These principles1 by Joy Dawson2 shift intercession from a personal agenda to a partnership with God, prioritizing His perspective over our own. This is best practiced in a group, although it can be practiced alone.
The Practice2
Praise God: Meditate on His character: Gracious, Compassionate, Slow to Anger and rich in promise-keeping love (Exodus 34:6-7) to align your heart with His holiness and power. Hebrews 7:25; Psalm 100:4
Clean Heart: Invite the Holy Spirit to expose sin or resentment, then confess (speak about our sin3 like God does) and forgive to clear any spiritual obstruction. Psalm 139:23–24; Psalm 66:18
Spirit Control: Voluntarily surrender your thoughts and words & invite Holy Spirit’s direction. Romans 8:26; Ephesians 5:18
Resist the Enemy: Actively pray in the name/reputation of Jesus and with Scripture any neutralize spiritual opposition. James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8–9
Die to Self: Relinquish your own judgements and desires for how the situation should resolve. Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 55:8
Wait in Silence: Remain in a receptive, quiet state until you sense God’s specific heart for the matter. Psalm 62:5; Habakkuk 2:1
The Spirit’s Word: Obediently voice the specific scriptures or impressions God reveals to you. John 10:27; Psalm 32:8
Finish in Praise: Conclude by thanking Him for the outcome, demonstrating faith that He is already working, even before it is visible. Philippians 4:6–7; Romans 11:36
This process moves you from a place of limited human effort into a posture of divine alignment and authority.
3Note about “sin”
It is not just an action; it is a posture of the heart that replaces trust in God to assert our will, and build our own kingdom. It loses power when we choose humility with public confession.
Am I sinning? Redefining our understand of sin and the remedy for sin.
Welcome to this episode of Humanity 3.0: Faith, Transformation, and the New Covenant. Today, we explore the heart of Christian faith, redefining sin as more than external missteps but a deep, internal condition transformed through the New Covenant. Join us as we unpack how faith, active repentance, and embracing our identity as God’s beloved children le…
Other Prayers
Joy Dawson, “Principles for Effective Intercession,” Youth With A Mission, accessed June 16, 2026
Joy Dawson (1928–2022) was a prominent New Zealand author, Bible teacher, and foundational leader within Youth With A Mission (YWAM). Known as a “mother of the modern prayer movement,” she taught globally on intercession and the character of God.