These ten elementary prayer instructions about praying for leadership is to strengthen your understanding. You are a fellowship that is highly motivated, flowing in the type of love that has produced exceptional examples of “covenant commitment”. Feel free to review them. Pastor David Harwood

 

Day 1: Monday

Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

Surely Paul was joking.

The Thessalonians were babies in the Lord. This epistle was written to a fellowship comprised of new believers.

What right did they have to pray for this apostolic team? After all, those who are blessed are “less” than those invoking the blessing.

But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. (Hebrews 7:7)

How effective could their prayers be? They were spiritually immature.

Better yet, why would the apostolic team ask them to pray?

First of all, the apostles needed God’s help. Evidently, they believed that the prayers of believers for their spiritual leaders are powerful. Additionally, through prayer, those who benefit from the ministry have the opportunity to participate in what those on the front lines are doing.

Within the context of Restoration Fellowship I am not ashamed to ask for prayer. You are not spiritual babes. You are mighty priest-warriors who serve the Lord together with me.

Consider praying for Restoration’s leaders on a regular basis.

God will answer and we will all benefit.

The need of which I’m keenly aware is described in Romans 15:13.

PDH

 

Day 2: Tuesday

Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

The apostolic team informed them that they remembered them in their prayers.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; (1 Thessalonians 1:2)

Later on they reminded the believers that they did not approach the new disciples with “authority”, but were with them as a “nurse”.

… even though as the Messiah’s apostles we might have asserted our authority. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-7)

Perhaps it was because they responded to nurture, but pretty soon after using the simile of “mom to young children” the relational analogy changed. They wrote that they exhorted, encouraged and implored the disciples as a father would his children.

… we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, (1 Thessalonians 2:11b)

It is necessary to grow up. Grow from helpless to helpers. Yet, the provider-receiver relationship remained constant. Moms and Dads provide for their children. “We, the apostolic team, are providing for you.”

But not at the end of the letter. At the end of the letter everyone’s status changed. They were brethren.

Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

Paul’s team dignified the Thessalonians as fully-fledged brethren. Although they were not in the same category of function they were in a mutual relationship as family.

This was part of their maturation process. They were calling them higher. He was

I can imagine them saying, “This is what mature believers do. They pray for others. We pray for you. Follow our example. We need your prayers as much as you need ours.”

If Restoration Fellowship is to enter into God’s promises and purposes we are going to need the God Who promised to act. Please pray for me and for the leadership of our fellowship.

Consider praying for Restoration’s leaders on a regular basis.

God will answer and we will all benefit.

Pray, in particular, for me, that I would fulfill the exhortation of Romans 12:12. (I’d like you to look up the verse. It will stick with you longer if you do.)

Brethren, pray for us. (1 Thessalonians 5:25)

PDH

 

Day 3: Wednesday

I’m seeking to strengthen the intercessory ministry of Restoration Fellowship for the leadership. I see this as strategic, not self-serving.

There is a pattern for this primarily found in the epistles. Look at this:

… pray for us… (2 Thessalonians 3:1b)

Here is the apostolic company asking for prayer. I would have hoped they had their own “prayer life”. Paul, why not just ask Timothy and Silvanus to pray for him? Why ask these spiritual children?

Sometimes when we’re in the middle of a trial it helps to have others who are more objective pray about the situation.

These men were asking for prayer for the message. It is right that those who have benefitted from the word they preached would pray that others would also receive help.

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;  ² and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.  ³ But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

I’ve seen attack, resistance and retaliation against messengers of God. Sometimes the adversary works through people who are adverse to the message. Sometimes spiritual forces who are at enmity with the One who commissioned the messenger motivate people who seek to destroy the human messengers.

At all times, the Lord is faithful. He strengthens and protects his people. Since that is the case, why pray?

The Lord’s faithfulness is heightened and released through the prayers of God’s people. It is manifest in strength to overcome, and protection from, what could overwhelm.

Please consider prioritizing regularly praying for me. The Lord will answer your prayers.  And pray for the message I’m carrying, that the “Word” would spread. And pray for protection over us, as well.

