Church Leadership

by Joel Comiskey, 2016

I recently read Peter Wagner’s excellent book,Prayer Shield, with one of the pastors I’m coaching. As we went through it, I reflected back on how Wagner’s book changed my own life twenty years earlier.

In 1996 I was a missionary with the Christian and Missionary Alliance in Quito, Ecuador. I spent a lot of time writing letters to supporters to build relationships. My purpose for writing those letters was fuzzy. As I communicated with my supporters, I wasn’t clear about the importance of prayer and their role in providing a prayer covering. After reading Wagner’s book in 1996, my perspective changed. I realized that I needed to become serious about gathering a team of committed prayer partners who would pray for me, my family, and ministry. I began to write letters (and later emails) with new purpose and fervency.

We are in a spiritual battle and need protection (Ephesians 6:12). One of the best things you can do as a pastor or leader is to proactively gather a group of prayer partners who will pray for you, your family, and ministry. Notice how many times Paul specifically asked for prayer:

• I Thessalonians 5:25: “Brothers, pray for us.”
• Romans 15:30: “I beseech . . . to strive with me in your prayers.”
• 2 Corinthians 1:11: “You also helping together in prayer for us.”
• Philippians 1:19: “For I know that this will turn out for my salvation through your prayers.”
• Philemon 22: “I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.”

For the last twenty years, God has given me a faithful team of prayer warriors that I depend on. I regularly send them prayer requests and then follow-up on answers to prayer. When I send out my prayer updates, I feel a peace and relief, knowing I have a team praying. My prayer shield is my lifeline, not only for me, but also for my family.

Do you have a prayer shield? Are you regularly in contact with them? As you develop your prayer team, your life, family, and ministry will change for the better.

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