Setting a boundary is like drawing a line in the dirt and saying to the enemy, "you can come no further." We can see that this is one way we’re intended to pray for protection as we intercede, as we study the Old Testament Hebrew word pagha, which sometimes is translated "intercession."

Jack Hayford, in his book, Prayer Is Invading the Impossible, says pagha is sometimes translated intercession; but sometimes, as in Joshua 19, it’s given a different meaning. Joshua 19 is a rather tedious chapter to read, because in verse after verse, lots were cast to determine the boundaries of the inheritance of land for the tribes of Israel. It’s the idea of "defining the full boundary of the inheritance" that is conveyed by the word pagha. Now, how does that relate to the meaning of intercessory prayer?

The setting of the boundaries in Joshua 19 was the means of determining God’s will for each tribe. The boundaries needed to be set to protect the tribes from anyone moving in to steal their inheritance, from encroaching on what was rightfully theirs. Satan is a thief who wants to kill and steal and destroy what God has given us. In our prayers we must set the boundaries and refuse to give him ground. Our prayers call down God’s power and protection.