Using Artificial Intelligence for Research
My ChatGPT in now my Google. I use it for everything!
Here are examples of using AI for research for an upcoming speaking engagement. In this example we’re researching Prophetic Intercession.
We generate a baseline for ideas, find scriptures, create a few example images. We also probe a little deeper to generate even more details.
We cover how you can use AI for research in the upcoming training seminar, as well as other uses.
Topic Description
Get your ideas going by asking for a description of your topic. In this example, we asked, “For Christians, what is Prophetic Intercession?” Here is the response we received (with a couple of minor modifications):
Prophetic intercession, within the context of Christianity, is a form of prayer where an individual or a group of believers pray under the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, seeking to intercede on behalf of others or a specific situation in alignment with God’s will.
The term “prophetic” in prophetic intercession indicates that the prayers are believed to be inspired or guided by the Holy Spirit, who reveals Word of Knowledge insights, Word of Wisdom directions, or specify spiritual conditions or God’s plans.
Intercession, in general, is a fundamental aspect of Christian prayer where believers stand in the gap for others, pleading with God on their behalf. This could include praying for individuals, communities, nations, or specific circumstances.
Prophetic intercession combines the elements of intercessory prayer with the belief that the Holy Spirit will sometimes prompt individuals to pray in ways that are particularly attuned to God’s intentions or purposes. This might involve praying for specific outcomes, receiving visions or impressions about a situation, or praying in tongues (glossolalia) as guided by the Spirit.
Practitioners of prophetic intercession believe that through their prayers, they can play a role in bringing about spiritual breakthroughs, divine interventions, and the fulfillment of God’s purposes on earth. It’s seen as a way to cooperate with God’s plan and to bring about His kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.
Scripture Research
You can prompt AI to provide scriptures as well. We asked AI, “which Biblical scriptures inform Christians of prophetic intercession” and received the following response (with slight modifications):
Prophetic intercession is not explicitly mentioned as a term in the Bible, but its principles and practices can be derived from various passages. Here are some key scriptures that inform Christians about intercessory prayer and prophetic aspects of prayer:
Romans 8:26-27 (NIV): “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” This verse highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding and inspiring our prayers, even when we may not fully understand what or how to pray.
1 Corinthians 14:1-4 (NIV): “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort.” This passage discusses the importance of the gift of prophecy in edifying and encouraging believers.
Ephesians 6:18 (NIV): “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” This verse encourages believers to pray in the Spirit at all times, suggesting a continuous connection with God through prayer.
James 5:16 (NIV): “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” This verse underscores the effectiveness of prayer, particularly when it comes from a righteous heart.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 (NIV): “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” This passage emphasizes the importance of continual prayer and remaining open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
While these verses do not explicitly mention “prophetic intercession” as a term, they provide the foundation for understanding the concepts of praying under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and interceding on behalf of others in alignment with God’s will, which are central to prophetic intercession.
Illustrate Topic with Your Own Custom Images
Images are a great way to concisely illustrate our topic. We generated a few images very quickly to show prophetic intercession at work. (The images at the top of the page were also generated using AI.)
Instead of spending hours searching for copyright-free images, you can use AI to generate specifically what you need. Not only are the images quickly produced, but they can even have an artistic flair that makes them visually engaging.
A Deeper Dive into Research
Though we have a baseline, what we really want to see are more detailed answers. We follow up our original prompt to ask more probing questions. Here are a few ways we probed deeper for our research.
Biblical Examples of Prophetic Intercession
We’ll start by asking for Biblical examples of our topic. In this case, we asked, “What examples in the Bible show prophetic intercession in use?“
Several examples in the Bible illustrate prophetic intercession or aspects of prayer that align with the concept:
Abraham’s Intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:16-33): Abraham intercedes with God on behalf of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah, pleading for mercy and righteousness. This interaction reveals Abraham’s concern for the righteous within those cities and his boldness in negotiating with God.
Moses’ Intercession for the Israelites (Exodus 32:11-14): After the Israelites worship the golden calf, God threatens to destroy them. Moses intercedes on their behalf, reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses’ prayer results in God relenting from the disaster He had spoken of.
