2019 OPERATION 18-18 (DAY 24) – STRATEGIC PRAYING I

There is a way to pray strategically. If you look at the type of prayers that our Lord Jesus Christ prayed, you will see the depth of wisdom that was wrapped up in his prayers. Many times in the place of prayer, we struggle to really know what to pray. In this period of fasting, we need not allow our prayers to be centered only around how things can get better for us immediately. It is good to do this, but we must not be selfish in our prayers. It is so easy to become selfish even in the place of prayer. If you analyze your prayer from the beginning to the end; you will notice that all you want is a God that will actually serve you, a God to use. But if you look at the scriptures, you will find what you should pray. Pray for your national leaders and heads of State. That is strategic because they take decisions that affect you and they operate in the corridors of power that is replete with demons who are interested in controlling destinies, in controlling states and nations. So, what should you pray for leaders? 1 Tim. 2:1-4, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 

The place of intercession is slightly different from the mode of supplication. Take note of the types of prayers that are enumerated here, these are the type of prayers that we should be praying for everyone. In the place of prayer, let us not focus too much on self, there are lives that you can touch and that is where intercession comes in. Intercession is coming against some forces that want to manipulate those in the corridors of power against the purpose of God. One simple mistake that those in authority make can affect everything; can change destinies and then living honestly becomes a difficult thing. Godly living becomes almost an impossibility. Our prayers for them should be that all our leaders will have encounter with Jesus Christ that will transform their lives.

Lack of encounters make people to live on the surface; they live as if there is not going to be life after this life. It makes all the difference if we can have leaders in the corridors of power who believe that everything they are doing is transient, that they are pilgrims, it will change everything. They will see their position as a platform to serve and to send investments to heaven. They will see their position as opportunity to serve, so they become agents of light and not darkness. They become healing agents. The impact of one person who decides to serve can have far reaching effect on the populace; he will leave a legacy. That is why we must ensure that we keep praying for our leaders to be converted. A conversion will bring transformation in the way they think and the way they live. You cannot give what you don’t have. There are spirits that are interested in governance, in power. Every government has a ruling spirit, that is why if you read the book of Chronicles from the Living Bible you see an account of the reign of the kings of Israel and Judah, highlighting the nature of their reign, most of them evil because they were connected to evil spirits. That is why we need to pray for our leaders.

ACTION POINT
Pray for your national leaders today that each and every one of them will have a specific encounter with Jesus Christ the Saviour of man.

TO BE CONTINUED…