‘Weaving passionate, effective prayer through the fabric of The Salvation Army’
31 Days of Praying for Your Officers/Pastors
“Brothers, pray for us.” (1 Thess 5:25 NIV)
Let the thought sink deep into the heart of every Corps, that their Officers will be such Officers as their prayers make them …” How perilous is the condition of your Pastors (Officers)? . . . whose heart is not encouraged, whose hands are not strengthened, and who is not upheld by the prayers of their people!” …
“It is at a fearful expense that ministers are ever allowed to enter the pulpit without being preceded, accompanied, and followed by the earnest prayers of the churches. It is no marvel that the pulpit is so powerless, and ministers so often disheartened when there are so few to hold up their hands. . . When the churches cease to pray for ministers, ministers will no longer be a blessing to the churches.” Gardiner Spring (1785-1873)
There is no greater gift you can give your Officers and the spiritual leaders of your Corps than to pray for them. Officers cannot win the battle alone … they need committed intercessors to lift them up in fervent, specific prayer. Imagine how the power of God might be released in your Corps if you were to pray faithfully for your Officers.
Officers are human …they face the same challenges that other people do, with some additional ones! They grow tired in ministry … are tempted to sin … and may find it difficult to balance their many roles and responsibilities. They need the encouragement and support of those they lead.
Prayer for your Officer is crucial to the spiritual health of your Officers, their family, and your Corps. God will reward your efforts to cover them in prayer. If you want to encourage your Officers, spiritual leaders let them know you are praying for them. Ask them periodically for any specific prayer requests and assure them you will pray accordingly. It might be helpful for you to use the following prayer guide with accompanying Scriptures, to suggest practical ways to pray for those who provide spiritual leadership.
Day 1
Pray that your Officer will love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in their heart in power and that they will value and follow Biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)
Pray that your Officer will love God with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. Pray that God’s Spirit will work in their heart in power and that they will value and follow Biblical priorities. (Deut. 6:5; Matt. 6:33)
Day 2
Pray that your Officer will cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity. Pray that their testimony will be genuine, and that they will never do anything that they would need to hide from others. (1 Tim. 1: 5; 3:7; Eph. 6: 10-12)
Pray that your Officer will cultivate strong character and uncompromising integrity. Pray that their testimony will be genuine, and that they will never do anything that they would need to hide from others. (1 Tim. 1: 5; 3:7; Eph. 6: 10-12)
Day 3
Pray for their personal walk with God …that their soul and spirit will be nourished and strengthened in their quiet time with God. (Mk. 1:35; 2 Tim.2: 15-16)
Pray for their personal walk with God …that their soul and spirit will be nourished and strengthened in their quiet time with God. (Mk. 1:35; 2 Tim.2: 15-16)
Day 4
Pray that your Officer will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of Scripture and faith in God’s power to work. Pray that they will be protected from the effects of negative attitudes that they encounter as they counsel. (Mal.2:7; James 1: 5-6; John 17:15)
Pray that your Officer will counsel and teach with discernment through the wise use of Scripture and faith in God’s power to work. Pray that they will be protected from the effects of negative attitudes that they encounter as they counsel. (Mal.2:7; James 1: 5-6; John 17:15)
Day 5
Ask God to protect your Officers marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Pray that your Officers will lovingly respect and encourage their spouse, both within their family life and leadership of the Corps. (Eph. 5: 23-33) If your Officer is not married, or single spouse, pray for their relationships with loved ones and those who are close to them. Pray too against the pain of loneliness.
Ask God to protect your Officers marriage and keep it strong as a model of Christ’s relationship with the Church. Pray that your Officers will lovingly respect and encourage their spouse, both within their family life and leadership of the Corps. (Eph. 5: 23-33) If your Officer is not married, or single spouse, pray for their relationships with loved ones and those who are close to them. Pray too against the pain of loneliness.
