Levels of Intercession
Pastors need to be surrounded with prayer
partners who uphold them in serious, systematic, Spirit led
pray. The New Testament
writers often remind their readers, Pray for us. (1
Thessalonians 5:25; 2 Thessalonians 3:1, Hebrews 13:18)
You are invited to become a Pastor’s Prayer Partner
at one of the following levels.
Level One:
At this
level, the pastor is added to your prayer list and you regularly
pray for the general needs and ministries of your pastor.
Level Two: This
involves prayer for specific ministries at designated times, for
example when the pastor is involved in special counseling,
speaking, or administrative ministries. One aspect of this
takes place Sunday mornings when teams of prayer partners take
turns praying for the pastor as he ministers the Word of God.
Level Three: At the the third level, the
prayer partner, usually a gifted intercessor, allows themselves
to be led by the Spirit of God in intense, private seasons of
prayer for the pastor as they engage in spiritual warfare on his
behalf.
Pray because...
1. The
spiritual battle is real: Romans 15:30, I urge you,
brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the
Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.
2. Spiritual battle requires spiritual power:
Mark 9:28-29, After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked
him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied,
"This kind can come out only by prayer."
3. Spiritual
leaders need intercessors: Philippians 1:19, for I know
that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of
Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my
deliverance.
Pray for...
1. Protection
from the evil one: John 17:15, My prayer is not that you
take them out of the world but that you protect them from the
evil one. II Thessalonians 3:2, And pray that we may be
delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith.
2. Who to
recruit for ministry: Acts 1:24, Then they prayed,
"Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you
have chosen"
3. The pastor
to have God’s priorities: Acts 6:4, "...and will give
our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word."
4. A Spirit of
wisdom: Ephesians 1:17, I keep asking that the God of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit
of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
5. Inner
strength and power: Ephesians 3:16, I pray that out of
his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his
Spirit in your inner being
6. Boldness in
ministry: Ephesians 6:19, 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
7. Spiritual
discernment: Philippians 1:10, so that you may be able
to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the
day of Christ
8. Firmness,
maturity, and confidence: Colossians 4:12, Epaphras, who
is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He
is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm
in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
9. Physical
and spiritual health: 3 John 1:2, Dear friend, I pray
that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with
you, even as your soul is getting along well.
10. That the
Word be honored & spread: II Thessalonians 3:1, Finally,
brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread
rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you.
Pray with...
1. Yieldedness
to the Holy Spirit: Romans 8:26, In the same way, the
Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to
pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans
that words cannot express; Ephesians 6:18, And pray in the
Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all
the saints; Jude 1:20, But you, dear friends, build yourselves
up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
2. Joyfulness,
patience, & faithfulness: Romans 12:12, Be joyful in
hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
3. Awareness
of specific needs: 1 Corinthians 14:15, So what shall I
do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my
mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my
mind.
4. Confidence
that God answers prayer: James 5:17, Elijah was a man
just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it
did not rain on the land for three and a half years.
