Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker, Eddie Long, Ted Haggard and the list goes on and on.
I was awakened early one morning with this thought in my spirit. When all hell is breaking loose around them, when the enemy is attacking them left and right, when the powers and principalities we fight against are raging, who prays for the preacher? When everyone gathers to criticize and blame them for the "churches" apathetic spirit and lack of effectiveness, when people audibly announce their "I told you so's, when the masses gather screaming crucify him, who prays for the preacher?
Where were the praying saints and intecessors when the man or woman of God needed someone to pray against the spirit of pride or the spirit of whoredom & idolatry, the spirit of greed and laciviousness, or the spirit of rebellion and disobedience. Who prays for the preacher?
Do we not as the body of Christians have a responsibility albeit a duty, not to consistently put our mouths on the men and women of God, but to pray for them remembering they too are only human given to the same fleshly desires and temptations as anyone else. We have the power of life and death in our own tongues. We need to start speaking life into our preachers not death. We need to start calling those things that are not as though they were. Speaking what preachers in the Kingdom should be like and not talking about what they're not. I seem to remember Noah was an alcoholic and Paul a murderer. And to blame them alone for the state of the church is inane. There is s shift in the kingdom and the saints of God need to be praying that they as well as their pastors are in position to receive from God. We won't able to go to heaven and say God I didn't develop a relationship with you because of the preacher. At some point we too must take responsibility for the "church" and for its preachers by praying for ourselves, the people of God, and especially those He Has called to tell the good news. Who prays for the preacher, I do.
Father, in the name of Jesus I pray for all those you have " CALLED" to preach the good .red. I cover them and their families with the blood of Jesus. I bind every loose tongue that comes against them. I rebuke the attack of the enemy that would cause them to be seen as snakes in the pulpit rather than messengers of good news. I come against false prophets who would confuse the people and I bind their power of persuasion in the name of Jesus. I speak to the spirits of pride and haughtiness greed and envy whoredom and idolatry lying and stealing and I say go now in Jesus name. I beseech thee oh God to annoint them from the tops of their heads to the souls of their feet with wisdom knowledge and understanding. Order their steps in your word. Remind them that you who have begun a good work in them are able to complete it. I declare them to be pregnant with purpose and greatness in Jesus name. Birth Your vision through them. They shall live and not die and declare the works of the Lord. Let the words of their mouths and the meditation of their hearts be acceptable in your site. Cause them to be on the decrease as you are on the increase. Teach them to give themselves away so that you can use them.
Now God, forgive them for leaning on their own understanding and not trusting you. Forgive them for yielding to temptations of adultery, lying, stealing, greed, disobedience, rebelion,for doing those things you told them not to and for not doing those things you told them to do. Forgive them for all thieir trespasses by omission or comission. God give them the grace to forgive those who have trespassed against them. Grant them peace and patience in this area. Lead them not into temptation and deliver them from the evil one.
We give you honor, and glory, forever in Jesus' name, Amen
Comments