"Every Christian needs intercession.
The little girl in the sixth grade learning what AIDS means needs intercession.
The long-haul truck driver trying to witness to his friends about Jesus Christ needs intercession.
The Christian stock broker wrestling with the ethics of that last deal needs intercession.
The mother and homemaker raising a family of four needs intercession.
I do not want to ignore the need for more consistent ministries of intercession across the board.
But I do want to argue that pastors and other Christian leaders need intercession more than ordinary members of the Body of Christ.
This may sound strange and even arrogant at first, but let me propose five reasons why I believe it to be true.
1. Pastors Have More Responsibility and accountability. Most of us Christian leaders get chills up and down our spines when we read James 3:1, "My brethren, let not many of you become teacher, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment."
All Christian will come before the judgment seat of Christ, but pastors and other leaders have been forewarned that there is a divine double standard.
One for "teachers" and one for all the rest.
In other words, in the eyes of God a given sin is worse for a pastor to commit than for others.
The first problem, of course, is the sin itself and that may be the same for everyone.
But the second problem is the violation of the office, which is even More serious.
When an office such as pastor or teacher (including seminary professor) has been granted by God and recognized by the Christian community, it is a grievous offense to break that trust.
Accepting a position of leadership in the Christian world is running a risk Sin becomes more dangerous than ever before.
And this is one reason why pastors have a greater need for intercession."
Today’s post -#32 Pastors Need intercession, 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. 66,67) By Regal Books
The next post Nov. 5th- #33 Pastors Are more Subject to Temptation C. Peter Wagner (Wagner's reason #2 for why pastors need intercession)
Saturday's post: The Painful Lie Veneal Williams (It makes a difference what we tell someone who've lost a loved one)
Sunday's post: Choose Joy (a story of a cancer survivor)
Let’s pray:
Father, we understand that our pastor(s) need our support, and we are determined to keep them in our daily prayers, and anytime their name comes to mind. May we be found faithful, as Your are Faithful to hear our prayers for them. Help us to tell them of our prayer support, as it will encourage them to know we are praying for them. In the Mighty Name of Jesus we ask these things, amen.
Today’s Bible verse: Prov. 18:4 "The words of a mans mouth are as deep
waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
Today’s quotes: Mary Southerland – “We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for good. We can trust few things in this life, but God’s faithfulness is one of them. When the hard times come,
and the storms roll in, trust God and hold on. He is with you.”
waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook."
Today’s quotes: Mary Southerland – “We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for good. We can trust few things in this life, but God’s faithfulness is one of them. When the hard times come,
and the storms roll in, trust God and hold on. He is with you.”
- Dennis Fisher – “When we become frustrated with God’s apparent delay in answering our prayer, it is good to remember that He is interested in developing faith and perseverance in our character” James 1:2-4 Wait on the Lord!
Some thoughts today: Notes from evangelist Mark Swiger’s
message:
- You cannot separate miracles from God.
- The basis of our faith is miracles… Consider
the virgin birth, Christ’s resurrection, etc.
- Miracles belong to you, if you’re a child
of God.
- If it was God’s will to heal years ago,
it’s till His will today.
- God’s not going to pour out more blood,
for He has poured it out on Calvary, and Jesus said, “It is finished!”
- Jesus didn’t go through the experience
of the Cross for nothing! He really does want to bless You!
- Jesus didn’t raise you to allow Satan to lay a curse on you!
- May the faith of Christ rise up within
you, to come against Satan’s attacks!
- When you’re up against the devil, let the
power of God rise up within you to come against him.
- STIR UP your faith to be successful in
standing against the devil’s onslaught.
- The best way to honor God is to receive
all that Christ died to provide for you.
- God has provided everything for your good,
to bless you.
Saturday’s post: The Painful Lie Vernal Williams (we need to be careful what we tell someone who's lost a loved one)
Sunday's post: Choose Joy Diana Derringer (a cancer survivor's story)
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