Prayer Shield We are in a spiritual battle

Prayer Shield: We are in a spiritual battle. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ” --Ephesians 6: 12

Prayer Shield: Spiritual battles must be fought with spiritual weapons. “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. ” --2 Corinthians 10: 3 -5

Prayer Shield: Jesus Himself ever lives to make intercession for us. He is our model. “Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. ” --Isaiah 59: 15 -16

Prayer Shield: God calls us to stand in the gap on behalf of others in prayer. “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none. ” --Ezekiel 22: 30

Prayer Shield: We hold spiritual keys with authority to permit or forbid. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. ” --Matthew 16: 19

Prayer Shield: Prayer is the key to open doors for the gospel. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ” --Colossians 4: 2 -4 “On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. ” --Acts 14: 27

Prayer Shield: Prayers make the difference in the success of ministry and missions. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. ” --Ephesians 6: 19 -20

Prayer Shield: Leadership particularly is the target of the enemy’s attacks and needs prayer covering. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ” --1 Timothy 2: 1 -2 Every minister needs a Prayer Guard --people who back them up in prayer as they work to promote the Gospel.

Prayer Shield: God calls us to work in partnership with Him and with one another in the Body of Christ. • Prayer partners are real partners in the work of the ministry. • Regular, quality communication is the key to nurturing strong relationships with your prayer partners.

Prayer Shield: Leaders need to develop three circles of intercessory prayer covering. INNER CIRCLE GENERAL INTERCESSORS CRISIS INTERCESSORS People are busy and can forget you need their prayers. When they do remember, they often don’t know what to pray. They have never been where you are, and don’t know the challenges you face.

Prayer Shield: Effective regular communication is key to maintaining strong prayer covering. • Communicate: – Praise reports – Prayer Needs – Project Opportunities • Timely communication: – – Person to person Telephone Postal Email/web

Prayer Shield: Be sensitive to security issues in communications. • Avoid specific names, places, times • Watch out for photos that show too much • Obtain permission before mentioning another’s name or work

Prayer Shield: Be timely and regular in communicating. • INNER CIRCLE: – Communicate at least weekly – Most specific information • GENERAL INTERCESSORS – Communicate at least monthly – More general information – Highlight prayer points • CRISIS INTERCESSORS – Respond to their input – Express appreciation for their involvement

Prayer Shield: Remember to express gratitude for their partnership in the gospel. • Thank you notes • Small gifts or reminders • Nurture the personal relationship by spending time together from time to time

Prayer Shield: Sample Prayers • • • • • Health—body, soul, & spirit Discipline in devotional life Protection from satanic attack Enablement in life & ministry Supply more than adequate for needs Wisdom & integrity in stewardship Filling with the Holy Spirit Mountain-moving, expectant faith Godly priorities day by day Safety in travel, courage in danger Patience with others Boldness & clarity in preaching Abundant fruit that remains for God’s glor Peace & harmony in family & home life A heart of love for all that never fails Compatibility with fellow workers Divine favor & connections Attitude of servanthood to all

Sample Prayer Bookmark • Simple scriptural prayers • Fits in Bible • Reverse side can have names of leaders or your own photo and ministry information • Regularly send updated pieces for partners to keep interest Pray the Lord of the Harvest that He thrust forth laborers… Lord of the Harvest, commission and send out laborers sufficient for the ripe harvest among every people group so that none shall be lost but all come to know You, being disciples and becoming disciple-makers for Your glory! Grant them… Health—body , soul & spirit… Discipline in devotional life… Protection from satanic attack… Enablement in life & ministry… Supply more than adequate for needs… Wisdom & integrity in stewardship… Filling with the Holy Spirit… Mountain-moving, expectant faith… Godly priorities day by day… Safety in travel, courage in danger… Patience with others… Boldness & clarity in preaching… Abundant fruit that remains for Your glory… Peace & harmony in family & home life… A heart of love for all that never fails… Compatibility with fellow workers … Divine favor & connections… Attitude of servanthood to all. . . “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. ” Phil. 4: 19

Prayer Shield: Missionary Prayer. Guard: www. prayerguard. net • Provides short, specific topics for prayer • Sends automatic reminders • Helps busy people pray straight to the point • Encourages scripture-based praying which empowers boldness and faith • Increases frequency of prayers