Moses is a Model of Intercessory Prayer

Intercessory prayer is a prayer for someone else. The person who is praying an intercessory prayer is taking the need to God in prayer. They are like the defense attorney, pleading the case of a person to God.

In Numbers 12:8, we see where Moses and God had conversations with each other. God didn’t talk to the prophets; He gave them dreams and visions. But Moses had a more personal relationship with God, so when he prayed things happened.

In Exodus 32, we see Moses' first intercessory prayer, he has come down from the mountain where Aaron and the people have built a golden calf and are worshiping it. He goes back up the mountain and intercedes to God for the people, not to destroy them, but to take him instead. God listens to him but the people still are punished for their sin, here we see when Moses prays God hears his request.

In Numbers 14, spies have returned from the Promised Land with their report. The people don't want to do what God told them to do, so God wants to send a pestilence and disinherit the whole bunch, starting over with Moses. But Moses intercedes for the people reminding God that the Egyptians will talk, and say that God couldn’t do as He promised. Moses reminds God of Egyptians will talk, and say that God couldn’t do as He promised. Moses reminds God of His promises to the people. And as a result God changes His mind and pardons the people people only because Moses pleased Him. In these two instances the power of intercessory prayer by Moses can be the model for today.