A couple of years ago, I heard a tape about pastors forming a group of intercessors. The speaker noted several results of increased prayer support, including more converts and more power in the ministry. These results reportedly would surface in about 6 weeks.

For some years, I had written periodic prayer letters to persons interested in our ministry. I decided to start a new list of e-mail friends who could receive a weekly prayer update. At the beginning of each week I would share concerns and requests, and update the previous week's requests. Over the next few weeks, we saw some people converted.

Then one Sunday morning, as lay leader Carl greeted me after church, he told me that my sermons had more power lately. He used that very word. I can study harder, polish longer, practice for hours, but the power in my preaching can only come through prayer. The fact Carl even used that word signaled to me that God wanted me to maintain my prayer intercessors list.

In Peter Wagner's book, Prayer Shield, he creates a strong case for the need for intercessors for pastors and other Christian leaders. Wagner takes a new look at Exodus 17 that clearly illustrates the need for prayer support for those on the frontlines of ministry.

In Exodus 17, we read that Joshua leads Israel's army in victory over the Amalekites at Rephidim. While Joshua battles below, Moses climbs the hill with Aaron and Hur. Exodus 17:11 reports, "As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning." Moses naturally grew tired, and whenever he lowered his hands the Amalekites gained the advantage. Aaron and Hur sat Moses on a stone, then held up his hands. "So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword" (Exod. 17:13).

Wagner notes that although Joshua gains credit as the general who won the battle, the real victory was gained on the hill. The intercessors won the day, Moses as primary intercessor, with his secondary intercessors Aaron and Hur. Joshua surely had his own prayer life, and probably prayed before he entered the battle. But in the midst of fending off enemy swords, could Joshua have focused on prayer? Probably not.

Pastors need to strengthen their prayer lives. Wagner reports the average pastor in the United States prays 22 minutes daily. The average pastor in Korea prays 90 minutes a day. Certainly if pastors desire to be above average, they need to pray more than 22 minutes a day.

Yet Wagner's main point is that ministry leaders need prayer support. They need to pray, to be people of prayer. But when they are on the front lines, others need to be interceding for them. Leaders in ministry also attract extra enemy attacks due to their vulnerable position at the front. Wagner states, "Make no mistake about it, the higher up you go on the ladder of Christian leadership, the higher you go on Satan's hit list."

My intercessors have proven to be invaluable support in my ministry. I've found that, while most Christians pray, some have a gift of intercession. Wagner describes the profile of an intercessor like this: praying for more than two hours daily (or wanting to), a strong desire to be close to God, receiving words of wisdom and knowledge for others, receiving prophecies, a quiet personality, able to keep confidences. If someone fits the characteristics on this list, make the most of their gifts. You need someone to hold your arms up in prayer, and the viability of your ministry may well depend in it.

For thought: Can you list a half-dozen people you know who have the attributes of intercessors, whom you might recruit to support you in prayer?

Kathy Callahan-Howell is pastor of Winton Community Free Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Respond to this newsletter. Write to [email protected].

Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Leadership Journal.
Click here for reprint information on Leadership Journal.
October 21, 2003