Fervent Prayer: Leadership

 ” Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers”  Acts 15:22 ESV

As we have been studying the book of Acts, we see a continuous theme of a commitment to prayer and seeking the leading of the Holy Spirit. This passage begins: ’Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church. . .’  It seemed good, because they had prayed about it and felt led by the Holy Spirit to send these men. Likewise, let’s pray that every decision that our leadership makes at Mercy Hill is guided by the Holy Spirit. The passage then names the two men being sent (Paul and Barnabas) as well as two additional men added to the team (Barsabbas and Silas). Just as the four men needed to be unified in their objective, we can pray for unity amongst the staff at Mercy Hill. 

The book of Acts has ample evidence that this brand new Body of Christ was already involved with what we might call ‘staffing’.  The details may be different today, but just as in the Acts 15 passage, there are people at Mercy Hill who have been called to serve in positions of leadership. However, it is only through the empowering of the Holy Spirit, not through their own talents and strengths, that they can serve effectively. We can pray that they are so equipped.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV

Because the passage implores the brothers and sisters to stand firm, it is clear that the possibility exists to not stand firm. We can pray that those in leadership stand firm. And lastly, ‘know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain’. It is common for people in leadership to feel discouraged. One reason is that they are keenly aware of how much is still to be done. Pray that God continues to encourage.

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Today, let’s focus our prayers on our Leadership:

• Pray that the elders decisions would always be guided by the Holy Spirit.

• Pray that our teaching pastors in all three locations will be inspired by the Holy Spirit.

• Pray for unity amongst our staff.

• Pray for the ministry leaders, that they will be equipped for they have been called to do.

• Pray that our Sunday School teaching has eternal value for our children.

• Pray that our leaders are encouraged.

FERVENT: CHURCH LEADERSHIP

Heb 13:17-19 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner. Whenever the Bible gives an instruction it’s because the instruction is needed. The people in this church were groaning about their leaders. It says here about those men who were leading, “for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give account.” So whether or not the people appreciated them, these leaders were going to stand watch. The instruction to the people here is to bless the leaders by not grumbling and groaning. The writer asks for prayer too. Prayer for what? That he, the leader, would be restored to them again! So here we have a people who are groaning about their leader and yet the leader’s desire is to be with them. This make me think about Jesus and His desire to be with me. Look what the next verses say! Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Jesus desired to be with me so He spilled His own blood as a sacrifice for everything that was and is wrong with me, my sin. My God is seeking my good which is to do His will in which I’ll be pleasing to Him. You see, these leaders were men who understood the gospel of grace that is in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just a few verses previous the writer of Hebrews wrote about how the people should consider the lives of their church leaders. Heb 13:7-9 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, The leaders at this church wanted the people to understand and know the grace of God towards them. The writer suggested the people watch the lives of their leaders to see their faith and way of life they had following Jesus. They taught the Word simply without complexity of weird doctrine; but instead taught about the grace that is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ really is the same yesterday and today and forever full of grace towards us the great Shepherd of our souls…our souls…what did that first text say, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls.” That is the heart of Jesus and so that is the heart leaders have had worked into them by Him to be His “watchman” in His church.