New Covenant Fellowship

Pray for Your Leaders                                          

 By Gordon A. Wright                         Verses to proclaim             

In I Timothy 2:1,2 the work of the Lord through Paul the apostle speaks to us clearly, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”


            If these verses apply to the secular authorities of our land how much more might they apply to those who have spiritual authority in our lives.

 

            It behooves us to pray for and to cover spiritually those who have responsibility for the flock of God.  It is to our advantage and safety to strengthen through prayer the shepherds and watchmen of our souls.

 

“For they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

 Hebrews 13:17

 
            C. Peter Wagner, professor of Church Growth at Fuller Theological Seminary, recently wrote a book called, “Prayer Shield:  How to Intercede for Pastors, Christian Leaders and Others on the Spiritual Front Lines,”

 
In and excerpt from the fly leaf of Dr. Wagner’s book he states;

“Pastors, teachers and all types of leaders depend a great deal on those who are praying for them – people like you, who realize the importance of coming to their aid.  The enemy knows where our leaders are vulnerable, and he attacks them at their weakest point.  Through intercessory prayer, however you – a mere human – can stand in the gap for them.  You can influence the actions of an almighty and all-powerful God…If intercessory prayer is missing – the full extent of God’s power is often stifled in the lives and ministries of our leaders.”

 
            The Apostle Paul was never shy about soliciting prayer for himself.  He well knew the power of the prayers of God’s people on behalf of spiritual leadership.

 
            In Romans 15:30-32 he goes as far as to beg for the prayers of the brethren,

“Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me, that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that me service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.”

 
            The early church knew the power of prayer and they were faithful to pray on behalf of their leadership.  Can we do any the less.


            In a day when spiritual leadership is so obviously targeted by the forces of darkness we need to evermore pray and intercede on their behalf.

 
            Will you be found faithful in this great work of prayer?  The health and welfare of the body of Christ and especially your leadership may well depend upon it.

 

Jesus Inn Ministries, Inc.
P.O. Box 50226
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74150