Those Receiving Ministry

By Justin Jeppesen

This prayer guide, inspired by the chapter titled Those Receiving Ministry in Strategic Renewal’s resource 21 Days of Prayer for Your Church Leader, is focused on seeking God’s face through the following passage.

1 Peter 5:1-11

5 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: ²shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; ³not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. ⁴And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. ⁵Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” ⁶Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, ⁷casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. ⁸Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. ¹⁰And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. ¹¹To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Those Receiving Ministry Prayer Guide

Reverence

Identify and celebrate God’s praiseworthy attributes

Jesus is our Chief Shepherd (v. 4)
God is humble yet mighty in power (v. 6)
He cares for us (v. 7)
God of all grace (v. 10)
He is eternally glorious (v. 10)
He has dominion forever (v. 11)

Prayer Prompts

Chief Shepherd, I praise You for allowing me to partake inYour glory by…
Jesus, I am grateful for how my…(church leader) has been an example to me of Your…

Response

Surrender to Him and His ways

God, I confess that I have not clothed myself with humility when…
Lord, I admit that I have not received well my church leader’s attempt to…help me to receive Your grace so that I can eagerly submit.

Requests

Ask the Spirit to guide prayer over concerns, resources, and relationships

Chief Shepherd, because You care for…(church leader)…help them to cast their anxiety about…upon You
Lord, help our church humbly and gratefully receive the way our leaders minister to us in…
God of all grace, please…(restore, confirm, strengthen, establish) our church by…
God, please help persecuted pastors and church leaders around the world to be firm in their faith so that…

Readiness

Encouragement and strength for spiritual battle

God of all grace, remind our church leaders that they are called to Your eternal glory in Christ, especially when…
Antiphonal Response: “To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen”

*this prayer guide is an excerpt from the appendix of 21 Day of Praying for Your Church Leaders, by Strategic Renewal. Click HERE for more information on this resource.