Intercession: A Theological and Practical Guide

Intercession is an essential element of both public and private prayer. Using the Book of Common Prayer and the major elements of the Prayers of the People, Plater explains the construction of everyday litanies, collects, and petitionary prayers, as well as the composition of intercessions for church seasons, holy days, and special occasions. Plater begins by looking at the roots of intercession in the Bible, history, and ancient belief and practice, and goes on to offer practical advice for creating corporate intercessions in the local community. Intercession is a useful aid for liturgical study and planning for priests, pastors, deacons, lay ministers, and worship committees. Small prayer and intercessory groups will find it helpful for free-form prayer that is creative and flexible, yet grounded in prayerbook principles.

About the Author :
ORMONDE PLATER is a deacon in the Episcopal Church who has been active for many years in the renewal of the diaconate. A liturgical scholar and editor of Diakonia, Plater is the Archdeacon for the Diocese of Louisiana. The former president of the North American Association for the Diaconate, he served as deacon at St. Anna’s Parish in New Orleans, Louisiana for over two decades.

Review :
Ormonde Plater has gathered in this book more information, insight, and usable material on the joy and task of liturgical intercession than can be found in any other single place known to me. He provides historical background, an analysis of the provision in the Book of Common Prayer and other official sources, suggestions for using the opportunity for flexibility and creativity to which congregations are invited by the Prayer Book, and much illustrative material, old and new. Leaders of intercessions should find this book immensely useful I found Ormonde Plater’s book to be very satisfying reading. It is a book I would highly recommend for use by every priest and parish worship committee who plan intercessions for public use, by every Episcopalian who seeks enrichment in the discipline of regular, daily, private prayer, and by all who seek a deeper understanding of intercessory prayer. What a wonderful six week group study program this would be for Lent! It should be kept small, with every person having a share in the responsibility for input and with the assurance that their work will bear fruit in the parish eucharist. This book is recommended as a generous and warm-hearted guide for any who are called to lead prayers in public worship. It would grace a church library and find a useful place in a sacristy. Prayer groups will find the models of seasonal biddings a help in focusing their intentions. And for one’s own private intercessory prayer, this book is an excellent starting-off place. The goal of this book is to give people permission and resources to truly pray during worship. Deepened prayer can occur by, for instance, using simple responses to prayer petitions (ones that can be memorized rather than read) and encouraging the sensitive creation of prayers according to local needs and concerns. . . . Christians of many denominations could benefit from Plater’s wisdom by reading this book, but should do so with a Canadian or Episcopal prayer book in hand.