Once again, when you pray please stress encounter with God that would produce the results promised in Romans 15:13

Thanks,

PDH

 

Day 4: Thursday

Pray for us… (Hebrews 13:18a)

Whoever wrote Hebrews penned awe-striking, alarming, revelatory exhortations. I would have thought the author would present himself to be atop a mountain looking down on those with whom he corresponded. Instead, towards the end of the letter he humbles himself and asks for prayer. Here’s the passage:

Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a good conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things.  ¹⁹ And I urge you all the more to do this, so that I may be restored to you the sooner. (Hebrews 13:18-19)

These leaders, and the primary leader amongst them, relied upon God. They “desired to conduct themselves honorably in all things”. Wouldn’t it make sense for the ones who exhorted others to holy behavior to present themselves as “… needing nothing …” (Revelation 3:17b)?

Shouldn’t they present themselves as spiritually self-sufficient? After all, all they needed was Jesus.

Instead they asked for prayer.

They recognized that their consistent godly conduct had to be empowered and sustained by the Creator.

Additionally, they wanted to see the believers again. Was the primary author in jail? Was he somehow unable to visit? Or, perhaps, was he intending to come, or maybe he was en route. No matter, he knew God would help accomplish the necessary logistics through their prayers.

To his mind, the leader’s character, escaping the snares of the adversary, and favorable logistics were dependent on their prayers.

Consider praying for me, Elaine and Rosanne on a regular basis.

Romans 15:13 is a benediction that God wants to answer. Please use it as a guide.

PDH

 

Day 5: Friday

Well, this is a little much. Read this closing exhortation in Romans 15.

Now I urge you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus (the Messiah) and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God for me, (Romans 15:30)

Look at this, “strive together with me in your prayers .. for me”.

Here is something I’ve overlooked in the Text. Paul prayed “for” himself. Plus, he took himself and his ministry so seriously that he agonized in prayer for himself.

The word “strive together” is sunagonizomai. If you look at that word you can see the word “agonize” in it. To agonize together in this Greek word didn’t mean, “share my pain”, it meant, “share my struggle”, “fight alongside”.

I urge you, in the Name of Jesus, by the love of the Spirit…

Look at this!

Paul’s understanding was that he could invoke the Lordship of the Messiah in this exhortation. He evidently believed that Jesus wanted people to pray for Paul and that if they prayed for him they were being obedient to the Messiah. That is very bold, or … very revelatory.

Next we see the apostle using this phrase, “and by the love of the Spirit”.

Perhaps Paul believed the Spirit loved him so much, and so desired to utilize Paul in God’s loving purposes, that he could rely on God’s love to motivate the believers to pray for him. Or, maybe Paul was calling forth the Spirit’s love for him that was already resident in the believers.

Either way the Spirit’s love was involved in this. The believers were to be motivated by love.

Those who heard this call to prayer were submitting to Jesus’ will and demonstrating the Spirit’s love. I think they would ultimately experience the Spirit’s love for Paul.

If this wasn’t strategic it was narcissistic.

I believe it was strategic.

Consider regularly praying for me. At this time I’m looking to God to fill me with all joy and peace as I rely on Him that I might abound in triumphant anticipation by the Holy Spirit’s power. My desire is to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that (our) toil is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)”

Romans 15:13,

PDH

 

Day 6: Monday

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of the Messiah, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak (Colossians 4:3-4)

(Sarcasm alert:) I guess Paul didn’t have that “breakthrough anointing” many talk about.

(Reality check:) Instead, he actually asked for prayer that God would open “a door for the word”.

The apostle needed God’s help in two ways. First, that a door would be opened for the message. Next, that he would have the opportunity to speak and be able to speak with clarity.

Paul, aren’t you sent?

Paul, aren’t you gifted?

Why do you need prayer?

Have you ever heard the sentiment, “Prayer doesn’t change things, prayer changes you”? This way of thought was foreign to the writers of the Bible. Certainly there is no hint of this in Paul’s writings.