Elijah’s Prayer for Rain (1 Kings 18:41-46): Elijah prays for rain to end the drought in Israel. He sends his servant to look for rain clouds seven times, and on the seventh time, a small cloud appears, signaling the coming rain. This demonstrates Elijah’s persistence in prayer and his sensitivity to God’s timing.
Hannah’s Prayer for a Son (1 Samuel 1:9-20): Hannah, who was barren, prays fervently for a son. She makes a vow to dedicate her son to the Lord if He grants her request. Her prayer is answered, and she gives birth to Samuel, whom she later dedicates to God’s service.
Daniel’s Intercession for Israel (Daniel 9:1-19): Daniel, recognizing the sins of his people, confesses their sins and intercedes for God’s mercy and forgiveness. He prays for the restoration of Jerusalem and the temple and acknowledges God’s righteousness and mercy.
Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer (John 17:1-26): Before His crucifixion, Jesus prays for His disciples and all believers. He intercedes for their protection, unity, and sanctification, praying that they may be one as He and the Father are one.
These examples highlight individuals in the Bible who prayed on behalf of others or sought God’s intervention in specific situations. While the term “prophetic intercession” may not be used explicitly, these instances demonstrate the principles of praying in alignment with God’s will, seeking His mercy and guidance, and advocating for others before Him.
Praying in Alignment with God's Will
You can follow up on questions, diving deeper into sub-topics. In this case, we told AI, “Describe in more detail the principles of praying in alignment with God’s will.“
Praying in alignment with God’s will is foundational to Christian prayer and involves several key principles:
Understanding God’s Character and Word: Effective prayer begins with an understanding of who God is and what He desires. This understanding comes from studying His Word, the Bible, which reveals His character, purposes, and promises. Praying in alignment with God’s will involves seeking to conform our prayers to what God has already revealed about Himself and His plans.
Submission and Surrender: Praying in alignment with God’s will requires humility and submission. It involves acknowledging that God’s wisdom far surpasses our own and surrendering our desires and plans to His sovereignty. Jesus exemplified this in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed, “not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42, NIV).
Listening to the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guiding believers in prayer. As Christians, we are encouraged to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18) and to be sensitive to His leading. This involves being still before God, listening for His voice, and allowing Him to prompt and guide our prayers according to His will (Romans 8:26-27).
Aligning Desires with God’s Heart: As we grow in our relationship with God, our desires begin to align more closely with His desires. Praying in alignment with God’s will means seeking to pray for things that reflect His heart and purposes. This might include praying for the spread of His kingdom, the salvation of souls, the growth of His church, and the flourishing of His people.
Perseverance and Trust: Praying in alignment with God’s will often requires patience and perseverance. We may not always see immediate answers to our prayers, and God’s timing may be different from ours. Trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness, even when circumstances seem uncertain, is essential in prayer (Psalm 27:14).
Acting in Faith: Praying in alignment with God’s will involves not only praying but also acting in faith. This may mean stepping out in obedience to what God has revealed to us through prayer and His Word, even if it requires courage or sacrifice.
Overall, praying in alignment with God’s will is about seeking to partner with God in His purposes for the world, trusting in His wisdom and goodness, and allowing His Spirit to guide and shape our prayers according to His heart.
Advocating for someone in prophetic intercession
We can ask for directions to help start an outline for instructions. In this case, we wanted instructions for applying a related sub-topic. We stated, “For Christians, tell how to use prophetic intercession to advocate for someone.“
Listen to God’s Heart:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal specific needs or situations.
- Spend time in prayer, seeking God’s insights and desires.
Pray with Divine Insight:
- Receive prayer requests directly from God.
- Pray back to Him what is on His heart for that person or situation.
- Let God’s burden become your own.
Specificity and Targeting:
- Be specific in your prayers. Pray according to God’s revealed purposes.
- Advocate for individuals, cities, or nations based on His guidance.
Persistence and Passion:
- Like the prophetess Anna, persistently intercede.
- Cry out day and night with fasting and prayer.
- Let a consuming vision of God’s will sustain you.
Remember, prophetic intercession aligns your prayers with God’s intentions, bringing transformation and breakthrough.
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(Please note that we will be conducting a Refresh and Advance course for those that took the original course last year. Look for details coming soon.)