Annie Yorty
What a privilege we have to be the hands and feet of Jesus. He welcomes our bold intercessions for the lost as well as the saved. I hope to be like your mama and make prayer the center of all I do for my children. Thanks for visiting, J.D.!
Leigh DeLozier
Unreasonable intercession — I love that concept and looking at “unreasonable” through a different lens. Moses was quite the intercessor, wasn’t he?
To be that faithful and willing to fight before God on behalf of the ones I love and the ones He puts in front of me! I think that’s probably one of the best goals I could set for myself.
And to JD’s point, what am I willing to give up to move God? It’s a hard question but one worth wrestling down.
Annie Yorty
If we are to imitate Christ, we must necessarily lay down something in sacrifice. I think the key is to hold what we have loosely–our possessions, time, career, dreams, etc. to be ready to release at the direction of Father. Thanks for adding to the conversation, Leigh!
Maggie Rowe
I had not heard this term before, Annie. Thank you for giving me food for thought today!
Annie Yorty
To those who don’t know Christ, it’s foolishness. But those who have drunk from the never-ending well of Living Water will go to any “unreasonable” length when led by God. Thank you for visiting!
Sylvia Schroeder
This was wonderful Annie. Unreasonable intercession. What an amazing connection to Jesus. I need to sit and ponder on this one. Thank you!
Annie Yorty
When we think about it, there was nothing reasonable about Jesus’ intercession for us on the cross, except that He always follows through on His promises. And this promise was exorbitant. Extravagant. Beyond reason, yet totally in keeping with His gracious, merciful nature. I praise Him with you!
Yvonne Morgan
I loved your thoughts and examples on unreasonable intercession. So beautiful when I think about all Jesus gave up for me. I think my mom filled this role in my life. Thanks for sharing Annie.
Annie Yorty
Praise the Lord, Yvonne! Thank you for visiting and sharing your thoughts. What a wonderful legacy your mom left in you.
Jeannie Waters
Annie, I had a godly grandmother, and I’ve often thought she must have prayed for me. I suspect the Campus Crusade for Christ worker who led me to the Lord prayed before she spoke. Your examples of Moses and Jesus are thought-provoking and encourage me to increase my prayers for others. As others have mentioned your term “unreasonable intercession” will keep us thinking–and praying.
Annie Yorty
When I think of the multiplication effect of the intercessions of people like your grandmother, it boggles my mind. Praise God for her and for the Cru worker who introduced you to Christ, and also for the countless people to whom you’ve passed on that legacy. Thanks for visiting, Jeannie!