They know God, not merely facts about Him.
They become acquainted with His heart, character, ways, boundaries, judgments, and what pleases Him.
The foundation of Courts of Prayer
Friendship with God.
Not friendship in a general human sense, but a life of nearness, trust, revelation, covenant, and intercession with God Himself.
What we mean
God does not only seek servants. He draws people near as friends.
The call to intercession begins with the call to become a friend of God.
Jesus told His disciples that He no longer called them merely servants. He called them friends because He had made known to them what He received from the Father. Friendship with God is therefore not sentimental language. It describes a relationship in which God makes His heart, ways, counsel, and burdens known.
Read: Isaiah 41:8 · James 2:23 · John 15:14–15 · Amos 3:7
Marks of a friend of God
A friendship that changes the person who carries it.
They receive access to God’s counsel.
God entrusts them with His burdens and mysteries. They learn what is on His heart concerning people, the Church, and nations.
They preserve what is entrusted.
They do not feel compelled to publicize every revelation. Deep access produces discretion; some things are entrusted, not announced.
They enter covenant that reaches generations.
Their history with God affects more than their own lifetime. Friendship with God establishes promises and consequences that touch generations unborn.
They become intercessors.
Knowing God’s heart makes indifference difficult. His burden becomes their burden, and they stand before Him on behalf of others.
They appeal to God’s character.
They plead with God to remain gracious and kind, to remember His covenant, and to act consistently with the character He has revealed.
Biblical portraits
Friends whom God allowed to stand near.
Abraham: the friend who pleaded
When God disclosed His intention concerning Sodom, Abraham drew near and appealed to the Judge of all the earth to act righteously and show mercy. Friendship gave access; access became intercession.
Genesis 18:17–33 · Isaiah 41:8 · James 2:23
Moses: the friend who appealed to covenant
Moses spoke with God with extraordinary nearness. When Israel sinned, he pleaded for God’s presence, reputation, promise, and covenant rather than abandoning the people.
Exodus 32:9–14 · Exodus 33:11–17
Jesus and His disciples: friends who are told
Jesus connected friendship with obedience and disclosure. A servant may carry out an instruction, but a friend is brought into the Master’s counsel.
John 15:14–15
The prophets: servants who hear God’s counsel
God reveals His counsel before He acts. The privilege of hearing creates the responsibility to pray, speak faithfully, and steward revelation without exploiting it.
Amos 3:7 · 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
The progression
Friendship with God gives access. Access gives burden. Burden becomes intercession.
And intercession changes the intercessor: speech, motives, ambition, money, priorities, discretion, and the handling of revelation all come under God’s transforming influence.