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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Intercession for Nations</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/i/intercession_for_nations.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/18-22.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/i/intercession.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Intercession for Nations</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/i/intercession_for_leadership.htm" title="Intercession for Leadership">◄</a> Intercession for Nations <a href="/topical/i/intercession_for_others.htm" title="Intercession for Others">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>Intercession for nations is a significant theme in the Bible, reflecting the heart of God for all peoples and His desire for their redemption and blessing. This practice involves standing in the gap through prayer and supplication on behalf of entire nations, seeking God's mercy, guidance, and intervention.<br><br><b>Biblical Foundations</b><br><br>The concept of intercession for nations is rooted in the character of God, who is described as sovereign over all the earth. In <a href="/genesis/18-22.htm">Genesis 18:22-33</a>, Abraham intercedes for Sodom, demonstrating the power of intercessory prayer. Abraham's dialogue with God reveals a profound truth: God is willing to spare a nation for the sake of the righteous within it. This passage highlights the role of a faithful intercessor in appealing to God's justice and mercy.<br><br>Moses also serves as a model intercessor. In <a href="/exodus/32-11.htm">Exodus 32:11-14</a>, after the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses pleaded with God to spare them from destruction. His intercession was based on God's promises and reputation among the nations. Moses' prayer was effective, as "the LORD relented from the calamity He had threatened to bring on His people" (<a href="/exodus/32-14.htm">Exodus 32:14</a>).<br><br><b>Prophetic Intercession</b><br><br>The prophets frequently engaged in intercession for nations. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," often prayed for Judah despite their persistent rebellion. In <a href="/jeremiah/18-20.htm">Jeremiah 18:20</a>, he asks, "Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember how I stood before You to speak good on their behalf, to turn Your wrath away from them" . Jeremiah's intercession underscores the prophet's role in seeking God's mercy for a wayward nation.<br><br>Daniel's prayer in <a href="/bsb/daniel/9.htm">Daniel 9</a> is another profound example. Recognizing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy regarding the seventy years of desolation for Jerusalem, Daniel turned to God with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes. His prayer, recorded in <a href="/daniel/9-4.htm">Daniel 9:4-19</a>, is a model of confession and supplication, acknowledging the sins of the nation and appealing to God's covenant faithfulness.<br><br><b>New Testament Perspective</b><br><br>In the New Testament, the call to intercede for nations is expanded through the Great Commission. Jesus commands His followers to "make disciples of all nations" (<a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19</a>), indicating a global scope for the gospel and the necessity of prayer for all peoples. The apostle Paul, in <a href="/1_timothy/2.htm">1 Timothy 2:1-2</a>, urges believers to offer "petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving for everyone—for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity" . This instruction emphasizes the importance of praying for leaders and nations to facilitate the spread of the gospel and the peace of society.<br><br><b>The Role of the Church</b><br><br>The Church is called to be a house of prayer for all nations (<a href="/isaiah/56-7.htm">Isaiah 56:7</a>, <a href="/mark/11-17.htm">Mark 11:17</a>). This calling involves a commitment to intercede for the spiritual and temporal needs of nations, seeking God's kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven (<a href="/matthew/6-10.htm">Matthew 6:10</a>). The early Church demonstrated this commitment through prayer and fasting, as seen in <a href="/acts/13.htm">Acts 13:1-3</a>, where the Holy Spirit directed the sending of missionaries to the Gentiles.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>Intercession for nations is a vital aspect of the believer's prayer life, reflecting God's heart for the world and His desire for all to come to repentance. Through intercession, believers participate in God's redemptive work, standing in the gap for nations and seeking His mercy, justice, and peace.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/intercession.htm">Intercession</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession_for_adonijah.htm">Intercession for Adonijah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession_for_solomon.htm">Intercession for Solomon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/intercession_of_christ.htm">Intercession of Christ</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession_of_man_with_god.htm">Intercession of Man With God</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession_of_man_with_man.htm">Intercession of Man With Man</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--abigail_for_nabal.htm">Intercession: Abigail for Nabal</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_abraham's_servant,_in_behalf_of_his_master.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Abraham's Servant, in Behalf of his Master</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_amos,_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Amos, for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_asaph,_for_the_congregation.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Asaph, for the Congregation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_david,_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of David, for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_ezra,_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Ezra, for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_for_miriam.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of for Miriam</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_for_paul,_by_the_congregations.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of for Paul, by the Congregations</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_in_behalf_of_abimelech.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of in Behalf of Abimelech</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_in_behalf_of_sodom.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of in Behalf of Sodom</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_jacob,_in_behalf_of_his_children.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Jacob, in Behalf of his Children</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_jeremiah,_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Jeremiah, for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_korah,_for_the_congregation.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Korah, for the Congregation</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_moses,_in_behalf_of_pharaoh.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Moses, in Behalf of Pharaoh</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_nehemiah,_in_behalf_of_judah_and_jerusalem.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Nehemiah, in Behalf of Judah and Jerusalem</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_onesiphorus.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Onesiphorus</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_others,_who_sought_jesus_in_behalf_of_afflicted_people.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Others, Who Sought Jesus in Behalf of Afflicted People</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_parents,_for_their_epileptic_son.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Parents, for Their Epileptic Son</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_paul,_for_god's_people.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Paul, for God's People</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_solomon,_for_israel.