Pray For Those in Authority
In the wake of the recent news by which the devil wants to steal from, kill, and totally destroy the church of the Living God, I have ached as I pray for all those affected. In 1 Corinthians 12:26, we see that when one member of the body of Christ hurts, the whole body is affected. Think about it. If one part of my physical body hurts, the rest of my body does what is necessary to get that part back into wholeness. So even as we continue praying for healing and restoration for those in Colorado, it is imperative that we pray as never before, consistently, for pastors and leaders, especially in our local churches and in ministries with which we are associated. We are quick to quote 1 Timothy 2:1-2 regarding prayer for our national leaders, but those in authority also include our spiritual leaders. The kind of prayer needed is not where we pray that God will move on them to do what we want or think is best. They need people to pray, declaring the Word of God for them.
Included here is a sampling of Scriptures to use as you pray. I recommend you take the list and write or type out the Scriptures to have them more accessible each time you pray. Add to it as you find other applicable verses in your Bible. Also, it helps if you make these personal by inserting the leader’s name. For example, the latter part of 1 Corinthians 2:16 would be read, “But Pastor John has the mind of Christ.”
Mind of Christ – 1 Corinthians 2:16, 1 Peter 4:1(Amplified)
Will of the Father – John 4:34, 6:38
Wisdom of God – Luke 2:40, 52, 21:15; Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9; James 1:5, 3:13, 17
Knows God’s plans/purposes– 1 Corinthians 2:7-10, 4:1 (Amplified); Colossians 1:9 (Amp)
Divine protection – Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 23, 91; John 17:15; 2 Thessalonians 3:3; James 4:7
Boldness/confidence in Christ – Acts 4:13, 29, 31, 28:31; Ephesians 3:12, 6:19; 1 John 3:21
Humility – Psalm 51:17; Philippians 2:3-8; Colossians 3:12; James 3:13, 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5
Blessed – Deuteronomy 28:1-14
Every need met – Philippians 4:19
Assured of God’s love – Romans 8:31-39
Paul’s prayers – Ephesians 1:15-19; Colossians 1:9-14
Health and healing – 3 John 2; Matthew 9:35; Acts 5:16, 10:38; James 5:16; 1 Peter 2:24
Mercy of God – James 2:13; Jude 21-22
A conduit of forgiveness – Matthew 6:12; Luke 6:37; John 20:23; 1 John 1:9
Not ashamed of the gospel – Romans 1:16
Trusts in the Lord – Proverbs 3:5-6
Speaks to bring God glory – John 7:18 (especially Amplified)
Walks in/by the Spirit – Romans 8:9; Galatians 5:16, 25
It is the Word of God that is His perfect plan for our pastors and other spiritual leaders. Our faith comes by hearing the Word of God, especially when it comes out of our own mouths. When we see human weaknesses, we don’t dwell on them; rather, we cover them in prayer, speaking in faith, because God’s love in and through us covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:4-8) When we see strengths, we also cover them in prayer, since the enemy would like nothing more than to destroy those strengths and everything good that is produced by them. It’s really simple. Let’s get back into our proper places as people of prayer who surround and strengthen our leaders by praying and taking back what the enemy has stolen. Let’s operate in the power that is available to us by praying the Word of God!
© Copyright 2006 Kay V. Stocking