Paul did not ask the believers to pray so they might grow spiritually. He sincerely expected that if they prayed for him doors would open for the message he carried. In addition, Paul believed he would be supernaturally helped to communicate if they prayed for him.

If Paul needed God’s help and asked for the prayer-assist of these believers then we have a precedent to ask for prayer. I can with good conscience ask you to pray for me and our pastoral team.

Ephesians 4 speaks of people who are given as gifts to the churches. Speaking to family (Restoration Fellowship), may I confide in you? Please don’t repeat this, but in a number of places, movements and regions people are receiving our ministry in beneficial ways.

There is a mystique the traveling minister carries. Often there is a respect given that has not necessarily been earned.

There is no mystery here at home as to who I am, what I’m really like, etc. Consequently, there is a need for more enabling-favor for our ministry at Restoration than when I’m on the road.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and among his own relatives and in his own household.” And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around the villages teaching. (Mark 6:4-6)

Concerning our ministry here. Please pray that our (Restoration’s) hearts would be open and that the Lord would grant me clarity as I proclaim His word.

One further thing, I’d like to minister to us out of the foundation of “confident expectation”. Please remember to pray for me and the pastoral team according to Romans 15:13.

Agape,

PDH

 

Day 7: Tuesday

After asking for prayer (Colossians 4:3-4) the apostle gave them an example of what prayer looked like. He asked them to see Epaphras as a pattern.

Epaphras, who is one of your number, a slave of Jesus the Messiah, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly (agonizomenos) for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)

Agonizomenos has the word “agonize” in it. As I mentioned earlier in these exhortation this word does not imply “agony” as in suffering. It is used to describe, “struggling to win, contending for, a prize”. This is not a “pain” word, but recognize that after athletes give their all in competition, they are often exhausted.

I would think that this type of prayer for these believers would be unnecessary. After all, look at this description:

and in Him you have been made complete (Colossians 2:10a)

For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)

Why would these complete people who have already died “in Jesus”, whose lives are “hidden in Christ”, need someone to “earnestly labor” for them in prayer? To become who they are, for the spiritual DNA which makes up their system to become actualized they needed God to act.

Surely God would act without this intercession, wouldn’t he?

Apparently not.

God has placed a unique calling upon each life at Restoration Fellowship. For this calling to be actualized the believers need to be equipped. The primary “equipping ministries” to which we will be exposed week after week is through me and the pastoral team. For us to be effective we need God to bring us into all that we are to do and be.

Join people like Epaphras who was always laboring earnestly (agonizomenos) for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. (Colossians 4:12)

I hope to grow in love and anointing that I will stand complete and fully assured in the will of God that Restoration Fellowship may inherit all that Jesus has determined we would fulfill.

There may be some of us who have so internalized these exhortations as to have grown in earnest prayer for us. I encourage you to step into the earnest labor of Spirit empowered prayer for me and the pastoral team.

Please pray for us, for the confirmation of promises and a daily revitalization of faith, hope and love.

Agape,

PDH

 

Day 8: Wednesday

Paul’s exhortations to pray in Colossians 4 begin with this apostolic command:

Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving (Colossians 4:2)

Take a look at the word “devote” (proskartereo). It is used in reference to prayer four other times in the New Testament.

These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. (Acts 1:14)

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

“But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)

rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (Romans 12:12)

Dear friends, this is not talking about a lifestyle of being enthusiastically inspired by the Spirit to pray. This word describes people who have determined to do something and stick with it.

Some people seem to experience anointed, prophetic, intuitive, empowered, explosions of effective mountain moving prayer more than others. Often, those who do function like this have determined persevering, devoted prayer in the foundation of their lives.

“Devote yourselves to prayer…” is a command. The grammar reveals that this is imperative. It is an order given by someone who spoke with legitimate apostolic authority. It is within the same grammatical paradigm as this verse that the next verse is written, “praying at the same time for us as well…”

I have not examined the tense of Paul’s urging people to pray for him. This is the first time I’ve looked at this and I’m impressed.

First, the believers are ordered to devote themselves to prayer. Secondly, within the structure of that authoritative instruction they are commanded to pray for the apostolic team.

