Paul says to the Ephesians, "We wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and against rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high places. Take unto you the whole armor of God."
Why do pastors give in to discouragement? Why is it that 70% of pastors quit within the first 7 years and 80% within 10 years?
I'm convinced that all pastors need mighty warriors that will stand with them in prayer and a relentless spirit that will stand with them when the going gets tough.
David had 30 mighty warriors that stood with him in the heat of the battle. David had a connection with these men as he was being chased away from King Saul's palace. Saul was raging with jealousy as David had just killed an ugly giant, but God kept David alive and gave him men he would train to become mighty men of valor.
I'm convinced that every pastor that is going to overcome the pressures and stress and demises out of hell, must have those who will go into the battle with him. Joab was the man who went up to overcome the Jebusites in Jerusalem. David said; "Whoever is first to attack the Jebusites will become the commander of my armies!" Only then did David go in to reign in Jerusalem.
Years ago, a man made an appointment to see John Maxwell who had just taken the church at Skyline in San Diego California. John was informed that he didn't attend his church. John planned a way to quickly get rid of him until he realized why he had come. Bill said, "I'm a layman, I believe God has called me to pray for pastors. I came today to pray for you." That man became one of John Maxwell mighty men of prayer for his ministry.
In John Maxwell's book, "Partners in Prayer." Max Lucado tells while visiting Skyline, John's prayer team inspired him to believe for 120 prayer partners in his own ministry. He says, "From that time we experience record breaking attendance in worship, our income exceeded their budgets, we added 3 new staff members, 6 new elders, witnessed significant miracles, I finished a book on Grace, and the churches antagonism is down and church unity is up." Wow, that doesn't happen because a pastor goes to a church growth seminar.
My prayer today is God will raise up mighty warriors all over the world for pastors. God said; "He gave pastors for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we come into the unity of the faith, unto the measure an stature of Christ." Pastor's have a challenging assignment. Who do you think is going to try to block and hinder their mandate? We all know hell is on assignment to hinder and stop the work of God's servants.
Could you be one of those that God will raise up to be a mighty warrior with your pastor? Could you be the reason that God takes the church to the next level? Could you be the next Joab that will lead the charge, so your church will become relentless, anointed, powerful in prayer, that doesn't back down or away from the fires of hell.
There are some churches that have become relentless in their assignment to win their city for Christ? One man can't do it, but with mighty warrior's who press forward with their pastor, hum, can you imagine what God could do through them?
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