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of Solomon, for Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_the_disciples,_in_behalf_of_peter's_mother-in-law.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of The Disciples, in Behalf of Peter's Mother-In-Law</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--additional_instances_of_the_syro-phoenician_woman,_for_her_daughter.htm">Intercession: Additional Instances of The Syro-Phoenician Woman, for Her Daughter</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_for_the_plague_of_darkness.htm">Intercession: Answered for the plague of darkness</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_for_the_plague_of_flies.htm">Intercession: Answered for the plague of flies</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_for_the_plague_of_frogs_to_be_abated.htm">Intercession: Answered for the plague of frogs to be abated</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_for_the_plague_of_locusts.htm">Intercession: Answered for the plague of locusts</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_for_the_plague_of_rain,_thunder,_and_hail.htm">Intercession: Answered for the plague of rain, thunder, and hail</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_in_behalf_of_aaron,_on_account_of_his_sin_in_making_the_golden_calf.htm">Intercession: Answered in Behalf of Aaron, on Account of his Sin in Making the Golden Calf</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_of_elijah,_for_raising_the_son_of_the_hospitable_widow_from_the_dead.htm">Intercession: Answered of Elijah, for Raising the Son of the Hospitable Widow from the Dead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_of_elisha,_for_raising_the_son_of_the_shunammite_woman_from_the_dead.htm">Intercession: Answered of Elisha, for Raising the Son of the Shunammite Woman from the Dead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_of_isaiah,_in_behalf_of_hezekiah_and_the_people,_to_be_delivered_from_sennacherib.htm">Intercession: Answered of Isaiah, in Behalf of Hezekiah and the People, to be Delivered from Sennacherib</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered_of_samuel,_for_deliverance_from_the_oppressions_of_the_philistines.htm">Intercession: Answered of Samuel, for Deliverance from the Oppressions of the Philistines</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--after_the_complaining_of_the_people.htm">Intercession: Answered: After the Complaining of the People</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--after_the_israelites_had_made_the_golden_calf.htm">Intercession: Answered: After the Israelites had Made the Golden Calf</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--during_the_battle_with_the_amalekites.htm">Intercession: Answered: During the Battle With the Amalekites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--that_miriam's_leprosy_might_be_healed.htm">Intercession: Answered: That Miriam's Leprosy Might be Healed</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--that_the_plague_of_the_fiery_serpents_would_stop.htm">Intercession: Answered: That the Plague of the Fiery Serpents Would Stop</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--the_prophet_of_israel,_for_the_restoration_of_jeroboam's_withered_hand.htm">Intercession: Answered: The Prophet of Israel, for the Restoration of Jeroboam's Withered Hand</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--when_the_fire_of_the_lord_consumed_the_people.htm">Intercession: Answered: when the Fire of the Lord Consumed the People</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--answered--when_the_people_complained_on_account_of_the_report_of_the_spies.htm">Intercession: Answered: when the People Complained on Account of the Report of the Spies</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--ebed-melech_for_jeremiah.htm">Intercession: Ebed-Melech for Jeremiah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--elisha_offers_to_see_the_king_for_the_shunammite_woman.htm">Intercession: Elisha offers to See the King for the Shunammite Woman</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--exemplified.htm">Intercession: Exemplified</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--intercessional_influence_of_the_righteous.htm">Intercession: Intercessional Influence of the Righteous</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--joab_for_absalom.htm">Intercession: Joab for Absalom</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--jonathan_for_david.htm">Intercession: Jonathan for David</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--judah_for_joseph.htm">Intercession: Judah for Joseph</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--paul_for_onesimus.htm">Intercession: Paul for Onesimus</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--pharaoh's_chief_baker_for_joseph.htm">Intercession: Pharaoh's Chief Baker for Joseph</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--reuben_for_joseph.htm">Intercession: Reuben for Joseph</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_daniel,_of_shadrach,_meshach,_and_abed-nego.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Daniel, of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_darius,_of_the_jews.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Darius, of the Jews</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_hezekiah,_of_isaiah.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Hezekiah, of Isaiah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_israel,_of_samuel.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Israel, of Samuel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_jeroboam,_of_a_prophet.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Jeroboam, of a Prophet</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_paul,_of_the_congregations.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Paul, of the Congregations</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_pharaoh,_of_moses.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Pharaoh, of Moses</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_simon_magus,_of_peter.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Simon Magus, of Peter</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited_by_zedekiah,_of_jeremiah.htm">Intercession: Solicited by Zedekiah, of Jeremiah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited--and_by_johanan.htm">Intercession: Solicited: And by Johanan</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--solicited--and_by_the_israelites.htm">Intercession: Solicited: And by the Israelites</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/i/intercession--the_king_of_syria_for_naaman.htm">Intercession: The King of Syria for Naaman</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/intercession.htm">Intercession (12 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/givings.htm">Givings (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/intercessor.htm">Intercessor (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thanksgiving.htm">Thanksgiving (49 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thanksgivings.htm">Thanksgivings (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/entreaties.htm">Entreaties (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exhort.htm">Exhort (37 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/meaning.htm">Meaning (41 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/petitions.htm">Petitions (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/searcher.htm">Searcher (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/supplications.htm">Supplications (32 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/u/urge.htm">Urge (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/offered.htm">Offered (320 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/behalf.htm">Behalf (140 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/thanks.htm">Thanks (151 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/harmony.htm">Harmony (21 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/prayers.htm">Prayers (99 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/i/intercession_for_leadership.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Intercession for Leadership"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Intercession for Leadership" /></a></div><div id="right"><a 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