Day 6
Pray that God will protect your Officers from bitterness if they are criticized. Pray that their prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that they will guard their mind and heart. (Heb.12:15; Prov. 4:23)
Pray that God will protect your Officers from bitterness if they are criticized. Pray that their prayer and devotional life will be consistent, and that they will guard their mind and heart. (Heb.12:15; Prov. 4:23)
Day 7
Pray for your Officers children, and especially that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. Pray that your Officers will provide godly leadership in their home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to scriptural truth. If your Officer does not have children, pray that God would protect their hearts and minds from what could be a struggle of childlessness and that God would bless their lives with the joy of other people’s children. (Eph. 6: 4; Col. 3: 20-21)
Pray for your Officers children, and especially that the pressures of the ministry will not discourage or embitter them. Pray that your Officers will provide godly leadership in their home, not based on fear of what others will think, but according to scriptural truth. If your Officer does not have children, pray that God would protect their hearts and minds from what could be a struggle of childlessness and that God would bless their lives with the joy of other people’s children. (Eph. 6: 4; Col. 3: 20-21)
Day 8
Ask God to protect your Officer from the evil ways of Satan. (John 17:15; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 3:12, Ps. 9:9-10, 91: 9-11)
Ask God to protect your Officer from the evil ways of Satan. (John 17:15; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 3:12, Ps. 9:9-10, 91: 9-11)
Day 9
Pray that God will build a wall of protection around your Officer’s marriage. Whether married or single they will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that they will protect their family time, and or their own personal time. ( 2 Cor. 10: 4-5; Matt. 19:6)
Pray that God will build a wall of protection around your Officer’s marriage. Whether married or single they will be aware of the potential for any improper relationships. Pray that they will protect their family time, and or their own personal time. ( 2 Cor. 10: 4-5; Matt. 19:6)
Day 10
Pray that your Officers will use discernment in use of e-mails, the Internet, social networks and the media. Ask God to guard their hearts and minds concerning the use of free time. Pray that they will be morally pure and that they will wear the full armour of God so that they will not fall into temptation. (Rom. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; Eph. 6: 10-18; 2 Cor. 10:4)
Pray that your Officers will use discernment in use of e-mails, the Internet, social networks and the media. Ask God to guard their hearts and minds concerning the use of free time. Pray that they will be morally pure and that they will wear the full armour of God so that they will not fall into temptation. (Rom. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:16; Eph. 6: 10-18; 2 Cor. 10:4)
Day 11
Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your Officers and their family, to strengthen them for the ministry and provide meaningful fellowship and times of rest. (Phil. 2: 19-25)
Pray that God will bring godly friends and encouragers to your Officers and their family, to strengthen them for the ministry and provide meaningful fellowship and times of rest. (Phil. 2: 19-25)
Day 12
Pray that your Officers will be humble and authentic in their faith. Pray that they will have pure motives and give God glory for everything. (Micah 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7: 17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)
Pray that your Officers will be humble and authentic in their faith. Pray that they will have pure motives and give God glory for everything. (Micah 6:8; Gal. 6:14; John 7: 17-18; 1 Cor. 10:13)
Day 13
Pray that your Officers will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect
their health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom. 12: 1-2; 1 Cor. 6: 19-20; James 3: 1-2)
Pray that your Officers will make wise lifestyle choices in order to protect
their health, especially in the areas of exercise, eating, and getting sufficient rest. Pray for times of relaxation and renewal to balance the stress of ministry. (Rom. 12: 1-2; 1 Cor. 6: 19-20; James 3: 1-2)
Day 14
Pray that your Officers will focus on the Word of God and walk in the fear
of the Lord, rather than fear of people, as they prepare their messages, their sermons. Pray that they will seek to please God rather than people, and pursue holiness rather than the praise of others. (Acts 6: 4; Prov. 19: 23; 2 Tim.2: 15
Pray that your Officers will focus on the Word of God and walk in the fear
of the Lord, rather than fear of people, as they prepare their messages, their sermons. Pray that they will seek to please God rather than people, and pursue holiness rather than the praise of others. (Acts 6: 4; Prov. 19: 23; 2 Tim.2: 15
Day 15
Praise God for your Officers leadership and pray that they will make godly decisions. Pray that they will lead with a shepherd’s heart, and that they will always speak the truth in love. (1 Kings 3:9; 1 Pet. 5:2; Rom. 12: 6-8; Jer. 3: 15)
Day 16
Pray that your Officers will be courageous on the platform in proclaiming Christ, and confident in their use of the Word of God. Ask God to help them to preach with insight, transparency and humility. (Col. 1: 28; 4: 3a; Eph. 6:19)
Pray that your Officers will be courageous on the platform in proclaiming Christ, and confident in their use of the Word of God. Ask God to help them to preach with insight, transparency and humility. (Col. 1: 28; 4: 3a; Eph. 6:19)
Day 17
Pray that your Officers will be people of the “Great Commission”—committed to ‘Saving Souls … Growing Saints and Serving Suffering Humanity’. Pray that they will have a heart to develop a thriving mission programme within your Corps. (Rom. 10: 15; Matt. 28: 19-20; Luke 19: 10)
Pray that your Officers will be people of the “Great Commission”—committed to ‘Saving Souls … Growing Saints and Serving Suffering Humanity’. Pray that they will have a heart to develop a thriving mission programme within your Corps. (Rom. 10: 15; Matt. 28: 19-20; Luke 19: 10)
