Ministry Intercessions
There are several personal prayer requests
recorded in the scriptures by the Apostles.
These requests give us insight into many of the important issues in
vocational ministry. Following is a brief synopsis of eight of these
requests plus one from Jesus.
Pray to live an honorable life:
“Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience
and desire to live honorably in every way.” Heb 13:18. Effective ministry is grounded in a
consistent honorable life. Live a
biblical life for the sake of Christ, the church, and yourself. When ministers live holy lives they
experience the abundant life Jesus promised, they protect and build the church,
and they bring honor to the name of Jesus Christ.
Pray for God’s protection: “And pray that we may be delivered from
wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will
strengthen and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Th 3:1-2. Effective ministry requires eagerness for
the fray. Spiritual warfare is a
reality; especially for those who are leaders in the church. Resist the devil by clothing yourself with
the armor of God and living in prayer.
Pray for a healthy relationship with the church: “I
particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.” Heb 13:19. Effective ministry requires love for the
church. Christ loved the church and gave
himself up for her. The church is a
spiritual hospital and is a bit messy.
Don’t allow the “patients” who don’t get well, or the “patients” who
injury you, or imperfect co-workers to rob you of Christ’s love for the church.
Pray for open doors: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful
and thankful. And pray for us, too, that
God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of
Christ, for which I am in chains.” Col 4:2-3.
Effective ministry requires obedience to God. Entering the open doors God
sets before you is critical to fruitful ministry. Paul was in chains when he sent out this
prayer request. He didn’t ask to be
delivered from prison; rather that God would open doors to him to share the
message. John Wesley’s following
Covenant Prayer (modern English version) embodies the desired attitude of every
minister:
“I am no longer my own, but
yours. Put me to what you will, rank me
with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed
for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me
be full, let me be empty., let me have all things, let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things
to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious
and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So
be it.”
Pray to declare the message clearly: “Pray
that I may proclaim it (the message) clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders,
make the most of every opportunity. Let
your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone.” Col 4:4-6.
Effective ministry requires wisdom.
Speaking the truth in love, using terminology understood within the
culture where you minister, and earnestly praying to be led by the Spirit in
your presentation of the gospel is essential.
Pray for courage to declare the message: “Pray
also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I
will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an
ambassador in chains. Pray that I may
declare it fearlessly, as I should.” Eph 6:19-20. We live in an increasingly post-Christian
culture and courage is required to proclaim God’s word. Furthermore, God’s call stretches us beyond
our normal abilities and requires a deep dependence on him. As we seek his guidance and by faith obey
him, he will provide the courage we need to do what he has called us to do.
Pray for the message to spread rapidly and be honored: “Finally,
brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be
honored, just as it was with you.”2 Th 3:1.
We plant and water, but God makes it grow. It is the Father who draws people to himself
and as co-workers with God we must be faithful to our task trusting God to convince
men and women of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and draw people to
himself. Paul ministered in places like
Thessalonica where the message spread rapidly.
And, he ministered in places like Athens where it did not. Apply yourself to God’s call, pray fervently
for the message to spread rapidly and be honored, and abandon the outcome to
God.
Pray for more ministers: “Then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, ‘The
harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his
harvest field.’” Mt 9:37-38. The
work of the ministry is not a solo; it is a symphony. One voice, one passionate emphasis, one
paradigm of ministry is not nearly enough.
Pray for more workers and welcome the addition of others to the army of
God in your part of the world and around the globe.
“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant
brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,
equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and
ever. Amen.” Heb 13:20-21
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