Devote yourself to prayer and within that context, pray for me and the pastoral team here at Restoration Fellowship.

Pray for the Lord to prophetically interact with me and the other leaders to confirm promises and purposes He has revealed. Pray for strength that we might stand and “abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13b).

Agape,

PDH

 

Day 9: Thursday

Logistical prayers are important.

At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. (Philemon 1:22)

Paul instructed Philemon to prepare a place for him to stay. Paul desired to be with the believers who met with Philemon and “expected” that through their prayers he would be able to come.

Of course, Philemon was written from jail. This was not a pro forma prayer request. No, it would take God to get Paul from jail to these believers.

At times the logistics of a fellowship’s leaders must be the subject of prayer. Wouldn’t this be covered in the Lord’s Prayer? Why would the apostle ask for this? After all, it is written that Abba already knows what we need.

Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. (Matthew 6:31-32)

Paul knew God, but he needed God to act. He knew that god was aware of his situation but believed that the key to his being “given to” these believers was through their prayers. God does not need their prayers to release Paul. However, Paul seemed to think that it was more likely to happen if they prayed. According to the text, this huge logistical need being met was to be a matter of prayer. In Acts, getting out of jail is not something that happens when the Church is passive. The following is from the Complete Jewish Bible:

It was around this time that King Herod began arresting and persecuting certain members of the Messianic community;  ² and he had Ya’akov, Yochanan’s brother, put to death by the sword.  ³ When Herod saw how much this pleased the Judeans, he went on to arrest Kefa as well. It was during the Days of Matzah,  ⁴ so when Herod seized him, he threw him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each, with the intention of bringing him to public trial after Pesach.  ⁵ So Kefa was being held under watch in prison, but intense prayer was being made to God on his behalf by the Messianic community.  (Acts 12:1-5)

There is no record of fervent prayer being offered up for James the brother of John. However, the church woke up when Peter was put in jail.

So Peter was kept in the prison, but prayer for him was being made fervently by the church to God. (Acts 12:5)

The result of this prayer is that Peter was supernaturally delivered.

Praying for logistical necessities can be a part of your prayers for us. We need a continual flow of resources to be here and to do what we’re doing.

The “inner” logistics we need are the increase of faith, hope, and love. Please fervently pray for the release of revelation and impartation that will strengthen our expectation according to Romans 15:13

Agape,

PDH

 

Day 10: Friday

Finally, finishing these exhortations, I must mention my reliance upon the Lord. I know that we can have great confidence in God’s protection. He really does go before us, and goodness and mercy are pursuing us as well. We dwell under the shadow of His wings and no evil shall come near us. Here’s Paul’s proclamation:

The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. (2 Timothy 4:18)

Just because this is so does not mean we should be without prayer for protection and deliverance from evil. That which we pray for the entire Body can be prayed for leaders, as well.

‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:13)

Since this is the end of my exhortations, let me reference two “finallys”:

Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you;  ² and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith.  ³ But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. … and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,  ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10-12, 19-20)

I am anticipating that all of Restoration Fellowship will begin to (alert! spiritual alert!) religiously (watch out, he’s trying to make us religious!) pray for me and the pastoral team. I believe that some of us who will begin to fervently pray as part of their lifestyle and calling. The Spirit will enable this. We don’t want people to try to force themselves to do that for which they are not specifically called. However, regularly praying for me and the team is not a “special calling”. Everyone should do this. Paul did not appeal to a special class of people. He exhorted regional expressions to pray for him. This responsibility is for everyone at Restoration Fellowship.

Now, if you have been stirred up through these exhortations please contact me. If you’re interested in being part of a cadre of people who specifically intercede for me, me and Elaine, and me, Elaine and Rosanne let me know.

I’ll do my best to restore this ministry in our Fellowship with you.

There will be different degrees of participation according to calling and gifting. There will be times of victorious faithfulness and perhaps there will be times of us falling asleep on our watch.

And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping (Matthew 26:40a)

Nobody’s perfect, but we can mature.

The next series of exhortations shall be about praying for the members of Restoration Fellowship.

See you on Sunday,

PDH