In a typical year, thousands of Christian leaders leave the ministry. Our “professional” staff is increasingly beat up, discouraged, burned out, frustrated, tired, isolated, and running on empty. Their wives are usually hurting as badly or worse. This ought not to be. All of them could be far more victorious and fruitful for the kingdom if they had the effectual fervent intercession of their people.
Spiritual leaders should be our most prayed-for people. Without prayer, spiritual leaders will accomplish only what they can do in the power of their flesh, which is our tendency with a talented, energetic, educated, well-funded, and well-staffed organization. But with prayer, God will do what He can do. Each leader needs a support-base of trained, seasoned intercessors, who will be committed to lifting up his or her needs each day. As long as Moses held up his hands, God’s side prevailed in the battle for the kingdom in the valley below. When he tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside to hold his hands up until the victory was won.
David knew the power of surrounding himself with battle-seasoned fighters whom he called his “mighty men.” (Using this Scriptural term does not exclude women who are mighty women of prayer.) They were faithful to guard him from danger, to defend him, and to win battles for him. They were covenantally committed to him. This translates today to effective, serious intercessors who are called of God and who faithfully pray for spiritual leadership.
Study the brave and victorious actions of David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:8-39. Study their exploits on David’s behalf and especially their character in 1 Chronicles 11:10-12:40. They were brave warriors who strengthened themselves in the Lord with David. They lived and fought in close fellowship with David. They were experienced soldiers, helpers in war. They were ready for battle, fully armed with every weapon and skill. They stationed themselves in their place at all costs, united in purpose and undivided in loyalty. They were courageous, fearless, and faithful men who strongly supported their leader. They willingly took risks for him, persevering against impossible odds. They got God’s assignments, acted in the power of the Spirit, understood the times, and listened to God to know what to do (1 Chronicles 12:18,32).
Unfortunately, today the body of Christ is usually a very disjointed army of God. You as a member of the body are called to be mighty man of prayer for your spiritual leaders. Pray that your spiritual leader with lead your fellowship of believers to have a sense of the possibility of God. Pray that you will be a fellowship of men and women who seek God, love him, and follow him with the anointing of Spirit that produces vitality in body life.
Pray diligently that your spiritual leadership will be an example of how to seek God, will demonstrate how they follow the Holy Spirit, will challenge you with the word that God has for the church, will equip you by teaching you how to apply the Word, and will release you to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. People in this kind of spiritual community can best live in the vitality of the anointing of the Spirit and be right with God to do the work of Jesus in the world
to preach Good News to the poor,
to proclaim freedom for prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
Luke 4:18-19.
You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/blog/2011/05/20/sg_mighty-men-of-prayer/
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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com
