Ernest Smith

We talked a couple of days ago about praying the prayers of the Bible. How the prayers in the Bible teach us how to pray and what to pray for. If you want to read the first post on this subject, check it out here.

The Apostle Paul had some incredible prayers. He taught us to never cease in our prayers and he gives us a good blueprint for what we should be praying for.

One of my favorite prayers is found in Romans 15:30-33, where Paul writes, “I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

This prayer teaches us one of the most important things to be praying for and that is leadership.

Throughout history, no matter the culture, it has always been easier to criticize leadership, rather than pray for leadership. It’s easier for me to pick apart what someone does or doesn’t do. It’s easier for me to think I could do a better job. I have struggled with this at different times in my life and when I find myself criticizing leadership, whether that is our president, governor, mayor, or a church leader, God always brings it back to prayer.

God doesn’t open the Heavens and yell at me to pray. But rather I get this small thought in my brain that says “Are you praying for this leader as much as you criticize him?”

I want to be known for my prayers for someone, not my criticism of them. I want to be known for encouraging my leaders and bringing them before God, not tearing them down and wishing God had chosen someone else.

Let’s take time today and ask God to bless our leaders. Whether we like them or not. Whether we voted for them or not. Whether we agree with them or not. Let’s pray for God’s presence to be known in their lives and for God to move mightily in their life and through their life.

Prayer Focus – Day Eight: Leadership at FRCC

Pray for the leadership of Front Range. Pray for all of our serve team leaders, coaches and directors as they help people serve in their passion and minister to people. Pray for our community group leaders as they lead people into a deeper intimacy with Jesus and community with one another. Pray for our pastors as they lead leaders and care for people. Pray for the families of our leaders, that God would bless them tremendous for all they do.