Purposes of Intercession and Spiritual Warfare | The Apostolic Watch

    Refinery Life > Latest News > Prophetic Intercessors For Australia > The Apostolic Watch > Purposes of Intercession and Spiritual Warfare | The Apostolic Watch

Purposes of Intercession and Spiritual Warfare | The Apostolic Watch

5 November 2026 by Gary Hoban The Apostolic Watch

The Apostolic Watch — Wednesday teaching, 2026-11-04
By Reverend Gary Hoban
Prophetic Intercessors For Australia

Watch the teaching on YouTube

Teaching Aim: To equip prophetic intercessors to understand this subject biblically, apply it personally, and pray for Australia from the finished work and lordship of Jesus Christ.

Introduction

Tonight we continue our Contending for a Nation training with Week 11, Lesson 10: Purposes of Intercession and Spiritual Warfare. This is not information for information’s sake. We are being formed as people who can watch, pray, discern and stand. Every subject in this course must bring us back to Jesus Christ, Scripture, the Cross and the work of the Holy Spirit.

As prophetic intercessors, we want spiritual sensitivity without sensationalism, authority without pride, conviction without condemnation, and courage without fear. We are not training people merely to identify problems. We are training believers to stand before God, hear His heart through Scripture and the Holy Spirit, and respond faithfully.

1. What intercession means

Intercession is more than saying prayers. It is accepting responsibility to stand in the gap. Ezekiel 22:30 gives us the picture of God seeking someone who will stand before Him on behalf of the land. Intercession carries people before God and brings God’s revealed purposes into prayer.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

2. Biblical intercessors

Abraham interceded, Moses stood before God for Israel, Jesus prayed for His disciples and continues to intercede for us. Romans 8 also shows the Holy Spirit helping believers in prayer. Intercession is therefore deeply Christ-centred and Spirit-enabled.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

3. Pray for all people

First Timothy 2 commands prayer for all people and specifically for those in authority. Australian intercessors pray for federal, State, Territory and local leaders, not according to party loyalty but according to righteousness, mercy, wisdom and God’s purposes.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

4. Priestly compassion

The priestly dimension of intercession carries the needs of others before God. The intercessor does not stand above people in judgement. True intercession is marked by humility, identification, compassion and perseverance.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

5. Spiritual conflict is real

Ephesians 6:12 teaches that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. Daniel 10 reveals spiritual opposition surrounding prayer. Yet biblical warfare never makes darkness the centre. We submit to God, stand in Christ and resist the enemy under His authority.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

6. Our weapons are spiritual

Second Corinthians 10 and Ephesians 6 point us to truth, righteousness, faith, Scripture, prayer and the Gospel. We reject manipulation, hatred and fleshly methods. People, political opponents and cultural groups are not our enemy.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

7. Prophecy invites prayer

Daniel read Jeremiah’s prophecy and responded with prayer, fasting and repentance. He did not become passive because God had spoken. Revelation of God’s purpose became an invitation to agreement. This is a foundational principle for prophetic intercessors.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

8. Perseverance

Daniel continued seeking God even when the answer was delayed. Intercessors must persevere without becoming obsessed with the enemy. Maturity is learning to stand faithfully, listen carefully and continue until the burden lifts or God redirects.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

9. Stand for Australia

Carry families, churches, schools, workplaces, communities and leaders before God. Pray for repentance, salvation, justice, unity and revival. Australia needs a Church that will pray rather than merely comment on the condition of the nation.

For an intercessor, this must move from theory into practice. Ask what this truth requires in your own life first, then in your family and church, and finally in the way you carry Australia before God. Biblical authority grows out of obedience; we cannot credibly pray nationally while refusing God’s work personally.

Intercessory Activation

Begin with worship. Acknowledge the lordship of Jesus Christ and thank Him for the victory of the Cross.

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your own heart before praying about the failures of others.

Pray specifically through the central themes of purposes of intercession and spiritual warfare for the Australian Church.

Pray for families, children and young people, pastors and ministry leaders, government and those in positions of influence.

Ask for repentance, salvation, righteousness, reconciliation, courage and a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Listen quietly. Test anything you sense by Scripture, and refuse fear, exaggeration or condemnation.

Declaration Over Australia

Jesus Christ is Lord over Australia.

We call the Church in Australia to holiness, prayer, unity and faithful Gospel witness.

We pray for families, communities, leaders and the next generation to encounter the truth and grace of Jesus Christ.

We reject fear and spiritual passivity. We will watch, pray, discern and stand.

We contend for repentance, revival, awakening and the advance of the Gospel across this nation.

Closing Prayer

Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your Word and for the work of the Holy Spirit. Establish the truth of this lesson concerning purposes of intercession and spiritual warfare in us. Search our hearts, correct what is wrong, strengthen what is weak and teach us to pray according to Your will.

We bring Australia before You. Have mercy upon our nation. Strengthen Your Church, restore families, protect the vulnerable, give wisdom to leaders and awaken people to the Gospel. Raise up intercessors who are humble, discerning, courageous and anchored in Scripture.

May everything we do exalt Jesus Christ. Keep us from fear, pride, sensationalism and division. Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit and make us faithful in the place You have assigned to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

WATCH • PRAY • DISCERN • STAND

WATCH • PRAY • DISCERN • STAND

Author

  • Gary Hoban

    Reverend Gary Hoban

    Reverend Gary Hoban is the Founder and Director of Refinery Life Australia Limited, an Australian Christian ministry committed to equipping believers, strengthening the Church and contending for the nations through biblical teaching, discipleship and prayer.

    An experienced pastor, author, Bible teacher and ministry leader, Reverend Hoban has devoted his life to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, developing Christian leaders and encouraging believers to grow in spiritual maturity and biblical understanding.

    His ministry experience includes serving with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association in Crusade Director and Training, Counselling and Discipleship Director roles, contributing to evangelism, discipleship and the equipping of Christian workers.

    As the leader of Prophetic Intercessors for Australia, he encourages believers to stand in prayer for Australia and the nations, calling the Church to spiritual awakening, biblical righteousness and a renewed commitment to its God-given mission.

    His international ministry includes preaching, teaching and equipping Christian communities throughout Australia and Southeast Asia, with a particular heart for strengthening local churches and developing disciples.

    Reverend Hoban is the author of several Christian books, including HYBRIDS, 365 Daily Devotions, Beyond the Middle East and Contending for the Nations. His writing explores Christian discipleship, spiritual discernment, biblical prophecy, prayer and the Church's responsibility in a rapidly changing world.

    Through Refinery Life Australia, he continues to develop biblical teaching resources, Christian training courses, books and digital ministry initiatives designed to make sound biblical teaching accessible to believers around the world.

    His passion is to see a spiritually awakened Church, believers firmly established in God's Word, and nations transformed through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Full details Get Directions

Print your tickets