Thoughts for Life: #22 The Office of Intercessor

C. Peter Wagner tells us in his book, PRAYER SHIELD, "An office in a church goes beyond simply a gift.

My understanding of 'office' is a public recognition by the Body of Christ that a certain member has a particular spiritual gift and is released to use that gift in regular ministry.

This is the foundationial principle of what we know as ordination to the ministry.

Conferring an office takes several different forms, anywhere from the public ordination service of a person who will subsequently use the title 'Reverend' and receive certain privileges from the denomination and the Internal Revenue Service, to the naming of a person to be a fifth grade Sunday School teacher.

Sometimes the person in the office is reimbursed, sometimes the service is voluntary. Either way it has an official recognition.

My suggestion is that churches do something that not many are now doing; Establish an explicit office of intercessor, and give public recognition to those who have the gift of intercession.

We do it for those with gift of pastor, evangelist, and teacher. We do it with the gift of mercy (such as minister of visitation), the gift of service (such as deacon or deaconess), the gift of exhortation (such as minister of counseling) and many more.

I think we should add intercessor to the list.

I am observing that as a part of the great prayer movement now sweeping our nation we are seeing more and more congregations taking intercessors and the office of intercession more seriously than in the past.

Some have added a full-time staff member with the title of pastor of prayer or minister of intercession or some other designation.

We need to be sensitive to the fact that not every individual with the gift of intercession will accept the office.

That is because with the public recognition comes a higher level of responsibility, accountability and therefore commitment. Some do not desire this.

Also, intercessors will be the first to know that in the office they will be subject to a higher intensity of spiritual attack.

It is risky to say, 'Yes, I have the spiritual gift of intercession and I am prepared to hold myself accountable to the Body of Christ for its use in ministry.'

But some are willing to take the risk, and as a result awesome new spiritual
power is being released in churches and communities across the country."

Today’s post - #22 The Office of Intercessor, in the series taken from C. Peter Wagner’s book, PRAYER SHIELD, How to intercede for pastors, Christian leaders and others on the spiritual frontlines. (pgs. 51-53) By Regal Books

The next post- 10/1 from Wagner’s book, is #23 Ministries of Intercession

Pray with me:

Father, may our hearts be touched by this message and challenge. Open our eyes to the need to be intercessors, whether in an official office, or as a helper in interceding for our churches. In Jesus' holy Name we pray, amen.

Today’s Bible verse:

Titus:3:5 KJV "Not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost."

Today’s quote:

- Lynn Karlsen – “When I discover my thoughts are not in line with Scripture, I have to wonder who’s wrong. God doesn’t change. Anything He is, He always has been and will continue to be. He remains true to His character. It is God who restores me to who and what I should be. The good news is He is a loving shepherd who pursues us when we veer off course. The LORD is our gentle, guiding shepherd.”

Some thoughts today:

- You have everything to do with your future. You'll have opportunities to become bitter or to become better.

- God has to change us inside before we can do something for the kingdom.

- If you're a born-again Christian, you are anointed to forgive, as Christ lives in you.

Saturday's post: A Mother's Plea Linda Hill

Sunday's post: 10 Myths About Introverts Carl King

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