Day 18
Pray that your Officers will be people of prayer and worship, and that they
will lead by example … teaching the Corps how to walk in a close relationship with God. (1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 1: 14a; Matt. 4: 10; Mark 1: 35; Luke 22: 46)
Pray that your Officers will be people of prayer and worship, and that they
will lead by example … teaching the Corps how to walk in a close relationship with God. (1 Thess. 5:17; Acts 1: 14a; Matt. 4: 10; Mark 1: 35; Luke 22: 46)
Day 19
Pray that your Officers will use wise time management, and that they will seek God’s perspective for their timetable, guarding their time against unnecessary interruptions. (Eph. 5: 15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90 12; John 9: 4)
Pray that your Officers will use wise time management, and that they will seek God’s perspective for their timetable, guarding their time against unnecessary interruptions. (Eph. 5: 15-16; Col. 4:5; Ps. 90 12; John 9: 4)
Day 20
Pray for a fresh divine anointing on your Officers ministry. Pray that God’s working will be powerfully evident both in their personal life and the spiritual life of the Corps. (2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15: 18-19a)
Pray for a fresh divine anointing on your Officers ministry. Pray that God’s working will be powerfully evident both in their personal life and the spiritual life of the Corps. (2 Tim. 1:7; Rom. 15: 18-19a)
Day 21
Pray that your Officers will not give in to discouragement, but will deal with inevitable criticism and conflict by committing themselves into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (1 Pet. 2: 23)
Pray that your Officers will not give in to discouragement, but will deal with inevitable criticism and conflict by committing themselves into the hands of God, who judges righteously. (1 Pet. 2: 23)
Day 22
Pray that your Officers will practice servant leadership, edifying the Corps with wisdom and serving with God’s “agape” love. (Gal. 5: 13b; Eph. 6:7; Mark 10: 43b-45; 9: 23-24; John 13: 5-9; Phil. 2: 3-4)
Pray that your Officers will practice servant leadership, edifying the Corps with wisdom and serving with God’s “agape” love. (Gal. 5: 13b; Eph. 6:7; Mark 10: 43b-45; 9: 23-24; John 13: 5-9; Phil. 2: 3-4)
Day 23
Pray for spiritual unity in your Corps staff, volunteers and among the spiritual leadership team. Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding among the Corps leaders. (Rom. 14: 19; 1 Cor. 12: 25)
Pray for spiritual unity in your Corps staff, volunteers and among the spiritual leadership team. Pray that the enemy will not be allowed to create divisions, strife, or misunderstanding among the Corps leaders. (Rom. 14: 19; 1 Cor. 12: 25)
Day 24
Pray that God will give your Officers a clear, Biblical vision of what your Corps can and should be for His glory, and that they will communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the Corps. (Prov. 29:18; John 15: 16; 17: 17)
Pray that God will give your Officers a clear, Biblical vision of what your Corps can and should be for His glory, and that they will communicate that vision clearly and confidently to the Corps. (Prov. 29:18; John 15: 16; 17: 17)
Day 25
Pray that your Officers will seek God for personal revival, and revival in your Corps and community. (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 69: 32)
Pray that your Officers will seek God for personal revival, and revival in your Corps and community. (2 Chron. 7:14; Ps. 69: 32)
Day 26
Pray that your Officers will think Biblically, with the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2: 16; Col. 2: 6-8; Phil. 2: 1-5)
Pray that your Officers will think Biblically, with the mind of Christ. (1 Cor. 2: 16; Col. 2: 6-8; Phil. 2: 1-5)
Day 27
Pray that your Officers will earnestly seek God’s will and be committed to instant and complete obedience … ready for God to work powerfully in and through their ministry. (2 Cor. 10: 3-5; Luke 9: 23-24)
Pray that your Officers will earnestly seek God’s will and be committed to instant and complete obedience … ready for God to work powerfully in and through their ministry. (2 Cor. 10: 3-5; Luke 9: 23-24)
Day 28
Pray that your Officers will strive for personal excellence and will believe God for all He wants to do in the life of the Corps. (2 Pet. 1: 3; Col. 3: 23-24)
Pray that your Officers will strive for personal excellence and will believe God for all He wants to do in the life of the Corps. (2 Pet. 1: 3; Col. 3: 23-24)
Day 29
Pray that your Officers will be people of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 Jn. 4: 18; Prov. 3: 5-6)
Pray that your Officers will be people of faith and passionate love for God, not giving in to worries, fears, or an uptight and anxious spirit. (1 Jn. 4: 18; Prov. 3: 5-6)
Day 30
Ask God to provide for the financial needs of your Officers and their family. Pray that they will be wise stewards of both personal finances and Corps funds. (Phil. 4: 19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6: 11; Ps. 37: 25)
Ask God to provide for the financial needs of your Officers and their family. Pray that they will be wise stewards of both personal finances and Corps funds. (Phil. 4: 19; Heb. 13:5; 1 Tim. 6: 11; Ps. 37: 25)
Day 31
Ask God to heal any hurts that your Officers have suffered in the ministry. Pray that they will serve the Lord with gladness, and encourage your Corps to worship God with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Is. 61: 3)
Ask God to heal any hurts that your Officers have suffered in the ministry. Pray that they will serve the Lord with gladness, and encourage your Corps to worship God with a joyful, surrendered spirit. (Is. 61: 3)
Prepared by Major Glad Ljungholm - 25 July, 2012
For further encouragement, guidance, teaching or prayer support please contact Major Glad Ljungholm, Divisional Candidates Officer & Prayer Co-Ordinator, North Western DHQ
Glad this is excellent and must be made available throughout the territory and even into other territories. I wish something like this had been available when I was active. Maybe if I had known my people were praying for me I might not have resigned.
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