In Isaiah 59:16, the Bible reveals a surprising aspect of God’s character:

“He saw that there was no man, And wondered that there was no intercessor; Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.”

God is surprised to find no one who intercedes for His people. In spiritual, moral and social crises, He does not give up on humanity. On the contrary, He seeks someone who puts themselves in the gap and cries out for mercy.

In the context of Isaiah, the nation of Israel was immersed in corruption, idolatry and moral decadence. The people had left the ways of the Lord, and the result was devastating: misery, family destruction, economic collapse and social chaos.

This pattern is repeated to this day: when human beings turn their back on God, seeking false freedom, they end up enslaved by what they were trying to escape. The apparent freedom turns into captivity.

God always wants to save, but He looks for an intercessor

Even in the face of rebellion, God wants to restore. But He waits for a sign: someone who says, “Lord, have mercy on us.” A sorry heart is what moves heaven. However, many times, He searches and finds no one.

This is the essence of the role of an intercessor: someone who cries out for themselves and others, someone who stands up in prayer even when everything seems lost.

Intercede is not complaining; it is not regretting. To intercede is to pray with faith and purpose, asking God to intervene in favour of people, families and nations.

You may be suffering, waiting for a change. But how about closing the bedroom door, bending your knees and crying out instead of muttering? Pray for those who don’t pray. Ask for those who can’t ask. That’s intercession.

Biblical examples:

The Bible is full of examples of people who took this initiative:

Hannah, who cried out in the temple even humiliated, and God not only heard her prayer but raised the prophet Samuel through her (1 Samuel 1:9-11).

Peter, who dared to walk on the waters at the call of Jesus (Matthew 14:25-29). He may have sunk, but he had the courage and faith to get out of the boat.

These people broke with passivity, left their comfort zone and were heard by God.

Be the intercessor that God is looking for

God is still looking for intercessors. He searches the hearts, looking for someone willing to pray with faith and cry out for his family, city, and nation. You can be that person.

When God looks at your street, house, and church, will He find someone praying, or will He be amazed that He has not found an intercessor? Or will He find you, your cry, your voice, interceding for yourself and those who cannot intercede for themselves?

Follow this message in full in the video above.